Courses & Workshops

Courses and Workshops 2011

LCMM is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Lake Champlain. With this mission in mind we have brought you some of the finest instructors offering an incredible range of learning opportunities. Courses in:

We're trying something new this year: Chart Your Own Course. Now you and your friends and family can book a class with a top-quality instructor to fit your own schedule and interests. Don't see what you want? We invite you to suggest additional topics.

Especially for Kids - Summer Programs for Kids

We offer a whole range of summer programs for kids: Read about them all here.

Native American Crafts & Lore
Pond Yachts
Skin Diver
Sailor Arts
Colonial Crafts & Trades
On-Water Ecology
Saturday Story Hour
Champlain Discovery
Boy Scout Archaeology Merit Badge
and more! Read about them all here.

Boatbuilding

Family Boat Building Weekend
LCMM Staff
Spend a 3-day weekend with family members or friends building, finishing and launching a 12’ Bevin’s Rowing Skiff. This traditional designed boat kit from the Alexandria Seaport Foundation is nailed construction, not stitch and glue. Participants will need to provide some basic tools (a list will be provided). No special carpentry skills needed.
Fri - Sun July 8-10, 2011 9am - 4:30pm
Cost $1350 per family or group. No member discount on this course. Registration deadline: May 4, 2011.

Champlain Discovery (For Teens)
LCMM Staff
This exciting co-educational program will give ten individuals, age 13–16, the opportunity to build a 17' sea kayak, then launch their newly built boats and embark on a 11-day paddling and camping exploration of Lake Champlain. Students own the kayak they build upon completion of the program.

Building the kayaks.

Boat Building The first three weeks will be a day-program (students are responsible for transportation during this part of the program) held at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. During this segment students will build their kayaks as well as learn kayaking and wilderness skills. Students also choose, and take part in, a variety of sports and group activities. Lunch and snacks are provided.

Kayaking and Camping This 12-day kayaking adventure will launch from Whitehall, NY and head north on Lake Champlain, to Burlington, VT. Paddling and camping will be interspersed with visits to sites of historical and ecological significance. Champlain Discovery is a challenging program, offering an opportunity for great personal growth. We will be living outdoors for the 11-day trip, whatever the weather. We may paddle many miles in a day, with winds that may or may not cooperate. Everyone will share responsibility for cooking, cleaning, personal and group safety. Champlain Discovery strives to create a challenging and supportive environment.

Dates:
June 18 - July 22, 2012

Cost Full tuition is $2,950, which includes all instruction, kayak materials, food and use of major camping equipment during the kayaking and camping portion of the program.

LCMM offers scholarships for qualified students with financial need. Email or Print & Mail the 2012 Application to Nick Patch:
nickp@lcmm.org
LCMM, 4472 Basin Harbor Rd, Vergennes, VT 05491

Photography

Digital Photography
Jim Blair
Learn from the best! Jim Blair, a professional photographer from National Geographic Magazine, will guide students through the basics of digital photography – lighting, composition and the basic functions of the camera. The unique ability of the digital camera allows the student to preview and even print a photo without the delay or cost of developing. This ability is a great instructional aid. Bring your digital camera and don’t miss this unique opportunity! Sign up now. 2-Day class. Size limited.
Sat & Sun July 9-10, 2011 9:30 – 4:30
Cost $150

Blacksmithing

Read about Blacksmithing at LCMM: facilities, special events, and more.

Basic Blacksmithing Workshops 2 or 3 Day
Peter Wells
Open to students with no previous metalworking experience, these workshops cover basic iron working skills including coal forge management, tools and materials of the trade and basic forging techniques. Though the emphasis is on technique, students may expect to complete several projects during the workshop. The two day workshop covers basic skills, the three day workshops adds more detail and time for practice.
Dates:
2 Day July 9-10, 2011 9:30 – 4:30
3 Day August 5-7, 2011 9:30 – 4:30
Cost:
2 Day - $210.00
3 Day $280.00

Introduction To Traditional Door Hardware
Lucian Avery
This 2 day workshop will focus on using traditional forging techniques to make early American styled door hardware. Students have a choice of several designs of thumb latches or strap hinges as their project. This workshop is for students with previous blacksmithing experience.
Date: Choose the time that works for you - Chart Your Own Course
Cost: $215

Basic Blacksmithing For Teens
Robert Wetzel
This 2 day workshop is designed for youths ages 14 – 17. You will learn management of a traditional blacksmiths forge and the techniques of shaping hot iron into useful or decorative items. Expect to complete several projects using basic forming techniques.
No previous experience required,
Dates: July 11-12, 2011
Cost: $165.00

Teen Advanced Blacksmithing Projects
Robert Wetzel
Robert Wetzel offers an advanced projects workshop for teenage students with previous blacksmithing experience. Enhance your design and forgery skills.
Dates: August 8-9, 2011 10:00 – 4:00
Cost: $165.00

Traditional Joinery – Tenons, Collars & Rivets
Judson Yaggy
Learn traditional blacksmith techniques of joining metals without modern welding equipment. Forge some basic tools and use them to make mortise and tenon joints by slitting and drifting. We will also be wrapping multiple bars with collars as well as making and setting decorative rivets. For students with previous blacksmithing experience.
Date: Choose the time that works for you - Chart Your Own Course
Cost: $215

Brian Anderson

Advanced Blacksmithing Projects
Brian Anderson
Brian Anderson offers an advanced projects workshop for adult students with previous blacksmithing experience. Enhance your design and forgery skills. Submit a design concept in advance and work with Brian on developing your idea from concept to finished work.
Dates: Choose the time that works for you - Chart Your Own Course
Cost: $215.00

A Day at the Forge with Peter Wells
Peter Wells
Have you ever wondered what it is like to stand at a blacksmiths forge and hammer a piece of red hot steel into a useful or decorative shape? Here is your chance to find out! This workshop is introductory and does will not cover all the details of our longer sessions. However, it will provide a day of history, demonstrations of tools and techniques, examples of antique blacksmiths work, and a fun opportunity for plenty of hands-on participation. With a little perseverance, you will go home with an iron artifact wrought by your own hand. Open to anyone, no metalworking experience required.
Dates: Saturday, August 20, 2011 9:30 – 4:30
Cost: $85

Field Trips & Natural History

Basic Sea Kayaking
LCMM Staff
Join our nationally certified guides for a course that covers the fundamentals of kayak touring - on-land orientation that will familiarize you with the kayak itself and the equipment needed to safely paddle out on the open water. Heading out on the water the focus will shift to learning the fundamental skills -launching and landing techniques, paddle strokes, and wet-exit and re-entry procedures. Additionally, we will spend time discussing trip planning, the role of weather and proper outfitting. All equipment related to the kayak (paddle, kayak, PFD, spray skirt) will/can be provided by LCMM.
Dates: June 11, July 9 or August 13, 2011 9:00am to 1:00pm
Cost: $70 (if you bring your own kayak etc.) $90 (if we supply equipment)

Nature Detectives - Ages 10 - 18
Half day activity focusing on sharpening observation skills for youth, “Observation Hike” activities help students to describe nature-related experiences in writing and art. Students need to be prepared to use all their senses.
Dates: Available year round - Choose the time that works for you - Chart Your Own Course
Cost: $45 per student

Leaf Prints - Ages 10 - 18
This one-day course combines natural history study and hands-on art, focusing on regional plant species. Students make simple nature art ink prints, based on varying “hidden” patterns in nature.
Dates: Available summer - Choose the time that works for you - Chart Your Own Course.
Cost: $55 per student plus $10 material fee.

Environmental Concepts – I.C.A.R.E. - Ages 10 - 18
This is a series of activities of safe, supervised, indoor/outdoor ecology and environmental education active-learning experiences, great for on-going curriculum supplementation.
Dates: Available year round - Choose the time that works for you - Chart Your Own Course
Cost: $45 per student

Natural History Study - Ages 15 and up
One day seminar/field study of available flora/fauna of the season and nature-related topics; can be part of a series of outdoor learning workshops.
Dates: Available year round - Choose the time that works for you - Chart Your Own Course
Cost: $55.

Snowshoe Winter Day Hike -
Half day low impact wellness activity combined with winter natural history study. In many cases, initial use of new snowshoes, students provide their own.
Dates: Winter - Choose the time that works for you - Chart Your Own Course
Cost: $45 per student

Core Outdoor Skills – Ages 15 and up
One day course starts with basics. You’ll learn direction finding, weather awareness, campsite selection, survival shelter, low-impact fire making, north woods climate/wildlife, safe water, wilderness first aid basics, tree/wildflower I.D. and how not to get lost. Leave No Trace outdoor philosophy.
Dates: Available year round - Choose the time that works for you - Chart Your Own Course
Cost: $55 per student

Connecting People with Nature - Ages 15 and up
One day course - preserving the past through ethno-botany study. People often overlook common plants with medicinal qualities, used by regional Native Americans. Seminar/ field study will help increase botanical awareness. Best suited to participants w/ science background or high interest in botany study.
Dates: Available year round - Choose the time that works for you - Chart Your Own Course
Cost: $55 per student.

Field Journaling for Art & Science - Ages 15 and up
One day course - Documentation of flora and fauna, field observations with accurate scientific information include drawings & diagrams. Outcome: Students are motivated to begin developing a portfolio of illustrated scientific data. 15 and older,
Dates: Available Spring and Summer - Choose the time that works for you - Chart Your Own Course
Cost: $55 per student.

Regional Botany Study - Ages 15 and up
“wildflower walk” day hike at a pre-determined location, focusing on available seasonal flora, through the lens of environmental education. Students must be prepared for weather conditions, hiking footwear, lunch, water, camera, etc.
Dates: Available Spring and Summer - Choose the time that works for you - Chart Your Own Course
Cost: $55 per student.

Survival Orienteering - ages 18 and up
One-day “crash course” - outdoor-skill essentials of map & compass, low-impact fire building, shelter building, first aid, survival basics - group dynamics, and team building skills.
Dates: Available year-round - Choose the time that works for you - Chart Your Own Course
Cost: $55 per student.

One-day Adventure Day Hike - ages 18 and up
A nice way to tie in a day of outdoor recreation in your vacation or visit. These excursions require some knowledge for the best fun and safe traveling. Trip planning, basic map skills and a few unique tips can turn outdoor experience time into whole family experiences.
Dates: Available year-round - Choose the time that works for you - Chart Your Own Course
Cost: $55 per student.

Private Guide Service - ages 18 and up
A certified guide will provide a private guided experience offers an excellent alternative to many workshops. The one-to-one relationship enables the experience to be formatted to your interests. Rather than instruction, these trips provide excellent opportunities for those who already know outdoor techniques to gain important experience on a more individual basis. Equipment list provided.
Dates: Available year-round - Choose the time that works for you - Chart Your Own Course
Cost: $225 Flat Rate (1-2 Clients) $100 each beyond 2

Community Rowing - ages 18 and up
The Community Rowing Club offers adult rowing every week May through October. Community members sign up to experience the beauty of Lake Champlain while getting a great physical work-out. Adult community teams also participate in regional rowing competitions.
Not sure if it's right for you? Just join us for a row! If you get hooked (and we know you will) a $70 LCMM Rowing Club membership fee allows you to join any of our weekly rows for the whole season.
Sign Up! Contact Karen Gallott at (802) 475-2022, ext 121 or kareng@lcmm.org

Basketry & Fiber Arts

Weaving - ages 10 to adult
Beginners and intermediate. Choice of business card basket, napkin basket or handled baskets.
Dates: Choose the time that works for you - Chart Your Own Course.
Cost: $30/ student includes materials.

Pine Needle Coiled Basketry - ages 18 and up
One day course - traditional woodland Native American craft skills for students to produce pine needle baskets in a coiled technique. Material acquisition and preparation will be emphasized.
Dates: Available year round - Choose the time that works for you - Chart Your Own Course.
Cost:$55 per student plus $15 materials fee

Birch Bark Container Making - ages 18 and up
Two day course in traditional materials acquisition, preparation, skills and techniques of woodland Native American birch bark container making.
Dates: Available Spring/Summer - Choose the time that works for you - Chart Your Own Course.
Cost: $90 per student plus $15 materials fee

Porcupine Quillwork Demonstration - ages 18 and up
Half day presentation and demonstration of the woodland Native American ancient art form of dyed porcupine quillwork, in the birch bark-insertion method.
Dates: Available year round - Choose the time that works for you - Chart Your Own Course.
Cost: $45 per student.

Chair Seat Caning Workshop - ages 18 and up
One- or two-day course - tools, materials, and the seven step process of caning a replacement chair seat. Direct material sources are recommended, so material cost may vary per student.
Dates: Available year round - Choose the time that works for you - Chart Your Own Course.
Cost: $55 per student (1 day), $90 per student (2 day) plus material cost. Bring your own chair.
Note: Chair seat caning available starting at $1.00 per hole (each small, regular sized hole).

Maritime Skills

Land Navigation Essentials - Ages 15 and up
One day -classroom reading topographic maps & magnetic compass use skills: compass nomenclature (parts), a bearing, map bearing rules / field bearing rules. Fieldwork including: setting/facing/walking a bearing, real compass walk, field bearing, plotting location.
Dates: Available year round - Choose the time that works for you - Chart Your Own Course.
Cost: $45 per student

Course Registration
You are registered for a class when we receive your registration fee. You can enroll by calling Chris McClain at 802-475-2022, ext 101, between 9:00–4:30, M–F. We accept Master Card, Visa, check or money order.

Setting
Unless otherwise noted, our courses are offered at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum's campus at Basin Harbor. Classroom space is available for slide presentations, lectures and discussions. Bring clothes suitable to your course and the weather. Foul weather gear and sun protection are a necessity for on-water activities. Work clothes are appropriate for shop activities. Parking is available at all sites. Bring a lunch and water bottle each day.

Qualifications
All courses are co-educational and are open to both novices and advanced students. The main requirement is a desire to learn. We keep our courses small so that there is plenty of one-on-one time with instructors. A basic knowledge of hand tools is helpful for boat building courses but is not essential. If you have specific questions about a course, please call Chris McClain at 802-475-2022 or e-mail info@lcmm.org and we would be happy to connect you with the instructor.

Cancellation and Refunds
We consider that you are registered for a course or workshop when we receive your registration deposit. You may enroll by calling us at (802) 475-2022 during regular office hours. A deposit of 50% of the tuition is required upon registration and the balance is due 30 days prior to the start date of the course. If you would like us to automatically bill your MasterCard or Visa for the balance, we can make that arrangement with you. Any additional fee, such as a materials fee, is due before the start of the course.