Construction Basics Initiative


​The purpose of this program is to provide under-served and at-risk students with the necessary life skill set and confidence in their ability to become a valued and productive part of society. Students will simultaneously learn the basics of building, a viable and needed trade, while experiencing the benefits of community service. Students will understand what it means to "give back" as well as acknowledge the gratification that comes from completing a project that serves their community.  In addition, this project will forward the mission of numerous non-profit organizations and support local municipalities by designing and implementing infrastructure improvements and repairs. The  project fills a critical gap in North Idaho community programming that is multi-purpose and multi-impact; helping both under-served youth and the greater Bonner County community.

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Program Purpose

The purpose of Construction Basics Initiative is to provide under-served and at-risk students with the physical and mental tools they will need to transcend the challenges they will face in life using a unique hands-on model. Students will learn what we like to call, G.R.I.T.
  • Gratitude
  • Respect
  • Independence
  • Tenacity

Real World Outcomes

 Students will not only acquire technical skills in the field of construction, but will also develop effective communication skills and coping mechanisms that will set the stage for their future success. Specifically:
  • Develop technical and life skill sets by designing and constructing projects.
  • Become confident in their ability to create and be a contributing member of society
  • Communicate with other students and understand the benefits of working together as a team

Project - 12x20 Bunkhouse with 6' covered deck

In the spring of 2014 the Construction Basics Initiative was launched with a project at the Eureka Center.  The bunkhouse project not only provided 15 at-risk youth a unique growth experience, but also provided the Eureka Institute with incredibly valuable housing for winter workshops.  This project would not have been possible without the generous contributions from the following businesses:
  • Sandpoint Building Supply
  • Idaho Forest Group
  • ProBuild
  • Badger Building Supply
  • Sandpoint Super Drug
  • Berry Foundation
The project was initiated with students from the Northwoods School (Sagle,Idaho). These students laid the groundwork,from foundation through roof framing. The project was brought to near-completion by another group of students from Bounder Creek Academy (Naples, Idaho) that finished the interior paneling, front deck and entry.

Project - 10x50 Pole Structure

This project was completed by students from Boulder Creek Academy. Students harvested trees on sight for project use and erected  the entire structure in 4.5 days!. The students were amazed at how quickly a structure can be built with the right combination of know-how, tools and a positive attitude.

BOLDER CREEK ACADEMY PARTICIPANT
"This is crazy, it was only on Monday that we were cutting a few trees down and now there's this incredible structure!"
This has turned out to be a tremendous asset and has become an invaluable structure for the Eureka Institutes most successful fundraiser, the Sandpoint SummerFest.  Thank you Boulder Creek Academy for all your hard work and effort to make the Eureka Center what it is today!