Hey there, everyone! I’m certain not all of you know me, but many of you have resorted to calling me ‘Ant-Man’, for my ongoing project in Ant-Keeping that I’m trying to introduce with the help at the Space. I’m a new(er) member of the Space, but a few years ago, I came up with my dad all the time at one of the older locations. For the life of me, I can’t remember which one.
I understand that children twelve and under are to be monitored by an adult at all times, and children under 16(?) have to at least have their parents around them at the space. I also understand children aren’t exactly allowed in the woodshop. Big tools, little fingers, it usually doesn’t work out. However, from the comfort of my own home, and with the supervision of my parents, -I- remember starting making birdhouses, planter boxes, and other small projects with simple tools.
What I have in mind, is using the parking lot (used for the Blacksmithing classes every once in a while), and setting up benches with pre-cut wood, and having children come with their parents to make simple things. It could even be a bi-weekly class! (One time it’s bird-houses, the next it’s planter boxes, the next it’s small boxcars, and more. It could even expand beyond small wooden projects!)
I’m willing to bring up my own tools, which would mostly be wood glue, hammers, and nails. I won’t bother having children around things like nailguns, saws, or anything of the sort. I figured the classes could be a good idea to advertise the space some, as well as ignite the creative spark in kids that seems to be lacking. (Of course, I’m only 18, but I was still raised to be a problem-solver.)
The classes would mostly help young crafters learn how to properly measure things, and think through their plans before everything was finalized.
To sum it up, here are the pros:
-It would help bring children -AND- their parents to the space, which may incline parents to become members themselves.
-It would be something that can be used to teach kids outside of class, and away from the computers, tablets, phones, etc.
-A material cost can be set, and I can supply my own tools from my woodshop at home, which means virtually no loss to DMS.
-I’d keep everything scheduled and organized, and work with whoever I need to to make sure there’s no toe-stepping with the space used.
Cons:
-I’m aware that not everybody really likes children, or the havoc and noise that tends to follow them.
-??? I’m having trouble finding many more beyond this.
Please, feel free to contribute your thoughts, opinions, ideas, and more. I’m willing to organize, plan, and lead everything. My primary concern lies in the hesitation people might have about bringing children up to the space. Everybody I know at the space seems relatively laid-back, but it couldn’t hurt to ask.
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