Join us for our upcoming work weekend. Yes, we are looking for a few people to help set up our temporary classroom shelter and our ash pounding classroom. Students that participate in this weekend will also have the opportunity to cut and process ash for basket weaving. This will be a full weekend of working, playing and learning. This weekend is design for students that have taken a pack basket class with Wood Thrush Wilderness.

On the first day, we will focus on setting up the classroom. We will also begin preparing the ash materials for weaving: participants will learn how to identify White Ash and Brown Ash trees, strip bark, pound trunks, and cut splints for the next day's weaving. We will be using draw knives, carving knives, hammers/mallets, and other tools to process our basket material. Understanding knife skills and having good hand strength will be helpful. This workshop will be physically demanding; students will be required to swing a 3lb mallet for several hours. Note we will rotate through stations to complete the work. This will give our hands and arms a break. All students will help each other as we process the material.

The second day we will continue to process ash and begin making our 12-18” pack basket. The size of the basket will depend on how efficient we are at setting up the classroom. Our instructor will provide step-by-step instructions to help you create your basket. Students will also receive wooden feet, base, and 1” cotton harnesses for their baskets. Baskets may need to be finished at home, especially if we work on larger baskets.

This is a full weekend workshop. The classes start at 8:30am with coffee, tea, and snacks. We will end the days around 5pm. We will have some food available at lunch, we encourage folks to bring a dish to pass. The class will be entirely outside with access to bathrooms and water. Be prepared for the weather. Camping is available please contact woodthrushwilderness@gmail.com

Limited Size