Case Study - Camp Veritans
“I think woodworking is a great outlet for kids. It allows them creativity. It’s physical. You’re using everything; your brain, you’re thinking, you’re acting with it.”
Camp Vitals
Camp: Camp Veritans is a beautiful day camp nestled on over 60 wooded acres in northern New Jersey, our programming is designed by camp professionals who believe that campers thrive when they are guided by confident and engaging staff in a calm and structured environment.
Campers: 350
Location: Haledon, NJ
Ages using the program: 3 ½ - 15
Staff trained: 3; one experienced woodworker and two never previously trained in woodworking
Why Maplewoodshop
Carla, the Camp Director wanted her campers to have a physical outlet for creative energy. A woodworker herself, she knew campers would use their brains and their bodies to build - a unique opportunity for them in today’s world where much of their attention is devoted to a screen.
Woodworking also gives campers exposure to things that they don’t get a chance to learn anymore in the public schools. Most campers have never had the opportunity to work with a handsaw, or to learn how to measure and cut. It is a new skill for almost every child.
The Camp administration thought about creating their own woodshop program, but the potential danger of power tools stalled that effort. The Maplewoodshop Program uses only hand tools, so it is safer and easier to set up than a traditional woodshop.
“Woodworking is something where kids build their own self-confidence and I think that’s a really important thing when they create this project and they’re like, “Wow, I did this myself.””
Projects With Maplewoodshop
Project created: Tool tote, keepsake box, footstool, string art, car, jigsaw puzzle
Concepts reinforced: Reading, Language processing skills, Measuring/counting/basic math functions, Safe and proper use of tools, Practiced or mastered fine and gross motor skills
Life Skills Learned/Reinforced: Cooperation, Teamwork, Creativity, Collaboration, Communication, Pride in work
What’s Next?
The Camp Director and Woodworking Specialist are working on plans for the older campers to create a community or legacy project. Chairs and benches and other items that could be used around the camp will be considered.
“Woodworking is building their self-confidence and their belief in themselves, which comes out later on through all different aspects of their lives.”
“At camp, the kids learn things that they don’t get a chance to do anymore in the public schools. Programs have been cut. Now, they’ve had the opportunity to work with a handsaw to see how to measure and cut, and it just was amazing to see the excitement on the kids’ faces. ”
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