Summer @AMP: Outdoor Design & Build
Real-life carpentry and woodworking
Three sessions:
- ODB Basic: Structure: June 23–June 27 *WAITLIST ONLY
- ODB Basic: Sculpture: June 30–July 3
- ODB Advanced: July 7–July 11
Dream it and build it! In this small-group outdoor program, tweens and teens will design, plan, and build lasting wood structures and sculptures. Working together, under the guidance of an experienced woodworker-artisan duo, participants gain practical skills—and confidence—using hand tools to create projects. Past projects include an outdoor stage, A-frame, pergola, planter boxes, and a treehouse.
In these five fun-filled days, kids will:
- Gain basic carpentry skills—measuring, cutting, fitting, and more.
- Use their own set of hand tools—and take pride in their proper care and safe use.
- Try out building techniques using modern, dimensional lumber.
- Learn to source natural materials from the environment.
- Develop spatial design aptitudes.
- Work as a team.
- Discover the sheer joy of real-life woodworking and building.
Space is limited. This is a small-group outdoor program that maintains a 3:1 student-to-teacher ratio to provide hands-on direction. Early registration is recommended.
Session 1 - ODB Basic: Structure
Learn the building techniques artists use. Create wood sculptures and armatures, craft musical instruments, and more.
Ages: 12+
Dates: Monday, June 23 – Friday, June 27
Times: 9am–3pm
Teaching Artists: Chip Heuer and Justin Truskauskas
Fee: $395
No experience is necessary for ODB Basic: Structure, but…
A keen interest in carpentry and the outdoors is a prerequisite. Participants will need to work together to complete their project successfully.
Early Bird Discount
A $25 Early Bird discount will be applied when you register before March 31.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available on a first come, first served basis.
Session 2 - ODB Basic: Sculpture
Gain practical furniture-making skills while participating in the RiseUp for Art Able TableTM initiative. Participants will:
- Design and build a structure for AMP’s campus.
- Build wheelchair/stroller-accessible picnic tables to enhance the community.
- Explore accessibility in public furniture design, ensuring that everyone “has a place at the table.”
- Contribute to tangible, community-serving projects.
- Learn how public art transforms spaces and fosters inclusion, and more.
No experience is necessary for ODB Basic: Sculpture, but…
A keen interest in carpentry and the outdoors is a prerequisite. Participants will need to work together to complete their project successfully.
Ages: 12+
Dates: Monday, June 30 – Thursday, July 3 (no session on July 4)
Times: 9am–4pm
Teaching Artists: Chip Heuer and David Polon
Partnerships: RiseUp for Art
Fee: $395
Early Bird Discount
A $25 Early Bird discount will be applied when you register before March 31.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available on a first come, first served basis.
Session 3 - ODB Advanced
Participants will apply the skills they’ve gained and learn new ones, designing and building with more autonomy. Through AMP’s partnership with the RiseUp for Art Able TableTM initiative, participants will:
Design and build a structure for AMP’s campus.Build wheelchair/stroller-accessible picnic tables to enhance the community.
Explore accessibility in public furniture design, ensuring that everyone “has a place at the table.”
Contribute to tangible, community-serving projects.
Learn how public art transforms spaces and fosters inclusion, and more.
To register for ODB ADVANCED, you MUST meet one of these requirements:
Successful completion of one of the Outdoor Design & Build BASIC sessions OR
Successful completion of ODB in a previous year OR
Passing a basic carpentry skills assessment (Request an assessment when you register.)
Ages: 12+
Dates: Monday, July 7 – Friday, July 11
Times: 9am–3pm
Teaching Artists: Chip Heuer and David Polon
Partnerships: RiseUp for Art
Fee: $395
Early Bird Discount
A $25 Early Bird discount will be applied when you register before March 31.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available on a first come, first served basis.
AMP’s summer programs are made possible in part by Thomaston Savings Bank.
