Life at camp: Four women tell their stories

What is it really like to live and work at a camp? For some, it's all about explosives and tunnels. For others, it's about logistics, environmental work or machinery. What they all have in common is that camp life has become more than just a place to sleep between shifts.

We've met Karin (19), Elin (25), Angelica (34) and Elisabeth (30). Four women in different roles - but with one thing in common: they thrive at camp.

- Something is happening all the time

Karin (19) is an apprentice in the rock and mining trade at Hæhre. Her working days consist of drilling, bolting, charging and securing - and she loves the pace

- When I got to try a tunnel during my placement, I quickly realized that this was really exciting. Something is happening all the time," she says.

Between shifts, she lives at 4Service Camp with her colleagues.

- It's important to have a place that feels safe and social. We eat together, talk and relax before the next shift. It makes you enjoy your job even more.

She's the only woman on her team, but feels the environment is inclusive.

- Everyone is nice. I notice that more people think it's positive to have women on the team. It changes the environment a bit

- I live in the countryside and have always loved nature. It's nice to be able to combine the physical work with the peace and quiet I get out in nature.

Karin Skott

Foto: Tor Kleiven

- You become a community

For Elin (25), it's the community that makes the biggest impression. She works as project support and keeps track of everything from barrack rooms and airline tickets to courses and the reception of new employees.

- There are always people on the move. At camp, you become part of a small community where everyone sees each other. You eat together, help each other and get to know each other across disciplines and roles," she says.

She was excited about what it would be like to work in a male-dominated industry.

- I feel very heard and seen. If I speak up about something, it's taken seriously. It does a lot for my confidence.

What she likes best?

- On shift you really become part of the team. That's the feeling I like best about working at the camp, that we're in it together

- There are always people in motion, and I like that energy.

Elin Hoffart

Foto: Tor Kleiven

- It's like a little adventure

Angelica (34) has been driving a machine since she was 20 years old. Today she lives at a camp in Norway and works two weeks on, two weeks off.

- The best thing about the job is that we have fun, she says.

She describes camp life as easy and social.

- You don't have to think about food or logistics, everything is arranged. After work, we have dinner together, chat, watch some TV. There's always something going on.

When she started in the industry, she was often the only woman.

- Now I see more and more people. There's a generational shift happening, and it's really cool. The men just get excited, there's a better atmosphere and more laughter.

For Angelica, every project feels like a new experience.

- It's like a little adventure every time I go to work. We travel to places I might never have visited otherwise.

- I used to work in a zoo. I enjoyed it, but didn't quite see the future in it.

Angelica Olsson (34)

Foto: Johanne Nyborg

- You see the results right away

Elisabeth (30) works as an external environmental coordinator and follows up on everything from waste sorting to process water management.

- I like that it's practical, concrete and meaningful. Every day there may be something new that needs to be solved," she says.

She works in shifts and lives at a camp during the work periods.

- It quickly becomes its own little community. You live, eat and work together. The social environment means a lot, especially when you're away from home for a long time.

As a young woman in a coordinator role, she has had to learn to take her place.

- It takes some time to grow into the role. But when we find solutions together and actually see that it works, it's worth it. You see the results right away.

- This was a chance to build environmental expertise, but also to work more closely with the processes themselves.

Elisabeth Musum Mathisen (30)

Foto: Johanne Nyborg

About the collaboration with Hæhre
4Service Camps works closely with Hæhre Entreprenør on several large projects. 4Service provides everything from good food and comfortable rooms to an environment where people can thrive, even when they work far from home.

The collaboration between Hæhre and 4Service has been important to ensure continuity and well-being during demanding construction periods, and is described by Hæhre as a supporter that makes it possible to keep the wheels turning, regardless of conditions.