TSO-D: Up, Down and Through the Trees

Photos and blog by JC Oliver - thank you!

After Sunday evening’s tool training and spaghetti, we tucked in early for a full first build day. It started with project reveal presented by our lovely Camp Captain Yaz! Everyone got to work quickly brainstorming ideas of how their team could navigate one of the three obstacles: the lava river, the mazes of caves or the towering trees.

Team Nooi brainstorms their cave system themed obstacle course

After the short walk up the cow path (moo!) the teams made quick work of gathering supplies and starting to put together the first parts of their project.

Team Piki building the frame to one of their platforms.

After the first liftoffs of projects, a few tinkerers decided they wanted a little taste of air as well, climbing one of the trees near the build site. Our approach to tree climbing is to support tinkerers in honing their ability to know both the strengths of the tree and their own climbing abilities, and determine where they climb accordingly (all while aiding them from the sideline in risk assessment and mitigation). When the folks in the trees came down, everyone convened for a yummy lunch of panini-pressed sandwiches.

Madelyn taught team Piki how to use the circular saw.

More fun in trees: Jack taught curious Tinkerers twine lashing while helping them set up their stick fort in the shady trees.

Team Kablooi finished their first structure and attached a ladder to go along with it.

Violet and Maya collaborate to drill 2x3s together.

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Lots of people went up to free build after dinner, a few went blackberry picking, and some read/played music/wrote the blog in the conference center. The night ended with homemade gluten free cookies, thanks to Reid, Charlie, Maya, Grant, Madelyn, Isa, Maya, and Grace!

It’s feeling like the start of a great week.