Woodworking (Grades 3-8)
1 week sessions 9:00am - 3:00pm Price: $615 - $750
In DEAN’s Woodworking Studio, campers discover the satisfaction of building with their hands while turning plain wood into functional projects they’ll be proud to bring home. From birdhouses and model sailboats to soapbox derby cars, each creation gives campers the chance to problem-solve, try new techniques, and celebrate their progress. With guidance from skilled instructors and access to age-appropriate tools like pull saws, egg beater drills, and block planes, burgeoning builders learn to approach challenges with creativity and perseverance. Along the way, they develop responsibility in handling tools and materials, collaboration as they share ideas with peers, and resilience as they turn setbacks into successes.
Skills Learned:
Each week, campers engage in hands-on building projects, learning key skills and mindsets:
- Foundation Skills: Measuring, sawing, drilling, planing, sanding, and joining pieces together
- Technical Abilities:
-Exploring design choices, experimenting with structural integrity, and finishing surfaces for both form and function while building precision and patience. -As they build and create, campers strengthen essential character skills:
- Collaboration: Sharing ideas and techniques with fellow builders
- Resilience and Self-Regulation: Developing focus through detailed work and problem-solving when challenges arise
By the end of the program, every camper goes home with original projects that reflect both their growing craftsmanship and confidence.
General Daily Schedule:
Morning introduction
Activity period—approximately 1 hour
Snack and stretch break—approximately 15 minutes, outside weather permitting
Activity period—approximately 1 hour
Lunch and Recess break—approximately 1 hour, outside weather permitting
Activity period—approximately 2 hours (included in this time can be a stretch break as needed)
Clean up, pack up, dismissal
Below are descriptions for the following programs: Soapbox Derby and Woodworking.
Dates, Hours, and Fees
| 2026 Dates | Program (Grades) | Program (Grades) |
| June 8 - 12 | Woodworking Junior (3-4) | Woodworking Senior (5-8) |
| June 15 - 18 *4-day week | Woodworking Junior (3-4) | Woodworking Senior (5-8) |
| June 22 - 26 | Woodworking (3-8) | Soapbox Derby (5-8) |
| June 29 - July 2 *4-day week | Woodworking Junior (3-4) | Woodworking Senior (5-8) |
| July 6 - 10 | Woodworking Junior (3-4) | Woodworking Senior (5-8) |
| July 13 - 17 | Woodworking (3-8) | Soapbox Derby (5-8) |
| July 20 - 24 | Woodworking Junior (3-4) | Woodworking Senior (5-8) |
| July 27 - 31 | Woodworking (3-8) | Soapbox Derby (5-8) |
| August 3 - 7 | Woodworking Junior (3-4) | Woodworking Senior (5-8) |
| August 10 - 14 | Woodworking Junior (3-4) | Woodworking Senior (5-8) |
| Hours | ||
| 9:00am – 3:00pm | ||
| Fees | ||
| $715 5-day week / $615 4-day week | ||
| Soapbox Derby | $750 5-day week | |
Soapbox Derby (Grades 5-8)
Get ready to race!
In Soapbox Derby, campers will turn raw wood into their very own 52-inch gravity-powered racer in just one week. With guidance from skilled instructors, they’ll master measuring, cutting, and assembling with hand tools, and safely try their hand at power tools like jigsaws.
As they design and build, campers will see how every piece impacts speed and stability, testing and tweaking their cars to get them race-day ready. Collaboration fuels their problem-solving, responsibility keeps them safe with tools, and resilience drives them to refine their designs.
The week wraps up with an exciting derby where every camper rolls away with pride—and their one-of-a-kind soapbox racer to take home.
Woodworking (Grades 3-8)
Roll up your sleeves—it’s time to build!
In Woodworking and Woodworking Junior, campers master the essentials of building as they drill, hammer, saw, sand, and assemble wood into sturdy creations. Guided by skilled instructors, they’ll learn how to measure accurately, read simple scale drawings, and use a range of hand tools with confidence.
Safety is always front and center, giving campers the responsibility to handle tools the right way while staying focused on their work. Along the way, they’ll explore the design process—sketching, planning, and problem-solving to bring their ideas to life.
By week’s end, each camper brings home hand-crafted wooden projects they built from start to finish, a true showcase of their craftsmanship and creativity.
Note: Large power tools will not be used in this camp.
Woodworking Senior (Grades 5-8)
Ready for the next challenge?
Woodworking Sr. challenges older campers to take their skills to the next level with more advanced techniques and complex builds. Alongside expert instructors, they’ll refine precision in measuring and cutting, learn to read and apply detailed scale drawings, and expand their toolset to include supervised power drills.
Campers step into the full design process—planning, problem-solving, and adapting as they work through challenges. Responsibility deepens as they manage advanced tools, resilience grows as they push through tough design problems, and creativity shines as they add personal touches to their work.
By the end of the week, each camper brings home a polished wooden project that proves their craftsmanship, independence, and pride in what they’ve achieved.