This site 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.  To date, over 300 Scouts have participated in this program.

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.  Safety is a primary concern in all classes; safety glasses will be provided and the only power tool used will be an electric drill.

Birdhouse

This Fun Patch event is a fun, hands-on way to earn a patch and build an outdoor birdhouse.

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.

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.

 Other Class Content

We will discuss wood properties and wood joints, and practice with tape measures, squares, handsaws, screwdrivers and hammers before assembling the toolbox.

• 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

We will use the acronym "SAWS" to help the Scouts remember the materials:

SAWS = Safety+Accuracy+Wood+Skills

Class Details

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. 

Maximum Class Sizes (please call to discuss options for troops larger than the listed maximum)

Birdhouse Build - Ten Scouts

Toolbox Build - Eight Scouts