CCIC Woodworking Class Connects Community Through Hands-On Learning

At the Cherry Creek Innovation Campus (CCIC), learning often extends beyond the traditional classroom, creating opportunities for students and community members to learn side by side. In a recent six-night woodworking mini course, participants of all ages came together in the CCIC construction bay to design and create their own cutting boards, gaining hands-on experience while building meaningful connections.

Led by instructor Don Rauh, with support from volunteer Tom Werzyn, the course brought together about 10 participants, including students, parents, and community members. Meeting three nights a week over two weeks, the class offered a glimpse into the real-world, project-based learning that defines CCIC pathways.

Hands-On Learning with Real-World Impact

The woodworking course reflects CCIC’s focus on hands on learning. Rauh, who helped establish the infrastructure engineering program at CCIC, brings more than 40 years of experience and a passion for sharing his craft.

“I do it because I want to give back what I’ve learned,” Rauh said. “Whether it’s a success or a mistake, they’re learning something. And you can see they enjoy it, even when it’s challenging.”

Through each step of the process, participants learned how to safely use tools, understand materials, and bring a project from concept to completion.

Learning That Goes Beyond the Project

While each participant came to create a cutting board, the experience quickly became about more than the final product.

The class brought together people of different ages and experience levels, creating a space where learning felt approachable and shared. Participants asked questions, helped one another, and grew more confident with each step of the process.

For one parent, the class became an unexpected way to reconnect with her son while learning something new side by side.

“This class has been amazing,” she shared. “It’s been really special to learn together in a space like this.”

That kind of environment, where learning is both hands-on and personal, reflects what makes CCIC unique.

A Hands-On Experience That Sticks

For many participants, the most impactful part of the class was simply getting to work with their hands.

Some were trying woodworking for the first time, while others were returning to it after years away. Regardless of experience, the process offered a new appreciation for the tools, the precision, and the patience required.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been in a shop class, and this has been really fun,” one participant said. “You gain an appreciation for the tools and the skill it takes.”

Others found meaning in how the experience extended beyond the classroom. The projects they created were not just practice pieces, but something they could take home and use.

One participant shared that he plans to gather with family and use the cutting boards they made together, turning the experience into something lasting.

Seeing the Impact, Start to Finish

As the class wrapped up, participants reached a moment that stood out to Rauh. After hours of work, they were able to see and feel the transformation of their projects. 

“The best part is when they finish and realize what they created,” Rauh said. “They take something rough and turn it into something they’re proud of.”

That moment of pride is at the center of the CCIC experience. It is not just about learning a skill, but about building confidence through doing.

Through opportunities like the woodworking mini course, Cherry Creek Schools continues to create meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that connect students, families, and the broader community. These experiences help learners see what they are capable of and carry that confidence forward into future pathways.

To learn more about future CCIC evening classes or to express interest in participating, please complete the CCIC Evening Class Interest Form.