2004 Eastern Conference

Discovery: Shelter & Timber Framing: An exploratory hands-on workshop for children

With remarkable skill and ingenuity, people used materials "at hand" to build shelters to survive their environments. These skills were handed down by hands-on experience. Children learned as they worked alongside the older folk. Let's share and pass on our skills.

The first workshop will focus on searching the environment for shelter and how shelters can be invented. (No sharp tools to be used.) Limit of 20 participants. Ages 7 and up. Under 7 can attend if accompanied by a parent or appointed adult.

In four later sessions we will build a simple timber frame structure. Various skills will be explored: choice of materials, designing, measuring and cutting. Limit of 12 participants. Ages 10 and up. Participants are encouraged to attend all the sessions. The kids will also have the opportunity to interact with artisans from other countries as we exchange personnel with the International Timber Frame Workshop taking place in the same area.

To ensure a good safe experience, we are asking for a minimum of 3 timber framers for the first workshop and minimum of 6 timber framers for the other three workshops, to sign up at the conference to assist the children. Come play, share your enthusiasm, and pass on your knowledge.

Workshops will run Friday and Saturday, morning and afternoon, during the Main Conference breakout sessions. To get an accurate estimate of how many children will be attending, please circle on the registration form the name(s) of your children who will participate. You can also sign your children up at the Conference (space permitting) when you arrive. If you're registering online, indicate your interest in this program in the Comments section of the online registration form. Timber framers interested in assisting should also indicate this when registering for the Conference.

For further information or if you would like to assist, contact Kimberley Reagan, Tel: (902) 684-9708 (Atlantic Standard Time: Nova Scotia, Canada), Fax: (902) 692-2877, info@acorntimberframes.ca.