Woodworking summer camp teaches students how to make household items | News | columbiamissourian.com

From left, Eloise Dean, 8, Cecilia Clapp, 7, and Ira Dean, 6, wait in line with their planks of wood to get help from Cruz Chavez, founder of Sawdust Studios, on how to use the table saw Monday at Sawdust Studios in Columbia. Kids used tools, such as a miter saw, table saw, planer and nail gun, to make their planter boxes.

While summer is full of different camps for kids, such as space camps or sports camps, Sawdust Studios runs a summer camp here in Columbia: woodworking.

Cruz Chavez explains the step-by-step process for how the kids can build the planter box Monday at Sawdust Studios in Columbia. Chavez held similar summer camps last year with great success, having over 80 kids learn how to build a variety of objects in short daily sessions.

Sawdust Studios is self-described as community woodworking, working toward making the field accessible to anyone through workshops, membership opportunities, team-building exercises and summer camps.

Eloise Dean, 8, left, and Ira Dean, 6, listen intently to Cruz Chavez explain what measurements they need to make before taking their plank to the table saw Monday at Sawdust Studios in Columbia. Chavez and Zach Gramke, co-owner of Sawdust Studios, said they love teaching kids, especially when it comes to uncommon skills like woodworking being taught to younger students.

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Cruz Chavez guides a nail gun to the right spot and tells Tyler Conner, 12, when to press the trigger Monday at Sawdust Studios in Columbia. Chavez founded Sawdust Studios in 2020 with the goal of creating a community woodworking shop similar to a gym or art studio.

From right, Tyler, 12, hammers nails into his planter box while Chavez checks on Lillian McCarthy, 10, middle, and checks if her planter box is ready to be nailed Monday at Sawdust Studios in Columbia. The studio serves members with 24/7 access to the space and equipment and is also where newcomers can gain the skills to pursue the field with guided practice.

Cecilia Clapp, 7, helps clean sawdust in the studio Monday at Sawdust Studios in Columbia. Cruz Chavez taught the kids skills while prioritizing safety and organization, with cleanup after every project they created.

Michael Baniewicz works as the Assistant Director of Photographyat the Columbia Missourian. He is a senior at the MissouriSchool of Journalism pursuing a degree in photojournalism anddocumentary with minors in art and ancient Mediterranean studies.He can be contacted at [email protected]