The Craftsman's Arts
Today we would like to highlight our Woodworking and Blacksmithing activities at Falling Creek.
These activities provide campers with an opportunity to express themselves while learning a technical artform.
“He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.” - St. Francis of Assissi
Woodworking
Woodworking is an ancient craft that has been practiced for centuries. This artform involves shaping and manipulating wood in order to create functional structures or sculptures.
Did you know that woodworking promotes creativity and problem solving skills?
Our Projects:
At Falling Creek, we work on a number of woodworking projects throughout the session. Although the more experienced campers have a bit more freedom with their creations, we have crafted a wonderful lesson plan for those who are still learning.
Projects we’ll be working on during this session include, but are not limited to, crafting boxes that could be used for magic cards, tools, jewelry, or to house that spider living in your cabin. As well as making mallets, stools and ornaments.
At woodworking, we use a number of techniques to create our wonderful projects. These include sawing, sanding, filing, gluing, nailing, cutting and jointing. The campers are then able to paint, stain or vanish their work.
Camper Statements
Simon H. is in his 5th year at Falling Creek and is working on becoming a Ranger in Woodworking. He is currently working on crafting a mitered angled box, which will be joint on a 45° angle as opposed to 90°. Simon says he enjoys woodworking because he loves making a finished product, knowing the attention to detail goes into each project.
Finn A. who is 9 years old and in cabin 3 is experiencing his 2nd year here with us at Falling Creek. He says that he really enjoys woodworking, because it is really cool to finish a product and have it look like something someone made professionally. Last year he made a Falling Creek sign, this year he is eagerly working on his first ever box. His goal is to create his box and have a finished product that makes him proud.
Blacksmithing
Here we have another ancient craft that has been around for many centuries. This skill involves shaping and manipulating metal through heating, hammering, and forging. We can create objects that can be both functional and beautiful.
Did you know, blacksmiths were highly respected members of society, back in the day?
Our Projects
The projects at blacksmithing encompass creating a range of objects, from decorative arrow heads used as jewelry to fully functional throwing axes. David Echeverria, the lead at Blacksmithing, spoke about how the progressions are designed to help the boys grow in their skills as they build into each other, slowly progressing in difficulty. He said he prides himself in being able to help the campers grow in skill as well as in their confidence.
Blacksmithing allows for creativity to blossom, they craft items out of metal, such as leaves, j-hooks, candle holders, leaf bracelets, fire pokers, throwing axes, and tongs.
Camper Statements
Patton V. in cabin 20 from Dallas Texas is 15 years old and he is spending his 8th Summer here at Falling Creek. Patton achieved Warrior status in Blacksmithing on the 7th of July in 2023. Patton says he really enjoys working with metal, he can “express his creativity” and make tools that he can actually use.
“David and the rest of the Blacksmithing Staff do an amazing job!” - Patton V.
Christian D, from cabin 20 is 12 years old and from Miami Florida. Christian shared that he loves blacksmithing “because it is art.” He finds creating new objects out of metal extremely fun and exciting. Christian shared a lovely story about how he made a barn door handle in order to complete the Explorer level in his progressions. He explained how that handle is now being used at his grandparents house in Utah.
He is currently working to become a Ranger, and is forging a snake out of metal, using proper heat control and cooling methods. He also hopes to complete forging a throwing axe as well as teaching a class on how to create an arrowhead to achieve this.
