Outdoor Classroom
That feeling of building something with your own two hands is unforgettable. Tree Trust’s YouthBuild program ignites a passion for carpentry within the hearts of many participants. Young people, ages 16-21, alternate between an employment training week at Tree Trust and attending high school. This year’s participants are excited to use their woodworking skills to give back to the community. They are building benches for an outdoor classroom for partner school Paladin Career & Technical High School. Soon, our team will install ten student-crafted benches in a shaded area on the school grounds.
Construction Time
Abuzz with activity, Tree Trust’s workshop serves as the center of creation, where participants cut, stain, and assemble boards into benches. The smell of fresh cut wood lingers in the air. Trainers teach young people how to complete projects from start to finish — from ideation to material selection, construction, and installation. A trainer adds, “Students learn that treated wood is necessary for ground contact. We also selected cedar to construct the benches for its beauty and ease of installation, as it is a lighter weight wood.” The excitement is palpable. Construction is the fun, hands-on part of any project. Youth work with purpose, knowing that they’re building more than just structures — they’re building connections within their community.
Transforming Landscapes
This project creates a legacy for Tree Trust YouthBuild participants and highlights Paladin’s commitment to experiential learning. A school representative commented on the importance of this outdoor classroom. “This innovative space will not only diversify our educational settings but also offer our students a unique opportunity to engage with their studies in the natural world. It aligns perfectly with our commitment to experiential learning, our passion for the outdoors, and our space that promotes our students’ social and emotional health. The outdoor classroom will serve as a unique space that will encourage hands-on learning, environmental education, and promote physical and mental well-being among students and staff alike.”
Transforming Lives
Tree Trust YouthBuild equips young people to explore a career in the skilled trades. This sector holds plentiful opportunities for meaningful, family-supporting work, with rising demand for qualified workers. In addition to technical skill building, young people develop an appreciation for community stewardship. Paladin teachers observed, “Many [students] have highlighted the valuable skills they’ve gained and are interested in pursuing career paths in a related field. This experience has also positively impacted their self-esteem and sparked some of our students’ interest in environmental conservation and community service.”
For participant Shylo, “Tree Trust was a great experience that I’d recommend, because it opens new relationships and makes you want to help others.” A Paladin teacher concluded, “Collaborating with a like-minded organization that focuses on empowering youth and fostering community engagement has enriched our school’s offerings and reinforced our commitment to trades, innovative, and real-world experiences. The Tree Trust team has been supportive, flexible, and genuinely invested in our students’ learning and personal growth. This partnership has enabled us to provide meaningful, real-world learning opportunities for our students that align with our goals of promoting unity, addressing individual needs, and empowering students.” To learn more about Tree Trust YouthBuild, visit our website.
