Make-and-Take Workshops

Paddle Making

Friday-Saturday, April 19-20, 2024participants displaying their new paddles

  • $90-Outdoor U members
  • $130-Nonmembers (price includes honorary 1-year Outdoor U membership)
  • Space limited to 10 participants

Explore the different ways wooden paddles are made, then work on making a laminated, bent or straight shaft paddle. We supply the wood and you will glue the blade, shaft, and grip on the first day (6-8 p.m.). On day two, we will shape and work on sanding each paddle (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.). You’ll have to do some work at home, including final sanding and varnishing.

Paddle Registration

Bat Houses

Monday, June 17, 2024bat house
6:00-9:00 p.m.

  • $20 - Members & CSB+SJU Students
  • $40-Nonmembers

Explore the world of bats in Minnesota while crafting your own bat house to take home. Tools and materials will be provided.

Bat House Registration

Diamond Willow Walking Sticks

Wednesday, August 21, 2024diamond willow walking stick examples
1:00-4:00 p.m.

  • $20 - Members & CSB+SJU Students
  • $40-Nonmembers
  • Space limited to 10 participants

Learn the processes of identifying diamond willow, peeling the bark, and finish sanding your own walking stick. Varnishing will be on your own.

Walking Stick Registration

Willow Baskets

Saturday-Sunday, October 12-13, 2024willow basket examples
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

  • $80 - Members & CSB+SJU Students
  • $100-Nonmembers

With materials gathered from the Abbey Arboretum, enjoy a weekend learning about and weaving your own basket to take home!

Willow Basket Registration

Snowshoe Making

2024-2025 Session TBAparticipants with their snowshoe frames
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

  • $140-Outdoor U members
  • $180-Nonmembers (includes honorary 1-year Outdoor U membership)
  • Space limited to 10 participants

You will come away from this workshop with your own pair of laced Ojibwe style snowshoes. We will demonstrate bending snowshoe frames and teach lacing techniques. Varnishing and bindings will be on your own.

Snowshoe Registration

Wreath Making

2024 Sessions TBAHandmade wreath
New Science Center 150, SJU

You will come away from this workshop with your own handmade wreath using natural materials collected in the Abbey Arboretum. No experience necessary. Maximum of 20 wreaths available per session, so register early!

CSB/SJU/OSB Employees & General Community
  • $20 per wreath
CSB/SJU Students
  • FREE thanks to funding from CSB and SJU Senates

Community Registration Student Registration