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Alternate Routes :: FAQ's • |
 How
can I book the bus?
Contact us via
email, or @ 626 798 7774
[M-F, 10am - 6pm).
Wait a minute... you let little kids use sharp
tools? Are you insane?
Contrary to popular belief, children (if instructed properly)
are competent little woodworkers who can design amazing projects
all by themselves. We teach the safe and effective
use of hand tools in a way that makes learning fun. That's an important
point to clarify: children do not use powertools on the bus, they
only use 'kid powered' hand-tools (hand saws, eggbeater drills,
sanding blocks, screw drivers, hammers, etc...). Our methods are
sound and have consistently proven themselves to be highly effective.
Since 1997, we've brought the bus to literally thousands of children
all over LA County. There has never been a serious incident
on the bus, and (pardon the pun), that's no accident.
Does the Bus GO anywhere with our children inside?
We get asked that question more often than you'd think.The answer
is no... besides, it's very difficult for children
to use saws while moving at 40 miles an hour. The bus is a completely
self-contained, mobile classroom. We bring the classroom to
the children, instead of the other way around. As art programs go,
the Alternate Routes Woodworking Bus has practically 0%
impact on your facility: no clean up, no storage, no re-arranging
classrooms or setting up tables. All we need is a parking lot and
a plug, and we're good to go.
 How
long are the workshops?
Typical workshops meet once a week for 4 to 10 weeks (mornings or
afternoons). Each week is comprised of at least 2 successive classes
of 1 hour each, with a capacity of 10 children per hour. We can
do more than 2 classes per day if you have more than 20 children
at your site. There is a 15 minute prep period allotted between
classes. Drop us an email,
or give us a call @ 626 798 7774
to find out how we can customize our program to accommodate your
needs.
 Who
are your teachers?
Side Street Projects is a non-profit organization founded by artists
to provide services to the community. Therefore, the majority of
our instructors are young artists. We provide our teachers with
a flexible schedule that enables them to pursue their art-making
practice. As "day jobs" go, being a teacher on the Woodworking
Bus is a coveted position that is fulfilling on many levels. Our
teachers are graduates from the top art colleges in California,
such as CalArts, UCLA, and Otis. They are inventive, compassionate,
and consummate professionals who are adored by their students and
driven by a desire to serve their community. There are 2 teachers
on each bus, providing a 5:1 student/teacher ratio at all times.
 What
do the kids make?
Kids make a variety of projects that increase in complexity as they
progress through the program. As they progress, kids accumulate
a working knowledge of basic woodworking techniques, such as sanding,
sawing, shaping, drilling, setting screws, hammering, and engraving.
All students start by making a name-tag. From there, there are dozens
of options to choose from (for both boys and girls). The projects
range from things you'd expect, and things you wouldn't. Kids can
make cameras, and puppets, and frogs, and boom-boxes, and rocketships,
and cell phones, and snakes, and motorcycles, and horses, and picture
frames, and...and... well, we've sort of lost count. And the great
thing is, after a few weeks on the bus, most kids are confident
and competent enough to design their own projects. That's
the program's ultimate goal, and it just so happens to be where
the fun really starts.
What are the physical space needs for accommodating the
bus?
Prior to the start of a new workshop series, Side Street Projects'
staff will perform a site visit to evaluate your program site. Our
bus is approximately 37 feet long and 10 feet tall. The bus must
be parked within 125 feet of a grounded 110 power outlet. We ask
that the bus parks directly on your facilities' secured property.
Students should not have to cross the street to enter our
bus. If this is physically impossible, and we have to park on the
street, we ask that you provide an authorized adult to escort children
to and from the bus.
How can my child take the class?
Since we need a minimum of 20 students to schedule a session, we
recommend you contact your local community center, parks department,
or after school coordinator. Ask them to visit our website and contact
us regarding booking. Sometimes, we bring the bus out to free festivals.
Click
here if you'd like to be notified of any upcoming festivals,
so your child can try out the bus, and you can see the
program in action. Or, you can hire us for a private function, such
as a birthday (see below for details). Or, if you're really
jazzed about the bus, by all means: get a coalition of your neighbors
together, pool your collective resources, and bring the bus to your
neighborhood.
Really, you do birthday parties?
Yep, we do birthday parties. Actually, we do the coolest
birthday parties ever. Forget about hiring creepy clowns, or sickly
ponies, or those nausea-inducing inflatable bouncy houses. Boys
and girls alike will never forget a birthday on the bus, and parents
get a nice break from the day's excitement while our talented staff
provides an activity that is both empowering and a whole lot of
fun. Families that become members of Side Street Projects at the "Bus Stop" receive a discount (see our Membership
section for detials). For parties larger than 10 children, please
call us @ 626 798 7774
for a quote. For more information, visit our birthday
party section for complete details.
What about kids with special needs?
Our buses have wheelchair lifts and adequate space to accommodate
children who require them. We've had some of our most stunning successes
with special needs children with unique physical, psychological,
behavioral, or developmental considerations. So, to answer the question:
we encourage working with special needs kids - we're good
at it, we like it, and the results are astonishing. Please notify
us in advance of your kid's particular needs so that our teachers
can prepare to better assist them.
What's the dress code?
Other than a little sawdust, the children don't get that messy,
so "school clothes" will work just fine. The only thing
we require is NO OPEN
TOED SHOES: no sandals, no flip-flops, no Mary
Janes, etc. Children wearing open-toed shoes will
not be allowed on the bus, no exceptions. Long pants are preferable,
but not required. Children with long hair should pull it back into
a braid or ponytail. Necklaces and bracelets should be removed before
kids get on the bus.
How many buses do you have? Who designed them?
We have 2 buses, and they're named 'Sheila' and 'Dawson,' in case
you were wondering. The interiors are identical, and were designed
by Side Street Projects. Sheila's exteriors were designed by renowned
artist Gilbert "Magu" Luján... who (incidentally)
is the artist behind the famous Hollywood & Vine MTA subway
station in the heart of Tinsel Town (that's everyone's
favorite station, isn't it?). 'Dawson' was designed by Francisco
Letelier... artist, muralist, activist, and all-around dear friend
of Side Street Projects. |
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