The Saint Paul’s Woodworking Club, led by moderator Mr. Gene Lipps, will continue operating in October. 

The club teaches students the basics of woodworking, such as tables, boxes, shelves, artwork, Jenga, and minor classroom work. The club meets after school twice a week behind the “Wolves on Wheels” shop on campus.

All the wood material they use comes from recycling around the school. By using recycled wood, they are promoting resource reuse and showing how we don’t have to throw away materials that would otherwise end up in a landfill. This eco-friendly approach is admirable and demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and caring for the planet. Mr. Lipps also recycles outside of the club. He recycles all aluminum cans and composts peels from bananas and oranges.

This year, the club has generated between 25 and 30 signups. However, for safety reasons, the shop can only accommodate five people at a time.

Accordingly, Mr. Lipps plans to rotate people on different days to try to give everyone a chance to be in the shop. This has been a challenge, but the club has worked hard to find ways to provide its members with the opportunity to enjoy the shop experience without putting them in danger.

Despite the current challenges, the club has remained optimistic and has used this opportunity to explore new ways to keep its members engaged and connected.

Despite the limitations imposed by demand and safety, the club has made every effort to adapt and ensure that all members have the opportunity to enjoy the shop experience. The club continues to provide an exciting and engaging space for its members.

The Woodworking Club has been running for two years now. Some of their projects have included creating shelves for Mr. Scoriels, toolboxes, and tools for the shop itself.

Mr. Lipps has been woodworking for 30 years. He has crafted various projects around campus, including bookshelves for Mrs. Travers and Mrs. Kim Gardner, a pedestal for the upstairs of the Main School Building, and the trophy case in La Salle Hall.

Mr. Lipps finds a lot of value in joining the club. “I am doing this to help teach students life-long skills that they can teach to their kids.”

Students looking for lifelong skills can join Mr. Lipps’s woodworking club starting in October.