June 29th-August 1st, 2025
with Ricardo Sierra, Craig Boynton, Grant DeNies & Emma Dubois
Timber Frame Skills Retreat for Teens
Course Description
Take your woodworking skills and passion to the next level with this Timber Frame Skills Retreat. We will learn and use traditional mortise and tenon joinery methods to build a number of creative projects that will build confidence and skills.
Students will use heirloom hand tools and locally sawn and sourced beams and see the process of cutting, joining and raising their work as a team of builders and creators.
This retreat is perfect for homeschoolers/unschoolers or any teen who dreams of building their own cabin or tiny home someday.
We will have time for relaxing and socializing as well as forest walks to learn about trees, how to cut and carve hardwood pegs and more.
No previous woodworking or building experience required.
All tools and materials are included.
Class size is limited to 9 students.
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Please Note: Timber framing is a physical process that involves moving beams, hammering chisels and carving and sawing by hand. Please be prepared to learn & work to the best of your ability for 5-6 hours each day with focused attention.
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The Timber Frame Tradition
Timber framing is a method of building that brings people together. We quickly realize that we can't cut and lift our beams by ourselves.
In our workshops and courses, people of all ages and skill levels, come together as a team to create something beautiful. The rhythm of mallets & chisels, sawing beams and stories shared offers a sense of community, even for a few days, that reminds us of a way of building that was common for hundreds of years.
Course Curriculum
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Timber Framing Tool Use and Care
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Sawing Techniques
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Splitting Peg Stock
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Square Rule Layout & Cutting
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Project Design
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Beam Moving Strategies
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Chisel Sharpening Methods
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Drilling and Assembling Skills
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Timber Frame History Overview
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Program Logistics
Tuesday Arrival Time: 3 pm ET
Friday Departure Time: 3 pm ET
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Transportation: We can arrange for Albany Airport, Train or Bus pickup and drop off for an additional charge.
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Mortise Cutting
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Tenon Cutting
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Hardwood Peg Carving
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Post Beam Cutting
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Tree Identification Hikes
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Campfires/Woodcarving
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Group Game Night
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Work Safety & Gear
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Carpentry Skills​
All meals and housing is included!
We have newly renovated, cozy timber frame cabins for you to enjoy during your stay here; a comfortable place to relax after a day of working and learning. (double occupancy)
Our hearty, home made meals are served fresh each day.
We accommodate most allergies and food sensitivities with advance notice.
All wood, tools and materials are provided during the program. ​​​
Your Instructors...
Ricardo Sierra
Founder of Hawk Circle Wilderness Summer Camps and Hawk Circle Timber Frames
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Rick's passion for timber framing began when he was a young builder, working in New England and New York. He noticed a distinct difference in the 'feel' of a timber framed farmhouse, or barn apartment from the modern style of stick building. When he began building cabin and other spaces at his wilderness camp, he knew he needed to learn to cut in the authentic tradition.

He learned through working with Craig Boynton, through the linneage of Jack Sobon, using square rule and the Historical American Joinery aesthetic found throughout the New England and New York area. He has since built cabins, barns, workshops, retreat centers, houses, small animal barns, bridges and even some chicken coops.
Craig Boynton
Craig has been a timber framer and builder for decades, working in both traditional and modern building styles and designs. He specializes in unique and difficult custom woodwork through Bancroft Custom Woodworks and he has brought timber framing to Hawk Circle in the early 2000's to help create cabins and spaces that would last.
Program Registration
Timber Frame Skills Retreat for Teens
July 29th-August 1st, 2025
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL
SAVE $100 if you register before March 15th
Tuition: $1,400 with Lodging
Includes payment plan, onsite lodging and meals.
$500 non-refundable deposit due at registration.
Tuition: $995 No Lodging/Commuter
Includes payment plan and meals only. No lodging.
$500 non-refundable deposit due at registration.
