Any time we have the opportunity to educate kids about timber framing and woodworking we're in! Stephen visited a local elementary school and the thank you notes made it all worthwhile. The kids were interested and excited, while worrying that Stephen wasn't getting work done because he was there with them. Maybe we have some future timber framers here?
Hamilton Career Center
We also welcome visits from the nearby Hamilton Career and Technology Center. High school students in the Construction classes have visited multiple times to see different aspects of timber framing. On a recent class trip to our shop Stephen explained cutting joinery in round timbers, and fit ups. Ben demonstrated some tools that we use when cutting timber frames.
More Information for Future Timber Framers
Other opportunities for hands on education have been Timber Framer Guild's workshops for kids. In these workshops the participants cut and erected several play structures that were auctioned at the TFG conferences.
The Guild offers aspiring timber framers information on how to learn more, through membership, meetings and conferences, community projects, and apprenticeships. Another source of a wealth of timber framing information, as well as plans, can be found at Timber Frame HQ.
Stephen serves on the Board of Directors of the Guild's Heartwood School. Courses include several styles of timber framing, drafting, cabinet making, design and many other options. Heartwood offers an annual timber framing class at our South Carolina shop as well.
