College Students, Kids & Catapults
Catapults with kids! The Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute partnered with Lenawee Great Start to offer a catapult building workshop during the PlaneWave Instruments Open House on October 7th, 2023. During the workshop kids were assisted by staff, volunteers and family members to construct their own catapult and then shoot marshmallows into the woods. We were fortunate to be able to offer this free kids activity thanks to gifts from the Home Depot Foundation and the Kappa Kappa Epsilon sorority.
Students of our Furniture Making college program stepped up and volunteered to assist kids with the construction of their catapults during the 3 hour event. These students began the Furniture Making program at the end of August, and will graduate in June, 2024. Out of 20 students, 16 of them relocated to southeast Michigan to attend the Furniture Making program.
SBWI Alumni and Director of Women’s Programming Sheri Sarata lead the workshop, with help with Board of Trustees member Patty Clark, and woodworking student and volunteer Angela Zecman. All materials were cut and prepped during the summer by a group of volunteers who helped us prepare for the kid’s catapult workshop during the Great Lakes Woodworking Festival. SBWI Alumni and Assistant Instructor to the Furniture Making program Noah Smith, Facility Manager and Instructor Steve Skornicka, Shop Assistant and Student Logan Balis, and volunteer Mike Rosenberg of Rosenberg Woodworking helped with setup and tear down of the workshop. Thank you Quinn, Christie, and the staff of Lenawee Great Start for doing such a great job promoting this event (and for supplying marshmallows and literacy bags and crafts for the kids).
We are grateful for everyone who helped promote, support, and execute this event for our youth. Woodworking and building allows kids to engage in new learning experiences under the supervision of experts. The proper use of tools and protective gear are explained and closely supervised. Even the simplest of projects can aid in childhood development and foster a lifelong interest in the craft of woodworking.
Over 3 hours, we were able to build 50 catapults with kids and their families. It was hectic but these wonderful people pulled through and even stayed late to make sure every last kid built a catapult. ❤️
Learn more about our Furniture Making program