August Tool Box Workshops @ Tum-A-Lum Lumber

We had another couple of awesome kids DIY workshops building tool boxes at Tum-A-Lum Lumber in Hood River & Pendleton! The came, they built, they painted, they personalized with their names. It's been so rewarding to work with youth especially those who are "workshop regulars." Pendleton's workshops are even spreading to the schools as 8th grade woodshop students will be preparing materials for the next workshops this fall! If you were unable to attend the workshop you can download the plans here and build it at home.

Women & Girls Woodworking Workshops

We are so excited to offer not one but two women and girls woodworking workshop series this fall (and another this winter!) through Hood River Community Ed! Women and girls will learn how to safely use hand and power tools in a supportive environment, building confidence to tackle projects on their own. You can learn more and sign up here for the series in Odell at the Wy'East Middle School and here for the series in White Salmon at Gorge MakerSpace. These workshop series are limited to 12 each so sign up ASAP to reserve your spot!

Kids DIY @ The Dalles Farmers' Market

This weekend we offered a free kids DIY project at The Dalles Farmers' Market! 17 kids chose to build either a mason bee house or a bird house that they could take home and learned more about native bees and birds. Thanks to Tum-A-Lum Lumber for providing all of the materials for these projects. We are also available for private DIY parties and events at your location so please contact us for scheduling!

Kids DIY Peace Boxes @ Columbia Gorge Peace Village Camp

This was our first year at Columbia Gorge Peace Village camp and we had a blast! So much amazing energy, talented facilitators and creative youth embodying peace within, peace among and peace around. We decided on a simple carpentry project, a 5 sided peace box, that kids could assemble with hammer and nails and then personalize with paint. Tum-A-Lum Lumber generously donated all of the materials and we were able to serve 75 kids in 4 days!

Solar Energy Workshops @ Girls Build Camp

This was our 3rd year volunteering with Powerpnw at Girls Build summer camp teaching girls ages 8-14 about solar energy! They practiced wire stripping, wire pulling, rail leveling and solar panel install. It was great to see them problem solve and experience accomplishment in their work. We are hoping to bring a Girls Build camp to the Gorge and/or Pendleton next year so stay tuned for updates!

July Birdhouse Workshops @ Tum-A-Lum Lumber

This month we built birdhouses with kids during our workshops at Tum-A-Lum Lumber in Pendleton and Hood River. All together 40 kids built, stained and took home their own cedar birdhouse! It was our most complex project this year with skill building including layout, measuring, marking, hammering, attaching hooks and chain, and staining with rags. If you were unable to attend the workshop you can download the plans here and build it at home.

Next month we are building toolboxes! You can sign up for the Hood River workshop here and the Pendleton workshop here. Hope to see you soon!

June Art Caddy Workshops @ Tum-A-Lum Lumber

This month we built art caddies with kids during our workshops at Tum-A-Lum Lumber in Pendleton and Hood River. This time Pendleton was first and 28 kids all built, stained or painted, and took home their own art caddy! We had 14 kids build art their own art caddy in Hood River. So great to witness their problem solving and perseverance! If you were unable to attend the workshop you can download the plans here and build it at home.

Next month we are building bird houses! You can sign up for the Hood River workshop here and Pendleton workshop here. See you soon!

June Kids DIY Picket Frame Workshop @ Marson & Marson Lumber

This month we were invited to do a special kids DIY workshop at Marson & Marson Lumber in Leavenworth, Washington! It was pretty exciting as we were part of their Grand Re-Opening event with other vendors and food. Did I say popcorn and shave ice? We had 22 kids come and make picket frames throughout the day and they all enjoyed putting their own special touch on their projects.

We also attended a Ladies Night event which included food, drinks and a scavenger hunt. They sure do know how to throw a party up there! The ladies were also interested in DIY projects so we might start planning some weekend workshops for both women and kids!

May Mason Bee House DIY Workshops @ Tum-A-Lum Lumber

This month we built mason bee houses at Tum-A-Lum Lumber in Hood River and Pendleton! Mason bees are native pollinators that help your plants grow. They generally don't sting and don't live in hives. Instead they are solitary and will live in their own space near other mason bees, kind of like condo living! The kids had lots of practice drilling holes, learning about the importance of a roof and placement options all while building community. If you were unable to attend the workshop you can download the plans here and build it at home. Next month we are building art caddies!

April Picket Frame DIY Workshops @ Tum-A-Lum Lumber

This month we not only offered a kids workshop in partnership with Tum-A-Lum Lumber in Hood River but also kicked off a brand new workshop series in Pendleton! Everyone created their own unique picket frame for Mother's Day. While the variable weather deterred some people from coming out in Hood River, our workshop in the Pendleton warehouse was packed! We will have to get another table built for next time... So heartwarming to feel the appreciation from a community that doesn't have many opportunities like this. And one of the girls told me she wants to be a builder when she grows up! Very inspiring to work with the next generation. If you were unable to attend the workshop you can download the plans here and build it at home. Stay tuned for our workshops in Hood River and Pendleton next month!