Genesis Wraps up Summer of STREAM with Woodworking Camp

Sawdust and Smiles: Recapping DIY Woodworking Camp with Iron Timbers.

Photo provided.

(Batesville, Ind.) - Genesis: Pathways to Success concluded it's A Summer of STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) programming with DIY Woodworking Camp. In partnership with Iron Timbers, 20 students from across Southeast Indiana learned the ABC’s of the woodworking profession.

Over the duration of camp, students were split into two groups based on their choice of making a charcuterie board or a cutting board. Students were also given the choice to use walnut or maple wood for their project. Campers were tasked with cutting, sanding, and measuring their wood planks. Students were able to learn how to safely operate a sander and a table saw with the help of professional woodworkers at Iron Timbers. Campers were given a random select piece of wood, encouraging them to mold and shape the piece to be aesthetically pleasing and practical. Once they got the correct shape and smoothness, they were laid out, glued, and pressed together.

Students then began to work on personalized signs. They received the base for their signs and spent time sanding it to create a smooth foundation for them to be engraved. Once the foundation was sanded, campers moved to the engraving machine and learned how to operate it. After the engraving process was complete, students went back to sanding their board. Students wrapped up with filling the engraving with a wood putty and flattening the board out to create a visually appealing engraving.

“My favorite part of camp was seeing the laser engraving because it was cool to see the fine details it can get,” said Levi Trenkamp, incoming 7th grader at Batesville Middle School.

After the glue on their cutting boards and putty on their signs had dried, campers applied resin to their creations, creating a clear and protective layer. Students then cleaned up any imperfections created by the resin through sanding. Campers also had the option to trim the edges of their boards, making an even rectangle. To finish off their projects, they applied wood oil to replenish the wood’s natural oils and protect it. After the wood oil dried, their creations were complete and ready for use!

DIY Woodworking allows these students to break free from traditional classroom learning and gives them the opportunity to experience an often-forgotten trade. Granting students opportunities such as this allows them to broaden their horizons and learn about a trade they may have not otherwise encountered. When asked about camp, Dustin Payne, the woodworker at Iron Timbers, stated, “We look forward to the woodworking camp every year! It’s always a highlight getting a fresh group of kids in here excited to learn about woodworking.”

Genesis: Pathways to Success would like to thank Iron Timbers for partnering with Genesis to bring this unique experiential learning opportunity to students in Southeast Indiana. With this partnership, Genesis is able to continue their efforts to encourage students to pursue their passions and broaden their horizons. Genesis looks forward to bringing DIY Woodworking Camp back in the summer of 2026! If you would like to learn additional information about this summer camp, please visit www.genesisp2s.org. If you have questions regarding A Summer of STREAM, please contact the Genesis: Pathways to Success Office by emailing info@genesisp2s.org, calling 812-933-1098, or visiting 13 E. George Street, Suite B, Batesville, IN 47006.