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What is there to do in Montana? Are meals included in the price? What does a typical day look like for an Intensive? What does the Intensive tuition price include? Other than tools and wood, what do I need to bring to an Intensive? Will I need a car during my stay?
What is there to do in Montana? The Bitterroot Valley is such a beautiful area, filled with so much to do, that you will wish you were here for much longer than just the two weeks of the class. With any extra time you have, you might enjoy hiking local trails, fishing the Bitterroot, the Blackfoot and/or the Clark Fork rivers, boating, horseback riding, mountain biking, exploring ghost towns, museums, the University of Montana, or the National Bison Range—just to name a few of the many wonderful local options. Of course, if you are interested in extending your trip by a few days, you will want to visit Flathead Lake (2 ½ hours north), Glacier National Park (3 hours north-east), or Yellowstone National Park (4 ½ hours south-east). There is plenty to see and do under the Big Sky. Are meals included in the price? INTENSIVES: Each weekday, a continental breakfast consisting of fresh bakery items, yogurt, fruit, coffee, tea and juice will be available before the start of class. A mid-morning snack will also be provided. Then at noon time, a hot and hearty main meal will be enjoyed together. The dishes offered will vary widely from day to day, but each luncheon will be nutritious, hearty and delicious. Dessert is also served with every luncheon...mmm...tasty. Please alert CSFW of any dietary restrictions you might have. Students are on their own for dinner meals, with the exception of a Thursday night BBQ at Andy’s house. Information about numerous local restaurants will be available upon arrival. Options run the gamut from the favorite hole-in-the-wall burger joint, serving enormous 12 oz. burgers with all the fixin’s; to a fresh and creative gourmet Italian place with a very diverse menu just a few minutes up the road; to a world-class steak house which serves up not only a great steak, but the finest Montana hospitality as well—and everything in between. WORKSHOPS: A hot and hearty main meal will be served at the noon hour. The menu will vary. Please alert CSFW of any dietary restrictions you might have. SEMINARS: A casual meal will be served at the noon hour for morning seminars and at supper time for evening seminars. Please alert CSFW of any dietary restrictions you might have. What does a typical day look like for an Intensive? The class will generally run from 8am to 5pm. During longer classes, instruction takes place Monday through Friday. Two week classes allow for an optional guided fly fishing excursion on Saturday, available at extra cost. During two week classes, instruction will be completed by the end of Thursday of the second week, with the last Friday available for an optional open-shop day to complete as much as possible. The shop will be open by request most evenings for any students who may need to schedule extra time to catch up. The shop will be closed on Sunday and we encourage you to use the day to enjoy the beautiful Bitterroot Valley and its surrounding environs. Information about interesting activities and day trips, as well as local churches, will be available. What does the Intensive tuition price include? The price includes the instruction, course materials, copies of templates, use of shop facilities and equipment, a light continental breakfast and mid-day snack, gourmet lunches and one mid-week barbeque dinner (BBQ available for classes of one week or longer). Unless specified otherwise, the tuition does not cover the cost of the project wood. Other than tools and wood, what do I need to bring to an Intensive? Students might wish to bring a shop apron and a camera to document their experience. A water bottle and/or a coffee mug with a lid will be helpful, to keep sawdust out of your beverages. Also, it should be noted that wireless internet is available. Students who will be in Montana long enough to enjoy some recreation time might want to bring hiking and/or fishing gear. The Bitterroot Valley’s weather is generally much more moderate than that of the rest of Montana and typically features hot and dry summers, cool and moist spring and autumn seasons, and moderately cold winters. However, Montana weather is notoriously fickle, so students should check the weather forecast on-line before coming and then pack for a little cooler and a little warmer than what is predicted. Will I need a car during my stay? Although Andy can arrange to pick students up in Missoula, it is highly recommended that students arriving by air rent a car for the duration of the class. Public transportation is not available and students are on their own for lodging and dinners, which could range from a quick five minute drive to half an hour away. If two or more individual students flying into the same airport express interest in sharing the cost of a car rental, Andy can put them in contact with one another before the class, to make arrangements together. For those unable to transport their item home in their own personal vehicle, shipping is an important part of the CSFW experience. We want you to return home safely with your new piece of furniture. Depending on the class and the time available, we will help pack and arrange for safe transport home, however, you will be responsible for the actual shipping contract and payment arrangements. |
"…I've taken a number of classes from notable craftsmen/instructors, and can say that my most rewarding experiences have been my two classes with Andy Chidwick. I’ve left his classes empowered with new skills to employ in other projects. People see the chairs I've made and are stunned... Thanks to Andy, I'm a ROCK STAR woodworker in my friends' eyes.” -Bruce |