Pocono News Section

Cabin for Giveaway Built by Students

Cabin for Giveaway Built by Students - Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at 4:59PM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008 @ 04:59pm EST
Bloomsburg, Columbia County-

A hands-on student project will be given away to one lucky winner at the end of this year’s Bloomsburg Fair.

The stunning 12x16 foot wood cabin was a combined effort.

Brian O'Keefe, owner of the Mooretown Mill in Sweet Valley, worked alongside students from the Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center for more than three months to bring it to life.

Carpenty Instructor Scott Sorchik also had a large hand in creating the project.

Sorchik explained, "Anything that can be built out of wood, we do. And we try to reflect that and give the kids the opportunity to do anything with construction. The more they know, it just makes them more employable later on as they graduate."

The kids stopped by the Bloomsburg Fair to see their finished work on display for thousands of fairgoers.

Andy Dunn, of Mountaintop, said, "It's kind of weird seeing it at a place like this because it's been in our shop for a long time. So it's kind of cool to see what we made."

Sorchik recalled, "It was such a team effort. Everybody had a job to do and if somebody slacked, it would hold it up. But everybody kept on each other, and it worked out great."

Many of these students will work in the carpentry and construction trades after they graduate. They say building this cabin was the perfect learning experience.

Paul Kyzer, of Mountaintop, noted, "It takes a lot of time to build. Every piece has to be measured just right to fit.”

Sorchik added, "You know, they can honestly say they built their first house. And for a 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th grader, that's quite an accomplishment. It really is."

There’s no cost to enter to win the log cabin. Just stop by and fill out an entry form, or register online at pahomepage. com.