August 2022 Newsletter
Hand Camp: goofy name, great experience
Coming up fast September 16-18th is our 6th Annual Fall Hand Camp. We kind of inherited this event from a local friend who used to organize and hold it just over the border in Wisconsin. It was 2015 and they had just lost access to their location. They wondered if it would be a good fit for the Avon Hills Folk School? Turns out it was and it still is!
Each fall between 25-40 people gather at the folk school, some all three days, camping Friday and Saturday night while others just come for the day on Saturday. We have between 6-8 local, regional artists and makers who come to share their talents and craft.
The schedule looks something like this:
Come Friday to camp, gather around the fire for the evening or simply walk the trails and soak in the first days of fall.
Saturday we begin with breakfast of pancakes or waffles with our maple syrup made on the property. Then folks go to the session they chose for the morning and then one in the afternoon. So they select two of the 6-8 artists, makers present.
On Saturday evening we usually make personal pizzas fired in the oven, along with whatever folks bring for themselves or to share.
Sunday morning we have breakfast again for those who chose to stay.
Hand Camp has certainly become a tradition at the folk school that we look forward to each year. Attendance is capped - so check out the great artists and makers we have this year and plan your trip to this year’s Hand Camp on September 16-18th.
Volunteers are what make the work “Work”!
This year we have begun reaching out and recruiting volunteers to help out with some things that we can really use help with at the folk school. It’s not always exciting or “sexy”. But it’s work that needs to happen so we can continue to grow, improve and pull off the programming we hope to do each year.
Many thanks to those who have come up so far this year (and in the past!) and to opportunities coming up yet this year. Here are a few projects we have planned for this coming fall:
Finish enclosing the Sugar Shack
Finish last bit of roof on the Grindbygg
Emply, rewire and insulate the lower floor of the Shed
Install donated, lightly used windows in upper level of the Shed
Trail work: walkways across the wet, low areas on the trails at the folk school
Bouja 2022 is on the Calendar!
What: Traditional fall “soup” here in central MN
When: Saturday, October 8, 2022 (always the 2nd Saturday in Oct), from 12-6pm
Who: You! Open to everyone
Since we've launched TimberNook, we've had so many awesome questions from parents!
If you're wondering about our programs? Our location? Our amazing Team? Come on out on August 13th to check us out. Meet our team of educated, experienced, and passionate professionals.
See the natural setting that your child will be able to explore, create and gain all kinds of confidence in while playing the TimberNook way.
Our programs are Child-Led and we provide them both the space and time to fully explore their creativity, stretch their imagination and their physical capabilities while they explore the natural world. In addition, they will gain skills and confidence in collaboration, and critical thinking.
Sign up today for a morning or afternoon session to learn what TimberNook is all about.
Open House for Ages 4-7: Aug 13, from 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Open House for Ages 7-12: Aug 13, from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
