Students at the intermediate level (usually grade 5 and up) just love to learn to carve! Teachers think it's great too, and parents are amazed at what their kids can do in just a one week course. The kids keep carving during out of school time, and eagerly look forward to classes in subsequent years.

High school students really enjoy learning to carve too.

Rick has been teaching in schools both private and public and even to groups of home school students.

Other custom made formats and courses are possible.

References from schools where Rick has taught are available upon request.

Introduction to Woodcarving for Intermediate Students
Introduction to Woodcarving for Secondary Students

INTRODUCTION TO WOODCARVING FOR INTERMEDIATE STUDENTS  

Purpose: To teach students ages 9-12, how to safely use a pocketknife to produce simply whittled toys for themselves and others, and to really enjoy themselves in the process.

WARNING: Whittling is very habit forming. This could lead to a lifetime hobby.

Time: 6 - 10 hours in 3 to 5 sessions.

Approach: Demonstration, instruction, and then hands on making of projects.

Elements of the Course:

• Learn basic knife handling and safety.
• Learn basic knife strokes and practice them on scrap wood.
• Learn how to sharpen a knife and keep it sharp. 

Projects:

• Make a twig pen that really writes
• Make a working boomerang. (Yes, it really will come back!)
• Make a simple flying helicopter
• Make a sturdy and practical walking stick/hiking staff

Optional Projects:

• Make slip bark twig whistle. (Spring only)
• Make "Gnome Homes"

Extra:

• The instructor will make and give away carvings every day in class.
• Knives and sharpening equipment will be available for sale.

Instructor's Fee:

• $550 plus GST per course or $55 plus GST per student.
• All materials and tools needed for the course are provided at no extra cost. (Students will need their own knives with which to practice sharpening.)

Class Size:

• Maximum of 15 students without instructor assistance. With adult help, class size can be increased to 25 or so.

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Purpose: To introduce secondary students to basic woodcarving as a practical and personal demonstration of the possibilities of using forest products in innovative ways. 

Time: 8 - 10 hours in 4 to 5 sessions.

Approach: Demonstration, instruction, and then hands on activity by students. 

Elements of the Course:

• Learn basic knife handling and safety.
• Learn the different grips of the knife and the cuts on the wood. 
• Learn how to sharpen a knife. (Students will need their own knives for this.)
• Learn about different kinds of wood that are useful for carving. 
• Learn about the local woods, often considered worthless, that can be simply turned into marketable products. 

Projects:

• Make a simple human face. 
• Make a functional walking stick with a simple human face.                              
• (Some students have sold their sticks even before they finished them). 

Optional Projects:

• Make a functioning boomerang
• Make some simple marketable toys - helicopter and whistles. 
• Make marketable souvenirs out of twigs. 

Instructor's Fee:

• $550 plus GST per course or $55 plus GST per student.
  
   
• All materials and tools needed for the course are included.  
• Knives, sharpening equipment, and books will be available for purchase/

Class Size:

Maximum of 15 students without instructor assistance. (With adult help, class size can be increased to 20 or so.)

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