From Competition to Community Impact: Del Campo High School’s Pig Shed Project

This year marked the 40th anniversary of the Design Build Competition®, CIEF’s signature four-month program that challenges high school teams to design, plan, and construct a 96 sq. ft. structure according to industry standards. Guided by professional mentors and supported by generous sponsors, students bring their projects to life over two intense days of building, where they are judged on design, construction quality, safety, and code compliance.

For Del Campo High School in Sacramento, 2025 was a year to remember. With Sundt Construction as their Team Sponsor, the team, led by instructor Samuel Baeder, created custom L-shaped pig sheds measuring about 3 to 5 feet and designed without floors for functionality. Materials were provided at no cost through the support of sponsors, allowing the students to focus on quality craftsmanship and creative design.

Del Camp High School with Instructor Samuel Baeder at the 2025 Northern California Design Build Competition®

The process was not without its challenges. At one point during the competition, the trailer bearings went out, but the team rallied and pushed through. After the event, they transported the sheds back to campus, reassembled them, and completed the finishing touches including painting and trimwork. This post-event work helped the students earn additional hours toward their career pathway requirements while further refining their skills.
A meaningful partnership emerged when the team connected with Only Sunshine Sanctuary, a local nonprofit dedicated to providing food, shelter, and medical care to animals in need. Soon, the students will take a field trip to the sanctuary to donate their pig sheds, helping support its mission: "Bring Only Sunshine into the lives of the Earth’s precious creatures. Be a loving, caring force that provides food, shelter, and medical care to animals in need. Encourage like-minded community members to come together to make a positive impact in the lives of all living things."  You can learn about this organization at Only Sunshine Sanctuary

The experience is a shining example of what Design Build is all about: developing real-world skills, overcoming obstacles, and using those skills to make a tangible difference in the community. Del Campo’s story does not end here. The team will also participate in CIEF’s CREATE® Competition later this year, continuing to inspire students to explore career pathways that shape the built environment.

Hard work, teamwork, and a finished project to be proud of

Pig sheds so nice, even the goats moved in.