In DEAN’s Woodworking Camp, campers discover the satisfaction of building with their hands while turning plain wood into functional projects they’ll be proud to bring home. From birdhouses and model sailboats to soapbox derby cars, each creation gives campers the chance to problem-solve, try new techniques, and celebrate their progress. With guidance from skilled instructors and access to age-appropriate tools like pull saws, egg beater drills, and block planes, burgeoning builders learn to approach challenges with creativity and perseverance. Along the way, they develop responsibility in handling tools and materials, collaboration as they share ideas with peers, and resilience as they turn setbacks into successes.

Curriculum is thoughtfully adapted for each age group, with techniques and independence progressing from foundational skills in younger grades to more complex challenges as campers mature.

Each week, campers engage in hands-on building projects, learning key skills and mindsets:

• • • Foundation Skills: Measuring, sawing, drilling, planning, sanding, and joining pieces together
    • Technical Abilities: Exploring design choices, experimenting with structural integrity, and finishing surfaces for both form and function while building precision and patience

As they build and create, campers strengthen essential character skills:

• • • Collaboration: Sharing ideas and techniques with fellow builders
    • Resilience and Self-Regulation: Developing focus through detailed work and problem-solving when challenges arise

By the end of the program, every camper goes home with original projects that reflect both their growing craftsmanship and confidence.