Camps give kids a chance to build with power tools
With help from local businesses and organizations, 26 area youth will use real tools and materials to build amazing things at a new summer camp opportunity. Tinkering School Lake Erie (in the Works!), a program of Lake Erie Adventure Play (LEAP), will offer two week-long day camps for youth (10-13): June 21-26 and June 28-July 3.
“We are looking forward to working with our tinkerers and are grateful for the all the support we’ve received,” said LEAP Creative Director Tricia O’Connor. “Jerry Thompson and Tom Johnson of the Kiwanis Club of Port Clinton are coordinating with club members to gather material donations and they are also volunteering at the camps.”
In addition, Materion, Inc. of Elmore, a global supplier of specialty materials, Snyder Group of Companies, and United Way in Ottawa County have provided funding for tuition assistance and other support for Tinkering School Lake Erie (in the Works!).
What is Tinkering School?
Tinkering School is based on the philosophy that children can be empowered and inspired by using real tools to solve real problems in a creative atmosphere that is open to failure. First developed by software engineer Gever Tulley in San Francisco, The Tinkering School now has partner programs in Austin, Chicago, and Bratislavia, and the Lake Erie program is in the application process. Said Tulley, “Success is in the doing … problems become puzzles, and obstacles disappear.”
Tulley trained LEAP staff in their immersive camp process last summer. “It was an amazing week, watching these kids work in small teams to build that week’s mystery project, an off-road go-cart,” saidLEAP creative director Tricia O’Connor.
“The best part for me was watching these kids grow in confidence, not just in how to use tools, but in their ability to figure things out and solve problems.”
Camps led by Toledo artist collaborator
The Tinkering School Lake Erie camps will be led by Jerod Christy, a sculptor/metalsmith with significant experience in constructing all kinds of things. As an instructor at the Toledo Museum of Art and co-owner of Deep in Design, Christy is known as an outstanding teacher with a passion for the arts and for giving back to the community.
“I’m excited to support our next generation in developing hands-on skills, and more importantly, supporting their ability to find their own solutions and develop their own creations,” said Christy.
A United Way program
Tinkering School Lake Erie (in the Works!) and Lake Erie Adventure Play (LEAP) are programs of United Way in Ottawa County.
United Way Director Chris Galvin commented, “These programs are a wonderful extension of our Cradle to Career map and our work with the Ottawa County Business Advisory Council. At the
Tinkering School camps, kids will be learn how to use tools, how to build their own creations, and how to solve problems that arise.”
