Trackers PDX Blog

Wood
13th
August

Raising Kids by Tony Deis on Aug 13, 2009

How many children work with wood anymore? How many useful things are truly built by their hands? Where do they get an opportunity to feel proud and useful beyond the abstraction of tests and grades?

The fact of the matter is, wood has become less and less important in a world of plastic, fiberglass and concrete. Yet wood is unique. Any craft made from it is animated by the life of the tree its hewn from. Cedar is different then doug fir. Oak is different then ash. Bamboo is an incredible wood (really a grass) that offers all manner of unique opportunities for both construction and sustainable growth.

Let our children work in wood. Eschew and throw off the shackles of laboratory borne materials. Give them a chisel, a hammer and a Master to teach joinery. From this, their relationship to the world slows down and their appreciation for living grows immensely.

Announcement Trackers serendipitously  secured an incredible wood shop adjacent to our studio space. We're itching to offer woodworking programs for youth (and adults). We got kayaks and umiaks perfected (look for boat building courses for youth). Beyond that, If your a community member or parent with suggestions or an ability to contribute to creating an awesome woodworking program, email us. Help us, help kids build things with their own two hands.

Upcoming woodworking and boat building courses...
Home School Ages 12-18 Traditional Kayak Building begins September 21
Weekends Ages 12-18 Traditional Kayak Building begins October 3
Parent and Child Ages 10-18 w/Parent Traditional Kayak Building (1-2 person craft)  begins November 14

Preschool Calendar...
TOTS Preschool begins September 21 (Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday)

Youth home school calendar...
Cabin Homesteading begins September 19 (Saturdays or Mondays)
Freedom Kids begins September 22 (Tuesdays)
Tween & Teen Wilderness Survival begins September 22 (Tuesdays)
Skills of Rangers and Elves begins September 24 (Thursdays)
Urban Homesteading begins September 25 (Fridays)
Tween & Teen Kayak Program Scout Team Marine begins September 18 (Fridays)

Youth after school calendar...
Tween & Teen Wilderness Survival begins September 7 (Monday)
Urban Homesteading begins September 8 (Tuesday)
Middle Earth After School begins September 9 (Wednesdays)
Freedom Kids After School begins September 10 (Thursdays)
Tween & Teen Kayak Program Scout Team Marine Edge begins September 10 (Thursdays)

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2 Comments
Mrs darling Aug 15, 2009 9:04 AM

I agree. This entire website for trackers needs more info such as; time of day, cost, transportation, parents responsibility, etc.
dawn duran Aug 15, 2009 2:21 AM

please send me more information about cost and how to sign up.thanks dawn.