NATURE
MAKE YOUR OWN WALKING STICK
- Brad Koller is a retired teacher with the New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission. In his 33 year career, he worked outdoors teaching such classes as canoeing, kayaking, hiking, skiing, woodcraft, ropes course/team building, and zip wire. His hobbies include geocaching (over 3,500 finds!), paddling, hiking, volunteering, and woodworking. He enjoys teaching adventure education at YMCA Camp Bernie, and volunteering with the National Park Service at the Delaware Water Gap. In 2016, he was honored with the Volunteer of the Year Award from Delaware Gap & Master Volunteer Ranger for extended hours of volunteer service.
Brad has been crafting walking sticks since 1972. As a retired teacher, he now combines both his loves in instructing others on how to craft their own unique walking sticks. His company, MYO LLC (MYO standing for Make Your Own), is committed to providing a fun, safe, and creative workshop for people 12-75+.
Brad Koller
Calendar
Make Your Own Walking Stick Workshop
May 06, 2018
Imagine you are on the trail with a handcrafted walking stick in your hand. A fellow hiker admires it and you are able to say, “Oh, I made it myself!” The three-hour Make Your Own Walking Stick workshop with Brad Koller is a fun, safe, and creative class in which hikers, geocachers, and other explorers craft a walking stick to their unique taste.
Open to young adults and up, participants begin by selecting one of the Maple, Beech, Hornbeam and Red Cedar rough sticks available. Each species of tree offers unique and beautiful features. Tools and safety equipment are given out. It is strongly recommended that each participant wear casual work clothing, and provide their own work apron.
After initial instructions are given, the instructor will monitor each person’s progress as they begin crafting. Participants are encouraged to ask questions and seek feedback throughout the workshop. For those who wish to work on their sticks further after the conclusion of the workshop, suggestions will be offered on further improvements to walking sticks. A rubber tip will be provided along with a leather strap for your hand, and a selection of finishing stains or finishing oil will be available.
Make Your Own Wand Workshop
August 19, 2018
This fun, fantasy-oriented workshop teaches basic woodworking craft inspired by modern fantasy literature. Are the completed wands magical? Of course not! The real magic comes from deep inside yourself. Some call it imagination. Our workshop lasts for two hours and includes a choice of rough stick (red cedar), all woodworking tools, all safety gear needed, and a finishing stain or oil. It is strongly recommended that each participant wear casual work clothing, and bring a work apron.
If you want a beautiful, unique wand to practice your inner magic, then join us. Just remember, “the wand chooses the wizard.”
Make Your Own Walking Stick Workshop
September 16, 2018
Imagine you are on the trail with a handcrafted walking stick in your hand. A fellow hiker admires it and you are able to say, “Oh, I made it myself!” The three-hour Make Your Own Walking Stick workshop with Brad Koller is a fun, safe, and creative class in which hikers, geocachers, and other explorers craft a walking stick to their unique taste.
Open to young adults and up, participants begin by selecting one of the Maple, Beech, Hornbeam and Red Cedar rough sticks available. Each species of tree offers unique and beautiful features. Tools and safety equipment are given out. It is strongly recommended that each participant wear casual work clothing, and provide their own work apron.
After initial instructions are given, the instructor will monitor each person’s progress as they begin crafting. Participants are encouraged to ask questions and seek feedback throughout the workshop. For those who wish to work on their sticks further after the conclusion of the workshop, suggestions will be offered on further improvements to walking sticks. A rubber tip will be provided along with a leather strap for your hand, and a selection of finishing stains or finishing oil will be available.
Give a Walking Stick, Make a Walking Stick Workshop
December 09, 2018
Imagine you are on the trail with a handcrafted walking stick in your hand. A fellow hiker admires it and you are able to say, “Oh, I made it myself!” The three-hour Make Your Own Walking Stick workshop with Brad Koller is a fun, safe, and creative class in which hikers, geocachers, and other explorers craft a walking stick to their unique taste.
Open to young adults and up, participants begin by selecting one of the Maple, Beech, Hornbeam and Red Cedar rough sticks available. Each species of tree offers unique and beautiful features. Tools and safety equipment are given out. It is strongly recommended that each participant wear casual work clothing, and provide their own work apron.
After initial instructions are given, the instructor will monitor each person’s progress as they begin crafting. Participants are encouraged to ask questions and seek feedback throughout the workshop. For those who wish to work on their sticks further after the conclusion of the workshop, suggestions will be offered on further improvements to walking sticks. A rubber tip will be provided along with a leather strap for your hand, and a selection of finishing stains or finishing oil will be available.