top of page
This page describes classes offered by Heritage Woodworks (HWW) for Cadette and Junior Girl Scouts.
Girl Scouts Michigan Shore to Shore selected HWW as a STEM program partner (Science Technology Engineering and Math) in 2016. This selection recognizes that classes discuss basic science related to wood and woodworking, and that classes include examples of careers in woodworking - in keeping with the Girl Scout objective to encourage curiosity about the world and ways to engage in it.
For information about HWW as a program partner of Girl Scouts Michigan Shore to Shore, please click here.
Classes
HWW offers two activities for Girl Scout Troops.
The first activity is for Juniors to build an outdoor birdhouse, and the second, for Cadettes, is to build a sturdy toolbox.
In addition to these two classes, HWW offers a Little Free Library workshop for Cadettes and older scouts conducting a service project to build a library for a school, park, or neighborhood. Please see the Little Free Library tab for basic details.
Birdhouse
This Fun Patch event is a fun, hands-on way to earn a Patch and build an outdoor birdhouse – in one afternoon.
Each Girl Scout will leave the event with a Fun Patch and a birdhouse. The birdhouse will be assembled with nails and glue from pre-sawn components, and Scouts will use hand tools to assemble, nail, and glue the birdhouse. Scouts will be instructed in how to use a hand drill and a small electric drill, how to start a nail in the wood, and how to nail the pieces together.
Toolbox
The Woodworker Badge event is a fun, educational, and hands-on way to earn a Badge and build a handy toolbox – in one afternoon.
Safety is a primary concern; safety glasses will be provided and the only power tool used will be an electric drill.
At the conclusion of the event, the instructor will provide each Scout with the Fun Patch.
Each Girl Scout will leave the event with a Woodworker Badge and a toolbox that could double as a magazine rack or garden tool caddy. The toolbox will be assembled with nails and glue from pre-sawn components, and Scouts will use hand tools to assemble, nail, and glue the toolbox.
Safety will be a primary concern; safety glasses will be provided and the only power tool used will be an electric drill.
We will discuss wood properties and wood joints, and practice with tape measures, squares, handsaws, screwdrivers and hammers before assembling the toolbox.
At the conclusion of the event, the instructor will provide each Scout with the Woodworker Badge indicating successful completion of the Badge requirements.
Class Dates, Details, and Costs
All classes are held on Saturday afternoons starting at 1:00 PM. The birdhouse class requires approximately three hours; the toolbox class requires approximately four hours. This includes time to
-
Explain and demonstrate safe handling of tools
-
Learn how to pre-drill holes for nails and to hammer nails
-
Use patterns to mark nail locations
-
Assemble all pieces flush and square
-
Drill holes and cut dowels
Maximum Class Sizes (please call to discuss options for troops larger than the listed maximum)
-
Birdhouse Build - Ten Scouts
-
Toolbox Build - Eight Scouts
Birdhouse Build (Juniors) - Cost is $15 per Scout, no charge for adults (charge for non-Scout classes is $35), includes cost of badge. The class will begin at 1:00 PM and require 2 - 3 hours.
-
Sept 9, 2023
-
Oct 7, 2023
-
Nov 4, 2023
-
Dec 2, 2023
-
Jan 13, 2024
-
March 9, 2024
-
April 13, 2024
-
May 11, 2024
Toolbox Build (Cadettes) - Cost is $15 per Scout, no charge for adults (charge for non-Scout classes is $35), includes cost of badge. The class will begin at 1:00 PM and require 3-4 hours.
-
Sept 23, 2023
-
Oct 28, 2023
-
Nov 18, 2023
-
Dec 16, 2023
-
Jan 27, 2024
-
March 23, 2024
-
April 27, 2024
-
May 25, 2024
For the best experience, approximately one adult/parent is requested to assist per three Scouts.
Contact Carl Johnson at 616-780-9499 or HeritageWoodworks@Outlook.com to arrange a class.
Leader Comments
-
Thank you – It was very informative and the girls said they learned a lot and had a good time….I’ll definitely recommend the program to other Troop leaders!
-
I just wanted to let you know that I thought you did a wonderful job teaching the girls about woodworking. My daughter felt confident and comfortable working with the tools, and her success with the birdhouse will inspire her to continue taking on woodworking projects.
-
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and skills with the girls!
-
Thank you for hosting this amazing workshop. My daughter absolutely loved it and can’t wait to build more stuff.
-
My daughter and I had a wonderful time! Thank you for sharing your skills with us. We loved your humor as well. We hope to be back.
Troop Pictures
bottom of page