Woodworking

In this class, students will hand craft a beautiful pine wood box reminiscent of the Shaker craftwork. Students will begin with wood already prepared and cut to finished sizes for the project. They will work on the following skills: cutting and joining the sides/dovetail joints, gluing/planing and sanding the sides, shaping the lid and base, attaching the hardware (hinges), and finishing techniques.

In this class, students will hand craft a beautiful pine wood box reminiscent of the Shaker craftwork. Students will begin with wood already prepared and cut to finished sizes for the project. They will work on the following skills: cutting and joining the sides/dovetail joints, gluing/planing and sanding the sides, shaping the lid and base, attaching the hardware (hinges), and finishing techniques.

If you're a fan of birdwatching and want to create a space for the birds that call your yard home, then this is the class for you! Create your own unique "Bird Condo" with plenty of space for backyard birds to roost.

If you're a fan of birdwatching and want to create a space for the birds that call your yard home, then this is the class for you! Create your own unique "Bird Condo" with plenty of space for backyard birds to roost.

You don’t have to be an artist to create wood burned art. This introduction to wood burning, also known as pyrography, will teach you how to create your own unique artwork. We will cover all the basics: safety, burners, tips, transferring images, wood species, adding color and protective finishes. Resources will also be shared for continued learning after class completion. In class, students will try out various tips to see what each is capable of. Students will then have the opportunity to work on up to three projects of nature or Adirondack inspired images.

Wooden puzzles are a great project whether you are a beginner or experienced woodworker. In this class students will learn the basics of the safe operation of a scroll saw, proper blade selection and installation, pattern transfer, proper cutting techniques and proper body positioning at the saw table. Each student will progress from learning to make moderate curves to tight curves using the scroll saw by producing, first, a wood maple leaf and progressing through more difficult patterns to a final puzzle which will require attention to detail and care in cutting. Come learn the secret tricks to ensure your puzzle is a success. It can make the perfect gift, too.

Anyone can learn to make a rustic birdhouse in just a few hours. A birdhouse is a simple structure with seven basic parts: two sides, a front and back, a bottom, and two pieces for the top. Power tools are not necessary to cut the wood; it can be done with a handsaw. Using rough-cut lumber, you will construct a rustic birdhouse that can be functional and/or decorative. Choose from several birdhouse designs. There will be a short discussion about nesting birds, feeding birds and suitable houses for area birds. Participants are encouraged to bring objects (such as old drawer pulls, doorknobs, hardware, etc.) from home. Adults and teens welcome; children ages 10-14 must be accompanied by an adult.

Learn how to make your very own personal hiking stick. Begin by selecting the perfect stick collected by the instructor. Then you will learn how to shave and carve your hiking stick. Once you are happy with your creation, the sticks will be completed by drilling a hole in them and adding a lanyard. Once finished, put your stick to good use on the trail running right by our school!

Take your next hike or walk around the corner with a unique hand-crafted walking stick. Frank will guide you through the process of taking a piece of ironwood and transforming it into a walking stick that will last a lifetime. The inlaid compass will help ensure you don't lose your way on the trail! Makes a wonderful gift for the hikers in your life!

Over 100 years ago, the famous Sagamore Hotel was built as an exclusive resort on Lake George in the Adirondacks. Its luxurious and spacious accommodations attracted the millionaires of the day, and the hotel continues to bring people from around the world to its spectacular spot on the lake. Come create a bit of history as you build a Sagamore chair using patterns struck from one of the original chairs; all the forms and patterns necessary are provided. Learn how to steam bend local Adirondack Red Oak into the graceful forms of this one-of-a-kind chair that is both beautiful and comfortable. Working with a variety of hand tools, you will bend and fasten the slats, laminate frame elements, join everything together and sand, finish and complete a beautiful chair ready for a prominent spot in your camp or home. Some prior woodworking experience is helpful, but beginners are welcome too.