:cool2:I am extremely excited to share two emails that I received this past week about AAW youth programs. The first email comes from the Umpqua Turning Club. For the past couple of years, two turning club members have been volunteering at the Roseburg, Oregon High School. They use a pen project to teach students ripping, cutting, drilling, and gluing prior to starting a lathe. In the past, after the pen project was completed, they used a 14â€x3â€x3†maple blank to teach the remaining turning tools. Although the students completed the task oriented project, there wasn’t as much excitement as with the pens. When the AAW announced the Young Turners Program, they adopted and modified it, using the projects provided to teach the different tool skills in place of the maple block. Not only has the club donated and helped secure quality equipment for the school, they have two students that regularly attend club meetings and others starting to show up.
The second email comes from a relatively new AAW chapter, the Waxhaw Woodturners from Waxhaw, NC. In just their second year, the chapter just approved a youth program and already have four students ready, able, and willing to participate. The Waxhaw Woodturners are looking forward to a great way of giving to the community and helping kids in their area. Their first class is already slated for November 16th.
Does your club have a youth program? I maintain my challenge to every AAW club to start a Young Turners Program if you don’t have one already. Not only is it a rewarding experience for your club members, but your providing an educational and confidence building experience to the kids. For more information go to the AAW website’s community page and click on the Young Turners Program. (http://www.woodturner.org/community/youth/)
The second email comes from a relatively new AAW chapter, the Waxhaw Woodturners from Waxhaw, NC. In just their second year, the chapter just approved a youth program and already have four students ready, able, and willing to participate. The Waxhaw Woodturners are looking forward to a great way of giving to the community and helping kids in their area. Their first class is already slated for November 16th.
Does your club have a youth program? I maintain my challenge to every AAW club to start a Young Turners Program if you don’t have one already. Not only is it a rewarding experience for your club members, but your providing an educational and confidence building experience to the kids. For more information go to the AAW website’s community page and click on the Young Turners Program. (http://www.woodturner.org/community/youth/)