ajo

What about stained glass? I know a lot of guys into that .

budnkota

steve - they would definately be into that. how dangerous is it, and does it involve anything that could be a temptation to boys with a history of problems, including drugs? As much as boys like them, I want to avoid anything with "huffable" chemicals in it. I don't think they'd do it on our premises, but I REALLY don't want to have somebody relapse on our watch....
Stained glass is an interesting idea - we have a place in the lower level of my building that does that. Can't beleive that didn't occur to me!!! I only walk by it 10 times a day...
I's like to look into the garden thing too. I'm not sure many of these boys are going home to warm meals, so I'd like to teach them how to make simple meals, and it's be very cool if they could use some of their own stuff in it. Maybe herbs at first, since they're faster, and then their own vegetables...

I appreciate the ideas... keep 'em coming!!!

Steve

Well, I guess the inhalant part rules out potato guns, hmm?

Main problem for the inhalers would be in the paints and any thinners needed to clean up the paints. This may rule out plastic models for you -- they're pretty incomplete without being painted. If you tihnk it's a good enough idea, I'd check out the model paints at Walmart or Kmart.

Rockets dont' really need to be painted. It's nice but not necessary. And the solid fuel engines are solid and pretty inert.

Makes me think of balsa models too - no paints required.

If ya'll have a few $$ for investment, a scrollsaw and some pine wood could start a lot of things, all the way from puzzle-making to intarsia, etc.

nykid

How old are these kids? 8? No offense, but plastic model cars probably wont be the most impressive thing in the world to them. What about leather wallet making? Stained glass could be dangerous, and if you're talking about ex-con type kids, the last thing you would want is molten glass or some other type of sharp shards of glass being all over.

budnkota

no - these kids aren't violent criminals. It's a detention facility for kids who've screwed up, but it's a lot of drugs, theft, that kind of thing. Most of them are actually pretty decent kids who've just screwed up - and a few who got messed up in some gang stuff. Lots of time due to older siblings.

Our youngest (at the moment) are 13, most of them are about 16. We admit between ages 9-21 (different units, obviously)

I've actually been a bit surprised by some of the things they are willing to do. Sometimes they even do a project without commenting on how stupid it is! That's when you know you have a real winner! lol

thx1138

When I went to summercamp at around 14 some of the things we did that I really enjoyed were small contruction projects, usually just laying a small section of sidewalk for example, leather working, and welding are cool too.

Music-dad

I have had amazing results with having children (of all ages) design and build their own musical instruments, and having them write songs, individually as well as in groups, does wonders for their confidence, moral, intellegence, and builds great social abilities.

Would be happy to share more info.