Session A: Day 6 - Painting, Testing, Burning, and Reflecting

(written by the JC team: Gretchen, Ana, and Elizabeth) Today is the last full day of camp. So many things need to happen from tinkering with and testing our projects to playing with fire and eating s'mores.

After adding a see-through stomach filled with the moss and leaves the Piki giraffe just ate, the team decides that their giraffe's coat should be burnt orange and greenish brown.

Grant makes full use of the miter capabilities of our chop saw.

Nooi's final step is the implementation of a steering mechanism. They have worked hard all week to have a rolling alpaca.

"Turn right!"

Not much needs to be said here.

As the kids wrap up their projects, we all realize that paint is an excellent finishing touch. This paint station is absolutely beautiful.

Panda struggles to safely attach the Peacock to the zip line. Let us remind you, finishing our projects is not necessarily the goal. Instead, it's the process that counts.

Caroline safety tests the Peacock, fully adorned in kneepads and a helmet.

Kaitlyn joins Caroline on the Peacock for a few moments of glorious flight. But then, we hear a CRACK. While it met the project goal (it hung while holding two collaborators), it was deemed unsafe for campers to ride. Tomorrow morning we'll replace the peacock chariot with a simpler zip line chair.

Woohoo!

Panini pressed sandwiches, quesadillas, and cheese crisps.

The plan...

...the artist, and the masterpiece.

"How can we make the wings safe to sit on?" "Triangle leg braces!"

Safety test number two of the day for Caroline.

The fire is practically a sacred event at Tinkering School. Following dinner, we head up the hill to the fire pit. Using the leftover scraps from building throughout the week, we build a 2x3 Jenga tower as a testament to our hard work. 

Before it gets dark, we go around the circle and relive memories to appreciate each individual here at camp. "Remember Tuesday when you pulled me down the hill on the wagon?"

Fire Ninja Jack works his magic.

We pass around the sawdust collected from the chop saw and take turns throwing handfuls of it into the flames. Oooh. Aaah.

We roast marshmallows, but also Starbursts here at Tinkering School. Raw? Golden brown? Burnt? Charcoal?

Friday is full of activity and by the end of the fire, we see many tired faces. It's time to head in for one last night of sleep. We look forward to showing off everything we've done in person tomorrow. Until then, goodnight!