2027
SUMMER
BUILD
SERIES
We are excited to introduce our very first Summer Build Series for school-aged students! This program is designed to give students a fun, hands-on introduction to woodworking in a real professional shop environment. Students will spend each week learning practical skills while designing and building their own project from start to finish.
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Whether your child enjoys working with their hands, wants to learn new skills, or simply wants to try something different this summer, our build camps offer a unique and rewarding experience.
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Program Details
Age Range: 12–17 years old
Time: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (5 hours per day)
Days: Monday – Thursday
Summer Program Duration: June 7 – August 12
Total Programs: 10 separate one-week camps
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Each week features a different project and building experience, so students can enroll in one week or join us for multiple sessions throughout the summer.
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About WorkbenchRVA
WorkbenchRVA is a fully functioning professional woodworking and cabinet shop. In addition to building custom cabinetry and furniture, we offer memberships to the public and teach woodworking classes throughout the year.
Our shop is equipped with professional-grade tools and equipment, and our instructors bring years of woodworking and industry experience.
The goal of this camp is not to mass-produce furniture or rush through projects. Instead, we want students to learn the fundamentals of woodworking, gain confidence using tools, and experience what it is like to work inside a woodshop.
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What Students Will Learn
Throughout the week students will gain hands-on experience with:
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Shop safety and proper tool handling
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Basic woodworking tools and machines
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Measuring and layout techniques
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Wood types and materials
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Cutting, sanding, and shaping wood
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Joinery and assembly methods
By the end of the week, each student will have completed a fully functional woodworking project they built themselves.
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How the Weekly Camps Work
Each camp is designed to guide students through the process of creating a woodworking project from start to finish. At the beginning of the week, students will review the project plans, discuss the materials being used, and learn about the tools required to complete the build. As the week progresses, they will work alongside instructors to measure, cut, shape, and assemble the parts of their project.
Throughout the process, students will gain hands-on experience using woodworking tools while learning important shop skills and safety practices. By the end of the week, each student will complete their project and take it home with them.
Detailed daily schedules and project information will be provided for each individual camp.
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Safety
Safety is and will always be our highest priority of the shop and these camps.
We understand that many students may have never stepped inside a woodworking shop before, and may be unfamiliar with tools and machinery. Our instructors have extensive experience in woodworking and shop safety and will closely supervise all activities.
Students will:
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Receive tool safety orientation
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Learn proper machine usage before beginning work
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Always work under instructor supervision
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Only use tools they are comfortable with
Students will NEVER be required to perform any task that makes them uncomfortable.
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Weekly Camp Projects
A complete list of weekly camps and project descriptions is available below. Each camp includes a detailed overview of the project, the skills students will learn, and what they will build during the week.
We encourage families to review the project plans together before enrolling.
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Registration & Forms
Before attending camp, parents must:
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Review and complete the Student Handbook
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Review the Additional Program Details
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Print and sign the required Safety Waiver
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
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We look forward to welcoming your young builders into the shop this summer!
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Registration Deadline
REGISTRATION FOR SUMMER BUILD CAMPS WILL CLOSE ON MAY 31ST.
This allows our instructors time to order lumber, hardware, and supplies so that each student has their own materials ready at the start of camp.
We encourage families to register early, as class sizes are limited and some weeks may fill up before the registration deadline.
WEEK 1
(jUNE 7-10)
small bookcase
We're kicking off the Summer Build Series with a simple small bookcase. This bookcase will be the perfect addition to your child's room. Hold textbooks, papers, novels, and more with this versatile project. They'll learn all about building and afterward, this bookcase will be great for when they head back to school!
"The bookshelf, like the book, has become an integral part of civilization as we know it, its presence in a home practically defining what it means to be civilized, educated, and refined." - ​Henry Petroski
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This is the Week 1 Project
Dates: Monday June 7th - Thursday June 10th
Start Time: 9AM
End Time: 2PM
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Additional Program Details Here>
Safety Waiver Here>​​​
This is the Week 1 class. We meet four (4) days of the week of June 7th-June 10th. The first meeting begins at 9am on Monday June 7th and concludes at 2pm that same day. The final meeting will be on Thursday June 10th at 9am and concludes at 2pm that same day. Thursday is the final meeting day for this Week 1 class. That Friday shall be the make-up day, if needed.
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Please note:
These are generic photos, the actual project may very slightly.
These classes will only be offered ONCE per year, once it's gone it's gone.
WEEK 2
(jUNE 14-17)
Clothes Dresser
For this next week of the Summer Build Series, we will be making a clothes dresser. This project will be great to help store and organize your kiddos clothes. Perhaps if they make the dresser, they'll be more likely to put their clothes away This dresser features five (5) drawers and nearly all solid hardwood to last a lifetime.​
"Fashions fade, style is eternal." - Yves Saint Laurent
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This is the Week 2 Project
Date: Monday June 14th - Thursday June 17th
Start Time: 9AM
End Time: 2PM
This is the Week 2 class. We meet four (4) days of the week of June 14th-June 17th. The first meeting begins at 9am on Monday June 14th and concludes at 2pm that same day. The final meeting will be on Thursday June 17th at 9am and concludes at 2pm that same day. Thursday is the final meeting day for this Week 2 class. That Friday shall be the make-up day, if needed.
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Please note:
These are generic photos, the actual project may very slightly.
These classes will only be offered ONCE per year, once it's gone it's gone.
WEEK 3
(jUNE 21-24)
Computer Desk
The next project for the Summer Build Series will be a computer desk. This project will help your student when he gets back to school. Do homework, research, coursework and more. Everyone needs a good desk!​
"If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?" - Albert Einstein
This is the Week 3 Project
Date: Monday June 21st - Thursday June 24th
Start Time: 9AM
End Time: 2PM
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This is the Week 3 class. We meet four (4) days of the week of June 21st-June 24th. The first meeting begins at 9am on Monday June 21st and concludes at 2pm that same day. The final meeting will be on Thursday June 24th at 9am and concludes at 2pm that same day. Thursday is the final meeting day for this Week 3 class. That Friday shall be the make-up day, if needed.
Please note:
These are generic photos, the actual project may very slightly.
These classes will only be offered ONCE per year, once it's gone it's gone.
WEEK 4
(jUNE 28-July 1)
Chessboard
Next for our Summer Build Series will be a chessboard. This is such a wonderful project, not only to make, but to enjoy afterward. This board will be made of very unique and exotic woods that aren't normally used in the world of woodwork. This chessboard will have storage for pieces, but unfortunately, we will not be making the pieces in this class.​
"The beauty of the move lies not in its appearance but in the thought behind it" - Aaron Nimzowitsch
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This is the Week 4 Project
Date: Monday June 28th - Thursday July 1st
Start Time: 9AM
End Time: 2PM
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This is the Week 4 class. We meet four (4) days of the week of June 28th-July 1st. The first meeting begins at 9am on Monday June 28th and concludes at 2pm that same day. The final meeting will be on Thursday July 1st at 9am and concludes at 2pm that same day. Thursday is the final meeting day for this Week 4 class. That Friday shall be the make-up day, if needed.
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Please note:
These are generic photos, the actual project may very slightly.
These classes will only be offered ONCE per year, once it's gone it's gone.
WEEK 5
(jUly 5-8)
Storage Bench
Next on the agenda for the Summer Build Series is a storage bench that can double as a regular bench. This bench can help hold and organize toys, belongings, sheets, and more. This will be a fun class with plenty of fun skills and things to learn along the way.
"Clutter is caused by a failure to return things to where they belong. Therefore, storage should reduce the effort needed to put things away, not the effort needed to get them out." - Marie Kondo
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This is the Week 5 Project
Date: Monday July 5th - Thursday July 8th
Start Time: 9AM
End Time: 2PM
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This is the Week 5 class. We meet four (4) days of the week of July 5th-July 8th. The first meeting begins at 9am on Monday July 5th and concludes at 2pm that same day. The final meeting will be on Thursday July 8th at 9am and concludes at 2pm that same day. Thursday is the final meeting day for this Week 5 class. That Friday shall be the make-up day, if needed.
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Please note:
These are generic photos, the actual project may very slightly.
These classes will only be offered ONCE per year, once it's gone it's gone.
WEEK 6
(jUly 12-15)
Bed Frame
Our next Summer Build Series project will be a wooden bed frame. This bed frame will be made to hold a twin mattress. The bed frame will use knock-down connectors to come apart for easier transport and reconstruction. This will be a great project not only for now but for use later, like in college.​
"Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise" - Benjamin Franklin
This is the Week 6 Project
Date: Monday July 12th - Thursday July 15th
Start Time: 9AM
End Time: 2PM
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This is the Week 6 class. We meet four (4) days of the week of July 12th-July 15th. The first meeting begins at 9am on Monday July 12th and concludes at 2pm that same day. The final meeting will be on Thursday July 15th at 9am and concludes at 2pm that same day. Thursday is the final meeting day for this Week 6 class. That Friday shall be the make-up day, if needed.
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Please note:
These are generic photos, the actual project may very slightly.
These classes will only be offered ONCE per year, once it's gone it's gone.
WEEK 7
(jUly 19-22)
Clothes Hamper
Our next project is another clothing organizational project, similar to the dresser in that it will hold clothes, the difference this time is the clothes are dirty and need to be washed. This clothes hamper features a tilt open door with a plastic bin inside to store and hold dirty clothes until they're ready for the wash.​
"You can never be overdressed or overeducated." - Oscar Wilde
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This is the Week 7 Project
Date: Monday July 19th - Thursday July 22nd
Start Time: 9AM
End Time: 2PM
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This is the Week 7 class. We meet four (4) days of the week of July 19th-July 22nd. The first meeting begins at 9am on Monday July 19th and concludes at 2pm that same day. The final meeting will be on Thursday July 22nd at 9am and concludes at 2pm that same day. Thursday is the final meeting day for this Week 7 class. That Friday shall be the make-up day, if needed.
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Please note:
These are generic photos, the actual project may very slightly.
These classes will only be offered ONCE per year, once it's gone it's gone.
WEEK 8
(JUly 26-29)
Nightstand
Next on our Summer Build Series agenda is a nightstand, but no ordinary nightstand, this bedside table will feature wireless charging for phones or electronics! This super cool project will also feature one drawer and two (2) shelves for maximum storage.
"I always have several books on the go at any one moment, so it's no good you asking 'What's on the bedside table at the moment, Emma?' because often I can't even see the table!" - Emma Watson
This is the Week 8 Project
Date: Monday July 26th - Thursday July 29th
Start Time: 9AM
End Time: 2PM
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This is the Week 8 class. We meet four (4) days of the week of July 26th-July 29th. The first meeting begins at 9am on Monday July 26th and concludes at 2pm that same day. The final meeting will be on Thursday July 29th at 9am and concludes at 2pm that same day. Thursday is the final meeting day for this Week 8 class. That Friday shall be the make-up day, if needed.
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Please note:
These are generic photos, the actual project may very slightly.
These classes will only be offered ONCE per year, once it's gone it's gone.
WEEK 9
(August 2-5)
Pendulum wall clock
As we near the end of the Summer Build Series we will be making a project that combines electronics as well as woodworking. We will be making a pendulum wall clock. This will be such a cool project that will be a great timepiece for years to come.
"We must not allow the clock and the calendar to blind us to the fact that each moment of life is a miracle and mystery." - H. G. Wells
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This is the Week 9 Project
Date: Monday August 2nd - Thursday August 5th
Start Time: 9AM
End Time: 2PM
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This is the Week 9 class. We meet four (4) days of the week of August 2nd-August 5th. The first meeting begins at 9am on Monday August 2nd and concludes at 2pm that same day. The final meeting will be on Thursday August 5th at 9am and concludes at 2pm that same day. Thursday is the final meeting day for this Week 9 class. That Friday shall be the make-up day, if needed.
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Please note:
These are generic photos, the actual project may very slightly.
These classes will only be offered ONCE per year, once it's gone it's gone.
WEEK 10
(August 9-12)
Game Table
As we conclude the Summer Build Series for the year, we'll finish with a fun and exciting build, this gaming table will certainty be a hit in your house. Use it as a regular coffee table and then remove the table top lid pieces to use for games or puzzles.
"In the world of games, the most important rule is this: There are no rules. Let your creativity guide you." - Markus Persson
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This is the Week 10 Project
Date: Monday August 9th - Thursday August 12th
Start Time: 9AM
End Time: 2PM
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This is the Week 10 class. We meet four (4) days of the week of August 9th-August 12th. The first meeting begins at 9am on Monday August 9th and concludes at 2pm that same day. The final meeting will be on Thursday August 12th at 9am and concludes at 2pm that same day. Thursday is the final meeting day for this Week 10 class. That Friday shall be the make-up day, if needed.
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Please note:
These are generic photos, the actual project may very slightly.
These classes will only be offered ONCE per year, once it's gone it's gone.