Handwork & Crafts

Handwork & Crafts

There is a rich tradition of handwork and crafts at camp: knitting, crochet, needlepoint, beading, whittling, string figures, etc., as well as drawing, painting, origami, papier mâché, screen printing, and more.

Keeping the hands busy while the mind is engaged is a time-honored method of staying focused, so handwork is especially popular among adults during our two morning lectures each day as well as during free time sitting together with friends. Crafts, on the other hand, are regularly offered in childcare during lectures, as evening activities for all, and on rainy afternoons when the waterfront is closed.

NEW photos on this page in recent months:
Title or Theme Year Posted
"Friendship Bracelets" (2 pics) 2024 8/21

v2020 2022 2023 2024
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2016 2017 2018 2019
2008 2009
1998
1983
1972 1973
1949

Make your own
FNCA Polar Bear plushie!

2024

"Friendship Bracelets"

2023

"Tie Dye on the Line"

"Paper Strawberry Gift Boxes"

For an Evening Program, Lee Dyer taught us how to make these delightful paper strawberry gift boxes.

2022

"Tie Dying in the Afternoon"

"Stitch Meditation"

An Evening Activity lead by our Art Director, Carol LeBaron (far right).

v2020

"Leaf Stitch Meditation with Carol LeBaron"

The whole class

Carol LeBaron's

Heidi Woofenden's

Amy Cooke's

Alia Woofenden's

Maggie's first stitch work ever!

"Scolage with Amy Cooke"

"Jason Woof's Origami Class"

the crane:

the balloon:

both:

Lynn Zimmerman's

2019

"Betty is Happy With Her Balsam Pillow"

Betty Lowe displays her work from the Balsam Pillow Making evening activity.

"Tatting!"

2018

"Yes, Men Sew"

2017

"The Housing Chart"

2016

"Foilasaurus"

"Crafts Class"

"Two Independent Crafters"

"Witch's Broom"

"Swedenborg Oversees Colgateville"

"Piggies!"

"String Masks"

This string figure is really called Osage Two Diamonds but it also moonlights as an excellent mask!

"Stringfingers!"

2014

"Crochet Project"

"Felted Turtle"

"Felted Roses"

"Colgateville Woodshed"

"Felted Bluebird"

"This Qualifies as Actual Handwork!"

"Lecture Project"

2013

"Crochet with Mug"

"The Sparks Classes 'Promise Net' Event"

"Religion Rocks!"

"Jason's Origami Class"

2012

"Lois at the Sewing Machine"

"Ruby's Colosseum of Cards"

Ruby Blackman has been creating card houses at camp for a couple of years now. This is, perhaps, her most ambitious creation. It uses more than 4 decks of cards and took most of an hour (lecture) to build.

"A House Built on a Rock..."

"The Sparks Religion Class Shadow Play"

The Sparks' religion classes put on a great shadow puppet show for the entire camp's enjoyment. It was a re-enactment of the pathways to the spiritual world. Each of the children decorated and manipulated their own character. Top: a scene from the play. Middle: Curtain call with each child with their character. Bottom: Wendy Little wearing her daughter Chloe's "flames of hell" as a hat.

"Animal Crowns"

2011

"The 7-Headed Dragon of Revelation Pinata"

Emily Woofenden (top left) and her religion class (Brendan Crowe, top right) created this awesome 7-headed dragon piñata as part of their study of the Book of Revelation. Then, one afternoon, everyone gathered in the Dining Hall for a "Slaying the Dragon!" party! All the Sparks took turns with the whiffle bat while being loudly cheered on by the entire room. An amazing creation and an amazing event!

"Sparks Shirts"

Under the direction of Kristina Madjerac, the Sparks got to make their very own shirts during childcare.

"Teen Art"

"C3's Coathanger Creations"

C3 (Colgate Searle III) made a big splash with his wonderful coat hanger creations. He donated the frog and glasses at the top to the FNCA Sales Table Auction.

"Jason's Origami Class"

Jason Woofenden (in blue shirt) taught a full table of eager paper folders a variety of creations one evening.

"Lecture Art"

This delightful visual was created to illustrate various points in one of Rev. Susannah Currie's inspiring lectures.

"Come and See"

A felt banner, which now hangs in the Dining Hall, depicts many of the things John was bidden to "come and see" that appeared when each of the 7 seals were opened in the Book of Revelation, chapter 6.

2010

"Karla Quilting"

"Monster Fingers!"

"Crafting in the Goddard Annex"

These Sparks are thoroughly engrossed in their art in the childcare program during lectures.

2009

"Busy During Lecture"

George & Lois Dole are often found sitting together doing handwork during lectures.

Kristina Madjerac demonstrating a decade-plus of crochet skill.

"Heidi's Hand-Made Name Tag"

"Art on the Front Porch"

"Lalla Knitting in the Dole Wing"

2008

Emily Woofenden shows Kristina Madjerac some knitting tips.

"Clay Sculpting"

"Slouch Couch"

Emily Woofenden and Beki Greenwood getting down with their yarn.

When Nancy Little crocheted these owls inn 2008, several other "knit-wits" were anxious to learn how to make them, too.

"A Man's Job"

"Cousins"

Heidi Woofenden, Emily Woofenden, and Myrrh Brooks, cousins all, obviously concentrating on their handwork in front of the fireplace in the Main Building.

"Kristina Knitting with Round Needles"

1998

"FNCA Polar Bears"

© Nancy F. Little 1998
Louise Dole "Mom Woof" Woofenden created these FNCA Polar Bears in honor of the FNCA Polar Bear Club. They sold out quickly on the Sales Table, however we recently found the original pattern below. Shown above down at Polar Bear Swim one morning in 1998 are two unique FNCA Polar Bears which Mom Woof made in a slightly bigger size than the rest. They are carefully marked on their tags: "FNCA PAPA POLAR BEAR" and "FNCA MAMA POLAR BEAR".

Mom Woof's original pattern is very, very close to original size. Cut two pieces out of white fluffy material (with extra around the edges for the seam). Stitch the eyes, nose, and mouth on one with black thread. Outline the pattern below on the back of one piece, and following the line, sew the two pieces together back to back nearly all the way around leaving a gap at the tag. Stuff well. Insert the hand-lettered tag into the opening and carefully sew up the rest of the way. Voilà: FNCA Polar Bear plush toy!

1983

"Little Lambs Making Little Lambs"

There are often crafts during the Sparks' daily religion class in the Goddard Annex. That's Elise Simons (now Genzlinger) on the left and Kenneth Woofenden on the right.

1973

"Crafting in the Kitchen"

Cindy Leese crafting in the kitchen between meals.

1972
"Knitting on a Bench"

Louise Dole Woofenden knits on a bench at the top of the hill on the front lawn while her son Lee Woofenden looks on.

1949
"Crafting in a Canoe"

Carolyn Judson does handwork on the river. That's Priscilla (Pat) Alden behind her and George Dole at the helm.

[Photo Pages]