July 2022 Newsletter
Building Creative Confidence and Community in the Avon Hills
June (and May) have been exciting months at the Avon Hills Folk School for many reasons and all of them contribute to offering opportunities for all ages to build their Creative Confidence. And to explore in a different and deeper way.
Timber Framing (back to May)
I know that was May, but what a great example of a group of people of varying ages, experiences, and skill levels coming together to learn a new skill. New to all of them! Everyone was able to stretch their Creative Muscle and in the end, make tremendous growth. And as usual, in the end, we had another small sub-community of the Avon Hills Folk School as a result.
NOTE: We have plans to bring Clark back August 12-14th for a build your own Timber Frame sawhorses class. Check back soon.
Being in the Woods, with Betsy Johnson
Local English professor, author, preacher, and Yoga instructor Betsy Johnson led what we hope to be the first of many experiences along Spunk Creek at the Folk School. I’ll mostly let Sara’s testimonial speak for itself, but suffice to say that although the mosquitoes were probably the worst they have been, participants praised the afternoon of yoga, meditation, tea, writing, and culminating in a group meal.
“Avon Hills Folk School and Betsy Johnson did a phenomenal job putting together a yoga workshop in the woods. Betsy's guidance in yoga, meditation and writing created an amazing and thoughtful experience. And the location couldn’t have been more conducive to getting still and taking in all of the beauty nature loves on us without asking.” -Sara
We look forward to welcoming Betsy back again this fall. Planning for after the first “killing frost”.
TimberNook!!
It’s official - TimberNook Central MN has officially launched at the Avon Hills Folk School. We are beyond excited to begin offering this experience to the children of Central Minnesota. It was a super successful launch with 18 children ages 4-7 coming each day for three days to experience together truly child-led play in the outdoors. New friendships were formed, fears overcome and many exciting adventures were had during the three days.
We welcomed TimberNook founder Angela Hanscom here during our launch. She helped us to get started off on the right foot as well as gave a presentation during her stay for others interested in this new program for children.
TimberNook is an innovative, nature-based developmental program designed to foster creativity, imagination, and independent play in the great outdoors. There is so much more to say about this program. We’ll let some of our TimberNook Team talk about this in an upcoming Newsletter.
For more information go to: timbernook.com
What’s next?
We are looking forward to filling out our TimberNook experiences and dates for the balance of the summer this week. Check back soon!
Coming up in just three weeks is our 3rd Youth Arts and Maker Camp (previously known as Youth Hand Camp). We’re really looking forward to welcoming up to 32 youth roughly ages 8-12 for 3 days of day camp that will provide them opportunities to experience nature, arts and to really dig deep into their creative self. We’ve got a SUPER line-up of Artists, Makers, and Naturalists. It’s going to be great! As of this newsletter, only 4 spots remain.
Check back often as we add more experiences this summer and into the fall.
Thank you for all your interest, support, and contributions as we continue to grow the Avon Hills Folk School- every time someone stops out, takes a class, visits, or sends a child - they contribute to what we will someday become.
With gratitude,
Chris Schellinger
Founder & Executive Director
Avon Hills Folk School
Hand Dipped Bees Wax Candle Workshop
Join Sister Thomasette Scheeler of the Sisters of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, MN at the Avon Hills Folk School to Dip 100% Bees Wax Candles. The Sisters of Saint Benedict have a long tradition of candle making from bees wax. Although they no longer raise bees, the tradition of candle making continues using cast iron molds in the artisan studio.
Saturday, July 16, 2022
10:00am – 12:00pm
Each participant can expect to experience the candle making process, learn the technique of hand dipping bees wax candles and bring home 2-3 hand dipped candles of various sizes.
Sister Thomasette’s work experience ranges from serving in health care as a hospice nurse and in the mental health unit at the St. Cloud Hospital teaching print making and graphic design. As a print maker and paper maker, she views the artistic process as her way to connect with nature and honor the earth. In recent years, Sister Thomasette she was the coordinator of the Monastic Enterprise Arts/Crafts for the Sisters of Saint Benedict representing and marketing works of over 70 sisters of the monastic community.
This class is intended for Adults and High School Students. If you’re looking for children’s programming, check out your TimberNook page, or our Youth Arts and Makers Camp.
Upcoming Classes and Experiences
Hand-Dipped Beeswax Candle Workshop - July 16
Youth Arts and Makers Camp - July 19 - 21
Hand Camp - September 16 - 18
Annual Community Bouja Party - October 8
Upcoming Classes with Dates to Be Determined
Mushroom Foraging in the Avon Hills
Summer TimberNook Experiences
Timber Frame Saw Horses
