Thanksgiving Break Camp — Day 1

Day one of Break Camp! The project for this short three-day week is to build a thanksgiving dinner for giants! To do this, we've decided we need to build both a "mouth" and a "food delivery system." 

Before we start work, though, it's always nice to get some energy out. Molly and some of the kids do relay races up and down the sidewalk, seeing how fast they can make it down and back... so far, it's looking like the record is 30 seconds. Pretty impressive!

IMG_9609.JPG

At morning circle, Jack and Nick demonstrate how hard they usually try versus how hard they're going to try today.

Before we dive into building, we always go over with a little training to get acquainted with the main tools we'll be working with. Here, David uses the chopsaw for the first time!

So does Siena...

Meanwhile, Cesar and Elijah get acquainted with another useful tool — clamps — by making clamp stairs off the table.

JJ and Laila get a quick tutorial from Max on to use the drills.

With tool training and a quick snack out of the way, the project is introduced and the teams get to work drawing out their ideas.

The food delivery team lists their goals and ideas for their project. Much discussion is had about the making of a taco truck, an idea which gradually morphs into maybe just making a regular food truck (it is Thanksgiving after all, although it is pointed out that tacos can also be a delicious T-day delight), which eventually crystallizes into simply making a "food cube" that will fit on the zip line.

After stopping for lunch and a quick game of charades, it's back to work!

The food delivery system splits off into two groups to build the zip line and food cube. The zip line team starts putting together their launch platform. 

The food cube begins to look like a cube!

Meanwhile, the team in charge of making the giant's mouth has put together a head that will house their mouth. Siena drills while JJ gives a helpful "partner push."

David and Siena put together the corners of the mouth with some serious concentration.

A pulley is attached to the food cube for zip-lining purposes, and the rest of the team adds walls to keep the food in.

Labeling is always an important task.

David and Siena strike a pose while drilling in some teeth!

"I'm drilling like a beast." – Matthew

The platform sides come together with help from everyone.

Sadly, after turning the head, the corners start to crack! We reposition it carefully and decide that we will reinforce it and make sure it is strong in order to receive food — but for now it's time for day one to come to a close. We'll resume building our giant Thanksgiving feast tomorrow.