Working as a team, Instructor Michael Walsh and two of his Building and Maintenance students, Christian T. and Allen M. have created something beautiful, functional, and enjoyable… a picnic table! They decided together that they wanted to make something that others would be able to enjoy and something that would be seen around the CEA and Spring Run School campus.
The project spanned 22 hard-working hours, with lumber being purchased from Lowes in Flemington in early February and the completion of the table on March 4th. “So far it’s great to look at but we can’t wait to actually enjoy a picnic here when the weather warms up,” commented a CEA employee viewing the new picnic table.
At first the boys, age 17 and 18, thought the project was “over their head’s”, but as time and work ensued, they grew more confident. About halfway through the project their enthusiasm grew to the point of wanting to create more and sell them. At the completion, they were ready to embark on the next woodcraft with their new skills.
Mr. Walsh took every opportunity as one to teach, starting with the materials. The students were instructed as to how fresh lumber shrinks and dries out. Extra attention went to the selection of lumber planks that weren’t’ twisted to ensure a better product in the end. Since the picnic table is intended for outdoor use, pressure-treated lumber was important. Next was the use of tools, including power tools. Reading a tape measure, using a bevel, an adjustable square, the measurements of π, ∏, ≤, 7/8 and so on, were all pretty challenging lessons gained from this experience. The team used the existing (store-made) picnic table that sits outside of The CEA Café as a model and was able to successfully recreate their own without formal blueprints.
Several places around the CEA/SRS campus were discussed for placement of the new picnic table. The winning ground is between to two main buildings, tucked under small serene woodland, on top of pine-needle ground. It’s been informally noted that, “We may need to build a few more.”
Throughout this experience the students dreamed of starting their own business one day. They really began mastering the tools, even the screw gun which created the greatest challenge. Parents even reported how they talked about their work at home after the school day ended. With each milestone in the project, teachers were called in to view the work’s progression, and excitement grew among many. Five coats of polyurethane were applied to the table because the boys really liked the way it shined. But an even ‘shinier’ moment was when they attached the “Made By” sign to the front of their work.
So what’s the next project? “We are currently in production of a planter bench for the patio outside of the art building,” reports Michael Walsh.
For more information about the Building and Maintenance Training Program at Spring Run School or about the Center for Educational Advancement please call Michael Walsh at (908) 782-1480 Ext. 239 or e-mail mrwalsh@ceaemployment.com.
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