Why a Toolbox?
We intentionally chose the classic wooden toolbox to symbolize our goal of builders learning skills from a mentor. On our project days, the kids looked forward to collecting a 12” x 8” x 5 ½” toolbox, and it became the signature feature of our building time together. The toolboxes were stocked with the necessary tools for completing that day’s project.
Each project was introduced with a lesson, followed by a discussion of the project itself that included showing the kids and adults what they were going to build that day. Once the group instruction was over, each young person picked up their toolbox and materials and got to work with an adult guiding them. Project days were so much fun, for both the adults and the kids. There is a certain magic that takes place when a young person has an adult guiding them with projects. Our first project day was such a success that we decided to make it a recurring event and dubbed it Mission Toolbox.
Where we are today?
Positive response to our Mission Toolbox projects spurred us to start this company to provide our kits to a larger audience and share our enthusiasm for helping adults teach young people a variety of life skills through woodworking. We believe strongly in the educational value of hands-on learning, especially when it provides the opportunity for a child to receive attention and guidance from a respected adult. Assembling a kit together helps develop skills that are less common among children and youth (nailing two boards together or using wood glue, for example). Building a project together also gives opportunities to discuss math concepts such as measurement, explore life lessons such as the relevance of “measure twice, cut once,” and instill the pride of accomplishment from making something with your own hands.
When Should You Start a Project? 
We highly recommend that you keep a lookout for projects that help that young person in your life build skills, learn life lessons, and grow their confidence, while having lots of fun with you in the process.
Projects should have four main goals:
1) develop a variety of skills while building the project;
2) learn about the item that is constructed and how it is used; and 3) grow from the experience to take on additional building projects.
Note: If we can add a fourth goal, time with an adult guiding a young person’s learning experience should not be underestimated.
While this first blog post explains the origins of our company to help the reader understand why we do what we do, future blogs will discuss issues we believe are of interest to parents, grandparents, mentors, and teachers of our young builders. Please join us on our journey to help kids build, learn, and grow.
For more information, check out our website at www.missiontoolbox.com, and while you are there sign up to receive our weekly blog posts, news, and product announcements. You can also contact us at [email protected].