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Youth Training Program
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Youth Training Program
The NorCal Turning Center is in a classroom at a local school. The school serves special education junior high students. We teach youth once a week and club members with periodic workshops and drop in sessions.
The fully equipped woodturning shop has 8 Jet 1221VS lathes and a standard box of tools and accessories for each lathe. Shared shop resources includes 2 sharpening stations, drill press, sanding station, bandsaw and procedures and blanks for 12 basic projects.
The program started in July 2011 with a 4 week summer workshop. Success has led to the program returning each year since. The 2 hour Youth Turning sessions with one-on-one coaching are held weekly during the school year. Students attend because of their friendly and positive relations with adult coaches and the pride of accomplishment. They also develop self discipline, teamwork and problem solving skills. These positive experiences may be a first in their young, often troubled, lives. These benefits move with them to their other classes. Students behave because they “want to come back next week.” Students leave each session with something they made with their own hands. The program has received accolades from school staff and the Board of Education. The school has participated in equipment purchase with the club. Individual club members have donated substantial equipment and supplies as well.
Our club was featured on Channel 10 News, the Board of Education Newsletter, and the Arden–Carmichael News. Ted Young's recollection of how the Youth Training Program was founded is HERE. Picture below shows Ted (right) and other early participants. | |
You are most welcome to visit us anytime, and of course to join our programs.
We always need volunteers for a variety of tasks, not just coaching youth.