Free and paid hands-on learning experiences for all ages
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Middletown Area
Capacity: 20 Participants Per Session
All Ages: Youth must remain under adult supervision
A rotating series of six practical skill disciplines. Join at any point and progress through beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. No experience necessary.
Note: Starting in May and continuing through June, we offer workshops in the Middletown area. June and July schedules include new offerings like mushroom growing and expanded fishing series, with outdoor activities at various Connecticut locations including Crystal Lake.
Measuring, tool safety, lumber types, and load understanding. Build practical skills with hands-on practice.
Rod and reel basics, saltwater vs freshwater, bait techniques, and conservation ethics.
Kayak parts, safety fundamentals, water reading, and launching techniques with gear demo.
Real-world money management: budgeting, saving, investing, and credit myths vs truth.
Soil basics, sunlight mapping, plant selection, and New England seasonal timing.
Safe trip planning, weather prep, emergency basics, and situational awareness.
Each topic cycles through 4 progressive levels:
Week 1
Beginner Foundations
Week 2
Intermediate Application
Week 3
Real-world Scenarios
Week 4
Q&A & Skill Lab
APPLICATION MONTH — Deepening Knowledge
Tuesday, May 5, 2026 · 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Topics: Wall repair techniques, patching drywall, stud wall framing basics, measuring and layout for wall construction.
Activity: Hands-on practice with wall patching and stud placement for frame construction.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 · 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Topics: Soil basics, sunlight mapping, plant selection, seasonal timing specific to New England.
Activity: Seed-start tray demo or soil comparison hands-on exercise.
EXPANDED OFFERINGS — New Workshops & Multi-Part Series
Tuesday, May 26, 2026 · 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Topics: Understanding credit scores and how they work, building and maintaining good credit, credit repair strategies, disputing errors, debt management, and financial health.
Activity: Interactive credit assessment and practical strategies for improving creditworthiness.
Tuesday, June 2, 2026 · 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Topics: Where money actually goes, budget basics, credit myths vs truth, saving vs investing.
Activity: Group "Build a Budget" exercise with real-life scenarios.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026 · 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Topics: Rod and reel basics, saltwater vs freshwater differences, bait and rigging techniques, conservation ethics.
Activity: Knot tying and equipment demonstration.
Part 1 of 2 – Attend Part 2 on June 23 at Crystal Lake
Sunday, June 16, 2026 · 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Hands-on Workshop with Take-Home Growing Kit
Description: Learn the fundamentals of mushroom cultivation with hands-on experience. This workshop includes a material kit so you can grow your own mushrooms at home, featuring shiitake and oyster varieties. Perfect for those interested in food production, gardening, and sustainable practices.
Topics: Mushroom biology, growing conditions, substrate preparation, inoculation techniques, care and harvesting.
Activity: Prepare your own growing kit to take home and cultivate.
Material Fee: $25 per participant (includes growing kit and supplies). All other Life 1122 workshops are free.
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 · 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Crystal Lake, Middletown, CT
Description: Put your classroom knowledge into practice at Crystal Lake. This hands-on session builds directly on Part 1, with guided casting, live bait handling, and real-world fishing techniques.
Topics: Casting technique, reading the water, setting hooks, landing fish, handling and release.
Activity: Guided fishing practice with mentors on the lake.
Part 2 of 2 – Prerequisite: Attend Part 1 on June 9
Tuesday, June 30, 2026 · 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Topics: Understanding wills and testamentary documents, estate planning fundamentals, trusts and their benefits, protecting your legacy and family.
Activity: Using the Legacy Workbook to begin organizing your personal and financial information for estate planning.
Workbook: The Legacy Workbook is available for purchase and will be used as a textbook throughout this two-part series. Free to use in class; purchase optional for home reference.
Part 1 of 2 – Attend Part 2 on July 7 to complete the series
CONTINUING SERIES — Core Skills Rotation
Tuesday, July 7, 2026 · 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Topics: Advance directives and healthcare planning, tax implications, beneficiary designations, executor responsibilities, and legacy organization.
Activity: Continuing with the Legacy Workbook to complete your estate planning documents and personal information organization.
Workbook: The Legacy Workbook is used as a textbook throughout this course. Free to use in class; available for purchase to take home and continue your planning.
Part 2 of 2 – Prerequisite: Attend Part 1 on June 30
Tuesday, July 14, 2026 · 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Topics: Where money actually goes, budget basics, credit myths vs truth, saving vs investing.
Activity: Group "Build a Budget" exercise with real-life scenarios.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026 · 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Topics: Rod and reel basics, saltwater vs freshwater differences, bait and rigging techniques, conservation ethics.
Activity: Knot tying and equipment demonstration.
Part 1 of 2 – Attend Part 2 on July 28 at Crystal Lake
Tuesday, July 28, 2026 · 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Crystal Lake, Middletown, CT
Description: Put your classroom knowledge into practice at Crystal Lake. This hands-on session builds directly on Part 1, with guided casting, live bait handling, and real-world fishing techniques.
Topics: Casting technique, reading the water, setting hooks, landing fish, handling and release.
Activity: Guided fishing practice with mentors on the lake.
Part 2 of 2 – Prerequisite: Attend Part 1 on July 21
Our workshops continue through the year with rotating core skills and seasonal special offerings. Follow our mailing list to stay updated on new workshops and special events as we expand our offerings.
Space is limited to 20 participants per session. Register early to secure your spot.
Thank you for registering!
You will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours. Space is limited to 20 participants per session.
Most of our core skill workshops are completely free for youth and community members — we believe education and skill-building should be accessible to everyone. Some specialized workshops (like our mushroom growing workshop) include a material fee. Revenue from paid workshops and our carpentry and landscaping services division directly funds our mission and helps us offer more free programs to underserved youth.
Our workshops are designed for youth and community members of various ages. We offer programs for different age groups and experience levels. Check specific workshop details for age requirements.
No prior experience is necessary! Our workshops are designed for beginners and experienced learners alike. Our mentors will guide you through each step of the process.
Workshops are held at various locations throughout Connecticut. Details about specific locations will be provided when you register for a workshop.
You can register for workshops using the registration form on this page. Join our mailing list to be notified about future sessions, or contact us directly at life1122foundation@outlook.com.
Contact us anytime at life1122foundation@outlook.com or visit our Get Involved page. We're happy to answer your questions and help you find the right workshop.