Capital Region BOCES Building Trades students are gaining great insight into the world of advanced construction thanks to a new project constructing hunting blinds.

Students in Matt Hitchcock’s program on the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Schoharie Campus have spent several weeks constructing the wooden blinds using Amish rough-cut wood. About seven are complete and another eight are being built.

The 6-foot by 6-foot octagonal blinds include windows, doors and shingled roofs.

“The project challenges the students and their abilities at framing. Since the blinds are octagonal, the framing skills necessary to complete the construction were advanced as were the framing skills necessary for the roof,” said Hitchcock.

Senior Emrik Krufchinski said he is enjoying the project.

“I really like this program and all the different skills we learn by doing projects like this,” he said.

Classmate Logan McCabe agreed.

“It’s a good project because it’s teaching you a lot about the hip rafters and the framing is pretty advanced,” the Guilderland teen stated.

The blinds are being sold for the cost of the materials, which Hitchcock said varies from $600 to $1,000 depending on the blind. Anyone interested in purchasing one can contact the teacher at matthew.hitchcock@neric.org.

Students in the two-year program learn through standardized craft training programs developed by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) and gain valuable experience through on- and off-campus projects. They learn about safety, green construction and reading blueprints along with receiving extensive training in home energy efficiency.

For more information on the program, visit https://www.capitalregionboces.org/career-technical-education/courses-programs/building-trades/.

Emrik Krufchinski

Logan McCabe