Participants in and supporters of the Tiny House project at Tunkhannock Area High School include (front, from left) students Roger Walters, Alex McCarthy, Alec Yadloski, Terry Anderson, Ella Laroni, Harry Thrash, Alex Pierce, Owen Wood, Michael Prebola, John Vogle, (back) faculty members and community members Sasha Werle, Pete Swart, Jeff Swire, Steve Traver, Scott Kinney, Greg Ellsworth, Scott Howell, and Ben Townsley. Swire (above) visited the school on Wednesday to thank the students for deciding to donate the buildings to Patriots Cove in Noxen.
Photos and story by Rick Hiduk
(Exclusive to EndlessMtnLifestyles.com readers)
Dozens of shop and trades students at Tunkhannock High School have embarked on a project to construct small transportable cabins, also known as “tiny houses,” that will be placed at Patriots Cove in Noxen Township to become part of the expanding facilities geared to veterans, law enforcement officers and first responders.
According to Greg Ellsworth, Tunkhannock Area School District director of career and technology education, the project was initially borne of a desire to involve students from as many elements of the CTC curriculum as possible. Secondly, faculty members wanted the project to have a tangible purpose.
The school had fostered a relationship with Patriots Cove founder Jeff Swire, a THS alumni, a year prior when the FFA Club built some raised garden boxes that were installed along Beaver Run to plant berries for Patriots Cove guests who fish the stream.
For a third season now, Swire and an army of volunteers will provide unique recreational experiences, including trout fishing, for wounded veterans, fallen firefighters and other public servants. Outside of a few public awareness events, those visiting and working at Patriots Cove escape the outside world for a few days at a time to ground themselves in the natural beauty the site affords them.
Swire was thrilled to hear from the school again and excited about the potential use of the cabins to be constructed. Ideally, they will be used for lodging of mentors, many of whom travel five hours or more to assist with special programs. The tiny houses will cut down on costs and keep the mentors on site.
In addition to providing a place for the volunteers to sleep, Swire hopes that the cozy structures can be a place where guests can “stay up late and have those long conversations that are part of the healing process that we are working on. Finding solutions among each other is what really pays the biggest dividends,” he maintains.
On Jan. 22, Swire visited THS and spoke to a number of CTC students and their teachers about the significance of the project to the veterans, as well as the importance of collaborations, in general, and working toward common goals as a group.
“Very few things in life happen due to a single individual. You need to form relationships and work with people,” Swire told the students. “Your ability to work with someone who you might not even like will make your life more successful.”
Swire stressed the value of trades educations in a nation where millions of jobs are unfilled because there are not enough skilled laborers graduating from schools. Additionally, he suggested that the students not narrow their educational focus. “Be wise. Take the time right now to learn everything that you can about everything,” said Swire. “If you want to be a welder, you still have to be able to hammer a nail and fix a tire.”
Most importantly, Swire ensured the students that their finished products will be a great benefit to the veterans and volunteers at Patriots Cove. “They will be used by people for many years to come,” he noted. “You will be changing people’s lives.”
Swire’s advice echoed the desires of THS faculty to get the students involved to approach their tiny house project from multiple angles. Among the career technology departments to participate in the build are building construction, wood tech and cabinetry, metal fabrication, engineering tech and architecture, graphic arts and communication, videography and design, ag mechanics, auto technology, family consumer science, business and school to careers.
“Many of our students take a variety of these classes and will take part in this project from different perspectives and levels throughout the school year,” Ellsworth related.
Members of the business community have stepped up as well, he noted, including Heron and Nicholson Lumber, T-Town Sheds, Deer Park Lumber, and alumnus from the THS Class of 2019. “We plan to build several buildings for Patriots Cove and will continue to need support this year and beyond,” Ellsworth explained. Interested community leaders and business owners who would like to contribute supplies and other support may contact Ellsworth directly at 570-836-3111 ext. 1200. Tours of the shops where the tiny house parts are being fabricated can also be arranged.
To keep up with programs and volunteer opportunities at Patriots Cove, interested readers may follow Patriots Cove on Facebook and www.patriotscove.org.