The following courses are currently scheduled -
courses are listed alphabetically by title.

  
All Stacked Up - Straw Bale Construction
Mark Morgan
Session Options:
. . . 9/26/2008 - 9/28/2008
Straw bale shelters have gained widespread recognition for their focus on efficient, environmentally-friendly and aesthetically-appealing construction techniques.  This course goes beyond the basics of theory and technique as participants gain hands-on experience building at an actual construction site of a straw bale building - from stacking bales to mixing mortars to plastering walls.  Classroom discussions explore the fundamentals of straw bale design: what’s different about a straw bale building (compared to conventional or other alternative building strategies) and what building codes and architectural requirements are required.   This course will prepare you to tackle your next sustainable building project.


Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $225      
. . . Materials Fee: $15
. . . Intergenerational Age: n/a
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: All Levels

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Build Thoreau's Cabin
Randy Schnobrich
Session Options:
. . . 4/23/2008 - 4/27/2008
. . . 9/3/2008 - 9/7/2008
This course is designed for the person with little or no building experience who wants to build a small cabin.  The techniques for building a small frame building are not only for the skilled carpenter; nearly anyone can come away from this course with the skills needed for building virtually any small structure.  You will learn the use of basic hand and power tools, and develop a knowledge of the materials and techniques used in frame or "stick" construction.  Together, the class will construct a 10' x 14' cabin based on Henry David Thoreau's "Walden" cabin with an added sleeping loft.  In addition to hands-on experience focused on framing and roofing, discussion on foundation options, siding, and window and door installation will be integrated into each day.


Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 5
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: Apr - $325; Sept - $375      
. . . Materials Fee: Included
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner

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Building With Stone - The Basics & More 
David/Lise Abazs
Session Options:
. . . 7/12/2008 - 7/13/2008
. . . 8/9/2008 - 8/10/2008
Immerse yourself in a stone building workshop at the Round River Farm. The farm is an operating organic Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm that works toward balancing its needs with what the land can provide.  It's the perfect setting for this building with stone class.  Students learn the theory and know how of building with stone using both the slip-form method and hand-building techniques.  Learn which rock to use and to avoid, and which cement to use depending on the building technique. Moreover, you will have a chance to explore interior non-structural stone building techniques as you work and learn at different stone building 'stations' encountering varied building techniques and strategies.


Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $150      
. . . Materials Fee: Included
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Fundamentals of Yurt Construction
Mark Hansen/Matthew Brown
Session Options:
. . . 10/16/2008 - 10/21/2008
Discover centuries-old yurt construction techniques and pursue your own 'building in the round' shelter project.  This course offers you the chance to design and construct a portable yurt to suit your needs- exploring the basic principles and  techniques of yurt construction.  Whether you want to expand the comfort zone of your winter camping trips or you are interested in a lifestyle that includes living in a circular space with the wilderness outside your door, this course will provide the skills to pursue your own yurt construction project.  Evening sessions will include films and a variety of discussion topics on the history and craft of yurt construction.  At the conclusion of this course, a complete set of drawings and materials list to construct your own yurt will be available.

Other topics covered include spatial arrangements, ventilation, lighting, insulation, and foundations and platforms.  The course begins by constructing the wooden lattice framework, explores the use of modern fabrics for weatherproofing and provides hands-on sewing experience required to finish the dwelling.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 6
. . . Hours: 9am-4pm
. . . Tuition: $410      
. . . Materials Fee: Included
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Handcrafting Doors - From Stiles to Rails
Randy Schnobrich
Session Options:
. . . 1/24/2009 - 1/25/2009
Doors play a role in everyone’s day-to-day life, whether solid, windowed or screened. They do everything from keeping the weather out to guarding our belongings. In this course, you'll learn about the basic techniques of door construction.   Styles include a basic interior door (32” wide) and a screen door (36” wide). If time allows cabinet doors will also be discussed. Each day will include the use of a table saw for material preparation and mortise-tenon joinery.  Interested students have the opportunity to purchase the completed doors (approx $125/door) at the end of the weekend.

The primary focus of this course is building a two-panel door with mortise and tenon joinery.  The skills needed to create a full-size interior door will be emphasized, but these can easily be adapted for building exterior doors.  A classic single-panel cabinet door may also be built if time allows.  Door finishing will be discussed as well.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $175      
. . . Materials Fee: Included
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Log Building - An Introduction
Jon Strom
Session Options:
. . . 7/10/2008 - 7/14/2008
Are you thinking of building a log home?  This is your opportunity to learn about  the whole log building process from site preparation to shaping logs to discussions on home design.  This course is a real hands-on experience through which you'll learn what techniques are needed to build a log structure that is durable, warm and efficient in our northern climate.  Working as a group, participants use green logs to learn notching techniques used for floor joists and rafters.  Logs will be used in their original round shape with several different types of notches to build chinkless walls.  The development of basic round-corner notching into tighter fitting techniques such as the butterfly notch will be explained and used.   If you want to learn the techniques of log building, then this course is for you!

Students will also discover how log buildings can be taken apart and reassembled at any location using the techniques taught in this class.  Other topics covered include site preparation, basic saw maintenance including sharpening techniques, peeling bark with drawknives, shovels and spuds, preparing for and installing doors, roof systems, and log lifting systems.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 5
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $375      
. . . Materials Fee: $25
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner

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Nomadic Pursuits – Building Your Own Portable Yurt
Kurt Buetow/Mark Hansen
Session Options:
. . . 10/16/2008 - 10/21/2008
Create yourself a comfortable living space for your next winter expedition, summer canoe trip, the back 40 or your base camp in just five productive days.  The 10-foot yurt (approx 60-100 lbs) is an excellent portable shelter option that provides comfortable living arrangements for all four seasons.   As a starting point you will explore the most basic design function of the yurt, a collapsible wooden frame covered by a weather-proof fabric to create a shelter that’s both comfortable and highly mobile.  The course begins by constructing the wooden lattice framework, explores the use of modern fabrics for weatherproofing and provides hands-on sewing experience required to finish the dwelling.  Students will have the option of sewing a simple zipper entryway or constructing a set of durable french doors to aid in access and lighting.  Evening sessions will include films and a variety of discussion topics on the history and craft of yurt construction.

Other discussion points covered in this course include covers and rain fly options, heating sources, yurt-furniture, lighting and insulation as well as flooring and decking - applicable to any yurt construction project of varying sizes.  Once completed, your yurt includes, collapsible wooden framework, canvas walls/roof, skylight, thimble for stovepipe and carrying bags and plexiglass skylight.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 5
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $2,010 per yurt (add $325 for french doors)      
. . . Materials Fee: Included
. . . Intergenerational Age: 12+
. . . Intergenerational Tuition: n/a
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced