Case Study - Handwork Studio
Camp Vitals
Camp: The Handwork Studio is a network of “mobile” camp summer programs that teach handicrafts. The camp programming is taught up and down the east coast and includes sewing, knitting, fashion design, and fibers, based on the Waldorf philosophy. The Handwork Studio not only teaches practical art skills, but provides role models for campers as they learn about patience, achievement, and problem-solving. The Handwork Studio is proud of being a creative and educational outlet for campers.
Number of Campers: 300 campers throughout the summer
Headquarters: Philadelphia, PA
Ages using the Maplewoodshop Program: 8-14
Counselors trained: 4 counselors each season (for 2 seasons). None were previously trained in woodworking
Use: Campers arrive weekly and choose their activity, which they will work on exclusively for the entire week, devoting approximately 30 hours to their chosen craft
Why Maplewoodshop
Handwork Studio teaches campers life skills through crafting. Their mission and the Maplewoodshop mission are almost identical; both teach problem-solving, patience, and achievement.
Camp enrollment for boys has historically been low and the administration hoped that offering a woodworking program would pique interest in boys. It did. In their first year with woodworking, the administration saw boys who did a week of woodworking return the next week for sewing or another craft.
Educating With Maplewoodshop
Projects created: Jigsaw puzzle, tool tote, kitchen stool, puppet theater
Concepts reinforced: Following directions, Tool safety, Project planning
Life Skills learned/reinforced: Critical thinking and problem-solving, Creativity, Initiative and self-direction, Pride in work
With 30-hours a week of single-activity programming, campers begin with the basics of safety and learning how to be responsible for the tools. They quickly move on to the Maplewoodshop program projects like the jigsaw and tool tote which help them master the use of the tools. Soon, kids use their creativity to make projects from their imagination, like a puppet theater. They problem-solve and collaborate to make their visions come to life, such as creating wood pieces that could be characters in the puppet theater and crafting a story.
What’s Next?
Handwork Studio is adding two new locations this summer and they expect to work with over 300 kids in woodworking. Registrations are coming in incredibly strong and they are seeing return campers.
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