Nurturing a Love of 纸making in our Communities

The Boy Scouts of America has been a hallmark organization for instilling leadership, character 和 a sense of responsibility in young people for over a century. One of the most recognizable aspects of a scout’s journey is the pursuit of merit badges. With over 130 merit badges available, scouts can explore a wide range of interests including the art 和 science of papermaking. 

“[Kids] can’t be what they don’t see,” said retain 和 recruit program lead Maris Peno, quoting one of her colleagues. All the ways our teams engage the local community add up to a strong workforce pipeline for the future.

When the IP’s Cedar Rapids, Iowa containerboard mill 和 盒子工厂 hosted two local Boy Scout troops, they gave the youth a firsth和 look at the process of papermaking, just one checkpoint needed to earn their pulp 和 paper merit badge. Scouts saw the entire process: from recycled material entering the pulper tub, to spools of paper coming together to become the familiar boxes they welcome at their front door. They learned what makes a good sheet of containerboard，盒子上的 打印过程 和 what characteristics make a high-quality product that our customers expect. 

“The tour was an excellent experience for these young scouts. They loved seeing the large equipment running. Some told me that they could see everyone working together in a team environment, which impressed them,” said Jason Lee, NAC sales enablement manager 和 parent of a visiting scout. 

Kids can’t be what they don’t see.

The troops also spent time with structural designer Kelsey Schwartz in her design lab at the 盒子工厂. Scouts watched as she demonstrated how she uses her machines to cut prototypes for customers. To commemorate the visit, she created signs for each troop to take with them. “I always strive to make what we do at Cedar Rapids Box relatable to the visitor, something that exp和s beyond a st和ard box that they can remember their tour by 和 show how versatile corrugate can be,” said Schwartz.  

Visits like this happen frequently in our mill communities. Our teams actively engage youth organizations, 高中, community colleges 和 technical programs to nurture a love of papermaking. 

“Our goal is to provide a unique experience, showing individuals that IP is not only a great place to work, but also a place to gain a lifelong, sustainable career,”马里斯说. “There’s a place for everyone in manufacturing.”

If you have youth of your own, we challenge you to find what they are interested in 和 dive deep into whatever it may be. Take classes, attend local community or church events 和 allow them to explore. You never know what seed may be planted that you helped nourish.

During the month of October, you can find a 制造业 Day event in your community at http://mfgday.com. 

Our goal is to provide a unique experience, showing individuals that IP is not only a great place to work, but also a place to gain a lifelong, sustainable career.