'those Who Can't Do, Teach!

[two crows]

Background; For the past 3 years my family has been volunteering at a "faith based youth summer camp"Lakeshore UMA . We provide all the equipment, and run the archery range. (We are all NFAA / USA Archery coaches, and current or former State & Regional Champions. etc...) My wife was a school teacher and had summers off, my parent command allowed me to bank all my leave and use it to take every other week off during the summer. Now she has a better paying job but has to work summers, and I'm an unemployed, returning combat Vet, so guess who gets to spend all 12 weeks at summer camp!!!!! Should be great for helping me "reattach to polite society" as well and stop being so hyper-vigilant.

So, someone heard I've been pounding on leather and suggested that, when I had time, I could help out in the Craft Hut and teach some kids how to pound leather as well.

Sounds great in theory, but I barely know what the heck I'm doing!!!! Now, many years ago I has a Sensei who used to always say "teaching is learning twice", but really I want the kids to have an enjoyable experience and be able to give mom or dad a nice looking key fob or wrist band instead of a mangle hunk of leather or show them a smashed thumb, know what I mean? If I'm going to do it, I insist that I do it RIGHT. On top of that I have no idea what the Craft Hut actually has for tools, in years past it has not a point of interest for me. I'll find out this weekend when we get there, but we are about 130 miles from the nearest Tandy store, and being unemployed well... Luckily I have been blessed by WinterBear, Bruce Johnson, Elliot, etc. and I have at least one complete set of the basics so as long as I don't have more than one or two kids at a time we should be good for now. I also just got a barely used arbor press which could be useful for setting snaps, etc.

OK so, suggestion on what to teach and how to teach it and how to do it frugally.

(I already sent our 501c3 to Zack White and Springfield Leather Co, so we can get "wholesale" pricing.)

I'm thinking of getting a pile of the ubiquitous pre-cut wrist bands and key fobs.

Maybe a pre-cut & punched coin purse, or some buckskin or suede trinket bags,

but I really want to stay away from having kids use an awl.

Its EZ, I tought the kids at our church, you can get pre punched crosses, book marks and the simple stuff. Use the alphabet stamps, maby a little dye, some plastic lace and you will be in business. God wont let you down,,,, go for it. mike j.

[SandSquid]

Its EZ, I tought the kids at our church, you can get pre punched crosses, book marks and the simple stuff. Use the alphabet stamps, maby a little dye, some plastic lace and you will be in business. God wont let you down,,,, go for it. mike j.

I'll need to see how the wristbands do to get us started, if they go well I can afford to buy other projects.

If they don't sell, well then I'm only "out" two hours of running the strap cutter and helping relieve Luke of some of his scrap pile ;-)

[LNLeather]

Here is some more interesting information that may be of help. - links

Leatherworking Instruction Directory

Organizing A Youth Group Leather Craft Program

Basket Weave Leather Stamping

[chancey77]

.

You folks think I should be pretty well set to teach the young-ones if I'm armed with:

The LeatherCraft Handbook

Art Hand Sewing Leather

Lucky 7 Book

Lucky 8 Belt Book

Craftool Tech-Tips

I am not sure how long these classes are , but when I was in the scouts our art classes had 1 day of leather,1 day of wood, 1 day of braiding,and every day was an archery class.

Sounds like you have a good handle on it. Remember that whatever you know about leather is most likely 100x's more than the kids. So as long as it is fun they will have a blast.

I think something that everyone has missed is a <Small Pouch that can be tied around the kids waist with some rope. They can add their names and maybe some border stamps. And of course paint them...that is something they would really like I think.

Bracelets are cool, the only thing about the string is after it is on it will be almost impossible to get off, and if it is snapped, they will most likely loose them, so ...ya tying them is better:)

Since you have an archery class, why not make some arm guards..if you have enough leather for that.

That is just stuff off the top of my head, and it sounds like you are on a good path!

I just thought I would add my 2 cents:)

Have a great Summer!

Edited May 26, 2012 by chancey77

[SandSquid]

We have arrived!

I can already feel the stresses of the outside world slipping away.

[Luke Hatley]

We have arrived!

I can already feel the stresses of the outside world slipping away.

[WScott]

Just stumbled onto this thread; funny as my 9 yr old daughter had a project this week to give a speech and teach her classmates how to do something.

Naturally she chose how to make a leather wrist strap. I could not be at her presentation due to my work, but my wife said all the kids had fun.

[DoubleC]

Hi Sand. I have your box packed, two figure stamps, 2 hole punches, 3 stencils, and rawhide. I found all of it surprisingly enough. Hope you have a great time this summer. Will be mailing Friday. Cheryl

[SandSquid]

Hi Sand. I have your box packed, two figure stamps, 2 hole punches, 3 stencils, and rawhide. I found all of it surprisingly enough. Hope you have a great time this summer. Will be mailing Friday. Cheryl

You are Awesome, thanks.

things are starting to come together.

[DoubleC]

Of course they are.... you're making it happen :-) Cheryl