Next to my house I have a huge garage that I turned into my own private workshop. When I was younger I was always interested in doing projects with wood. I loved to build things. I have a 5 year old son who loves to help me out in the shop.
He helps me with almost everything. My girlfriend had an idea that would help young kids from our neighborhood be creative and learn some new fun things. Twice a week we have about 15 neighborhood kids come and have a wood shop class.
I don't charge them anything to join the class. Sometimes the parents of the kids send some donations to help pay for the products we use, which is very nice. I feel that keeping kids of the streets is pay enough for me.
The kids make all different types of things. Sometimes we make projects that fit the seasons, like birdhouses in the spring. We make gifts for Mother's Day and Father's Day. I let the kids think of ideas for projects and the class votes on what they want to do next. This is a great way for kids to interact with other children in a fun environment!
I, too, work with kids. I teach after school woodshop classes using the projects I have designed in my book, which you can find here:www.woodshopforallages.com
I often wonder about ways to make woodshop more accessible and what you are doing is great. I sometimes have the use of a small art school in exchange for building or fixing things for them.
Kids fill my classes every time I offer one, and I have almost become a regular teacher at one school, where I have offered 6 week classes five or six times per year for the past 6 years. Even at schools where woodshop is offered for the first time, I hear that they have 50 kids signed up for a class of 12 maximum.
Kids just love actual hands on stuff. Especially after a day of school work.
As for projects, I design things that use dimension lumber (since I have to bring it to the school) and hand tools.
I enjoyed finding your site.
