At a time when digital technology plays a large role in our lives, completing handmade projects is empowering. Our farm, fields, and forest provide a bounty of materials. With ample inspiration from nature, children inspire one another, allowing ideas to come to life and transforming materials all around them into works of art.
Our craft shops are led by experienced artisans and educators who encourage children to explore their own creativity as they learn new skills in weaving, woodworking, pottery, felting, painting, drawing, knitting, beading, papermaking, and more. A canoe paddle made in the woodshop, a wall hanging woven on the floor loom, or a bowl thrown on a potter’s wheel all instill in children a sense of confidence in their abilities.
Fiber Arts
Campers learn to weave on bead and belt looms, later progressing to table and floor looms. As always, after learning the necessary skills, children are able to be increasingly creative with design and color.
Campers also create wool products from the animals they care for. Campers participate in carding, spinning, or dyeing wool for later use to create felted slippers, fiber sculptures, knitted hats, and weavings.
Find out more about our sheep and other animals.
Pottery
Beginning with basic hand-building techniques, campers may make a variety of objects such as coil pots, clay animals, teapots, or whistles. Campers may then progress to throwing on the wheel, electric or kick wheels, making cups, bowls, plates, or vases – improving basic skills and broadening their ability to create more intricate projects. Once an object is created, campers use glazes to add color and then their pieces are fired in our kilns. Campers also have the opportunity to learn alternative firing techniques, such as pit, saggar, and horsehair firings, which all incorporate natural and recycled materials.
Woodworking
From wooden boxes to checkerboards and toy sailboats to canoe paddles, the possibilities are nearly endless.
Campers interested in woodworking first learn to safely use hand tools such as hammers, saws, and hand drills. Older children may also learn to use the lathe, eventually making objects such as bowls and baseball bats.
Nature & Recycled Crafts
The use of natural and recycled materials is a frequent feature of our projects. Campers, for instance, create beautiful textured stationery from pulp blended from recycled paper, sew pillows with balsam needles gathered in the woods on our property, and design tote bags out of old tent canvas.