February Break Camp! Building Our Framework

Sabi helps Aasha get some body weight behind the drill.

We were super lucky to have a bunch of kids that wanted to spend their February break week tinkering with us!

Monday's tool training was much like any other: some kids quickly picked up the finesse of using a drill - most realised they would need a lot more practice; a few kids were stoked to try out the chop saw - and a few were too cautious to give it a try; and some kids began new friendships while helping each other clamp wood together.

Pascal, Romy, Jacob, and Isaac work together to get the hang of clamps.

After revealing the theme - Carnival Games - and first set of projects: Ticket Booth, Ring Toss, and something that never got a more succinct name than "Game Where You Throw At The Targets And It Comes Back To You", the tinkerers grouped themselves by project interests and we were off!  It was obvious very early on that this group already had a good understanding of another tool before they walked through our doors - Teamwork.  

As I moved through the space I heard a lot of voices asking what they could do to help, could they get someone more screws, and could they cut anything for you? Cleaning the shop and work spaces  was quick and easy, because the kids were so eager to pitch in! Awesome.

Ronan and Jayden get measurements during project design.

With all of that willingness to help each other master new tools and run errands on others' behalf, by the end of the first day we had some serious frames done. 

Aasha and Ava attach to walls of the Ticket Booth together.

The thoughtfulness and confidence of these tinkerers also allowed for several other "beyond basic" tools to come out on the first day of camp. It was clear we were going to get complex this week!

Kyler uses the Skilsaw to make a long cut.

Isaac uses the drill press to make large diameter holes for the Ring Toss project.

Ava makes a cut on the chopsaw!