[Big Dog]

OK I will try this again, the last attemp just went off screen???

Dave I am interest in hearing more about your "Experiencial Education" and the carving merit badge. I to am in the youth industry and have been for 30yrs. 20 of those years was in outdoor adventure where I use a lot of experiencial learning tools. Age and injury have pushed me out full time. I am now the CEO of a innercity style youth programme. I don't have much face-to-face work now but would love to do some wood craft with a view if I could get them interested. Our youth are very low motivated. Drugs, alcohol and poor parenting role models; a mix to no where. I am a carpenter (no longer professional) and woodturner/carver (just getting back into carving after 10yrs). If you have any thought on carving or wood project with youth e.g. ideas or small projects to share even things that go wrong when working with youth, I would love to hear from you. I have never done woodwork with youth before other than my own kids.

An answer to your question on hanging up tree signs:
How to hang the tree signs without damaging the tree; or even leave a nail in the tree for the saw mill not nice on the wallet. Use old rubber inner tyre tubes (hope that makes sence accross the pond). Screw ring eyes into the back of the signs and attach small hooks to the rubber. Just cut to size, attach to one side of the sign, pull around the tree and hook on the other and you have a tree friendly attachment that will last as long as the sign will. The tree can grow happly. I used this when putting up orienteering markers in the forests. They may get stolen though?? But on a bright note, if you need sign up on a public area, this method is quicl up and as quick sown again. stick them in you back pack and you are good to go.

Keep up the good work with those youth, "you are an agent for social change" thats powerful

[Lightningbolt]

I was refering to the kids. Machines don't bother me. Heck, I still got nine fingers left.

LOL !


Hugo Dale: Thanks for the kind words and your own dedication to youth. I worked with Outward Bounds "Directive" program for at-risk kids back in the '80's for a while but have made a career for the last quarter century with Eckerd Youth Alternatives wilderness camping program, also for at-risk youth.

Your clients sound a lot like those in our program... low self esteem, unmotivated, drug use, and most having some involvement with the court system. Kids come by their own choice as an opportunity to make their lives better living with 9 other similar peers in a wilderness setting for 1 to 2 years. Parents are also part of the treatment plan and take part in parenting skills training.

With that said I have a near 100% success rate in my classes and (trying to hold my ego in check ) woodshop class rates VERY high on what the kids look forward to each week. If you want to be successful working with these kind (or any kind) of kids I would have to say that the most important element is creating a strong atmosphere of enthusiasm. First, find a project that YOU enjoy a lot then scale it down to their age level.

Next, do a lot of preparation and put a LOT of thought into what you're gonna need for a successful class and have it ready ahead of time. Be sure to put a very strong emphasis on safety precautions such as kevlar gloves, lap boards, braces and clamps, plus some basic training and practice time learning the different cuts. Seven or eight stitches do not create enthusiasm! When it's time for class I have to be right there with the kids to ensure safety and success and can't find myself running around the shop for what I forgot.

Having the selected project carved in sequence showing the different steps is a "visual" that answers a lot of their questions with them never having to ask and most of the time I find that it is the simplest of carving projects which are the most successful and the best to start out a beginner. Things like simple raised relief nameplates are always popular, even with the 15 and 16 year olds.

These are just a few hints that work well for me but you'll have to "tailor-fit" them to your own situation and population. Once again, I find that creating enthusiasm is very important and I'd suggest that (if possible in your program) to walk around with a carving project you're working on tucked in your pocket then bringing it out to carve on at the appropriate times. Believe me, kids love to see someone working on a carving! I always wear pants with cargo pockets and the kids are always wondering what I'm working on today. I also always have my "Carvin' Jack" knife on my belt so I can give short informal mini lessons at any time. These kids can't wait to spend time with me in woodshop class because I'm always creating enthusiasm and something for them to look forward to.

Good luck and hope this helps a little. Thanks also for the tip on hanging the tree sign too. Let's get kids carving because it's great therapy!

Edited for my durn spellin" !!!

[Lightningbolt]

Oh, I forgot to mention... I will most certainly be posting pictures of the kids woodcarving projects as they progress. The first classes of the session started today and I'll be keeping the board up-to-date in the coming weeks.

[Big Dog]

Many thanks for the detailed reply. YOur programme sounds great and I totally agree on enthusiasm. Over here we say "enthusiasm breads enthusiasm". I am also jealous of the wilderness model. I have always wanted to use that type of model. I have taken many kids away for a week or so but we dont have the same water structures and more importantly the weather to prolong a trip. I once took a group of handicap kids on a 1 week canoe trip. One of the island we camped on for 2 night had a lot of felled birch tree felled. I started to strip some bark and make little canoes. Before long the whole group were around me and many made good efforts.

My job has me sending 90% of my time trying to raise money for the project. Infact it 2130hrs and I am going down stairs to look at another funding application. I hate this part and I am aiming to exit my current job in the next 12 to 24 mths. Why wait you say? Well I have build this organisation up from nothing so I don't want to leave is in a way that would return it back to that. Next job will be more hand on and I will employ someone to do all that other stuff

It was nice chatting, keep up the work

[Ashbys]

Dave ,

Great project , I have only one request ...


the pics of the Kids projects I would love to see how they do !!


Garry

[Lightningbolt]

Garry: Right now were having a great time working on the "in the round" woodcarving requirement which is a small dug-out indian canoe but I'll be sure to post some pictures when we get to the leaf project which is the "relief" carving requirement.

It's getting close to my bed time right now (Whine...whine ! ) but I'll try to get something of the canoes posted before I pass out on the bed.

Thanks for asking.

[Fred Zavadil]

Dave, this is a great project for the kids I am sure they will enjoy it very much.
Fred