Page 9 - CMA PROfiles Summer 2016

SCHROCK CUSTOM WOODWORKING

SHAPING THE FUTURE

ive years ago, Schrock Custom Woodworking’s president and
owner Jeff Schrock read an article about a mobile woodworking
F program in San Diego, California. The program taught children
about woodworking—from a bus.
Although he was intrigued with the concept, Jeff was busy de-
signing and building cabinets for Schrock Custom Woodworking, the
business he started in 1982. The idea took root though and Jeff began
collecting hand tools such as drills, saws and clamps. “I felt like it
was time to make some business changes and focus on working with
youth, teaching them woodworking skills,” Jeff said.
In 2015, Jeff shifted the focus of his business from custom
commercial and residential cabinetry to an educational program for
children known as BenchWorx.
“I believe we learn better by doing more than just reading. I feel
it’s important to work with the next generations and help them learn
the skills that I was taught when I was young,” Jeff shared.
BenchWorx accomplishes this vision by introducing the art of
woodworking to young students and providing a unique hands-on
experience. The appeal of BenchWorx is easy to understand since
Benchworx operates out of a 28 foot custom cargo trailer, equipped
with 16 height-adjustable workstations to accommodate children of
all sizes.
The mobile workshop is open to both girls and boys from
Kindergarten through Eighth grade. Children who take part in the
program build small projects out of wood using only hand tools, such
as saws, hammers, hand drills and clamps.
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PROFILES • Volume 16 • Issue 3, 2016 • www.cabinetmakers.org 9