How can I book the bus?
Contact us via email info@sidestreet.org  or  (626) 798-7774 [M-F, 10am - 5:00pm]

Wait a minute… you let little kids use sharp tools? Are you insane?
Contrary to popular belief, children (if instructed properly) are competent little woodworkers who can design amazing projects all by themselves. We teach the safe and effective use of hand tools in a way that makes learning fun. That’s an important point to clarify: children do not use power tools on the bus, they only use ‘kid powered’ hand-tools (hand saws, eggbeater drills, sanding blocks, screw drivers, hammers, etc…). Our methods are sound and have consistently proven themselves to be highly effective. Since 1997, we’ve brought the bus to literally thousands of children all over LA County. There has never been a serious incident on the bus, and (pardon the pun), that’s no accident.

Does the Bus GO anywhere with our children inside?
We get asked that question more often than you’d think.The answer is no… besides, it’s very difficult for children to use saws while moving at 40 miles an hour. The bus is a completely self-contained, mobile classroom. We bring the classroom to the children, instead of the other way around. As art programs go, the Alternate Routes Woodworking Bus has practically 0% impact on your facility: no clean up, no storage, no re-arranging classrooms or setting up tables. All we need is a parking lot and a plug, and we’re good to go.

How long are the workshops?
Typical workshops meet once a week for 4 to 10 weeks (mornings or afternoons). Each week is comprised of at least 2 successive classes of 1 hour each, with a capacity of 10 children per hour. We can do more than 2 classes per day if you have more than 20 children at your site. There is a 15 minute prep period allotted between classes. Drop us an email, or give us a call @ 626 798 7774 to find out how we can customize our program to accommodate your needs.

Who are your teachers?
Side Street Projects is a non-profit organization founded by artists to provide services to the community. Therefore, the majority of our instructors are young artists. We provide our teachers with a flexible schedule that enables them to pursue their art-making practice. As “day jobs” go, being a teacher on the Woodworking Bus is a coveted position that is fulfilling on many levels. Our teachers are graduates have passed background checks come from the top art colleges, such as CalArts, UCLA, Otis, and RISD. They are inventive, compassionate, and consummate professionals who are adored by their students and driven by a desire to serve their community. There are 2 teachers on each bus, providing a 5:1 student/teacher ratio at all times.

What do the kids make?
Kids make a variety of projects that increase in complexity as they progress through the program. As they progress, kids accumulate a working knowledge of basic woodworking techniques, such as sanding, sawing, shaping, drilling, setting screws, hammering, and engraving. All students start by making basic projects, like a name-tag. From there, there are dozens of options to choose from (for both boys and girls). The projects range from things you’d expect, and things you wouldn’t. Kids can make cameras, and puppets, and frogs, and boom-boxes, and rocketships, and cell phones, and snakes, and motorcycles, and horses, and picture frames, and…and… well, we’ve sort of lost count. And the great thing is, after a few weeks on the bus, most kids are confident and competent enough to design their own projects. That’s the program’s ultimate goal, and it just so happens to be where the fun really starts.

What are the physical space requirements for accommodating the bus?
Prior to the start of a new workshop series, Side Street Projects’ staff will perform a site visit to evaluate your program site. Our bus is approximately 40 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 10 feet tall. The bus must be parked within 125 feet of a grounded 110-power outlet. We ask that the bus parks directly on your facilities’ secured property. Students should not have to cross the street to enter our bus. If this is physically impossible, and we have to park on the street, we ask that you provide an authorized adult to escort children to and from the bus.

How can my child take the class?
Since we need a minimum of 20 students to schedule a series of classes. We recommend you contact your local community center, parks department, or after school coordinator. Ask them to visit our website and contact us regarding booking. Parent organized sessions are also encouraged. You can also hire us for a private function, such as a birthday (see below for details). Or, if you’re really jazzed about the bus, by all means: get a coalition of your neighbors friends, pool your resources, and bring the bus to your neighborhood. Parent organized sessions are strongly encouraged. Recently, groups of parents who home school have been organizing field trips and mulit-session workshops with great success.

Really, you do birthday parties?
Yep, we do birthday parties. Actually, we do the coolest birthday parties ever. Forget about hiring creepy clowns or sickly ponies, or those nausea-inducing inflatable bouncy houses. Boys and girls alike will never forget a birthday on the bus, and parents get a nice break from the day’s excitement while our talented staff provides an activity that is both empowering and a whole lot of fun. Families that become members of Side Street Projects at the “Bus Stop” receive a discount (see our Membership section for details). For parties larger than 10 children, please call us @ 626 798 7774 for a quote.

What about kids with special needs?
Our buses have wheelchair lifts and adequate space to accommodate children who require them. We’ve had some of our most stunning successes with special needs children with unique physical, psychological, behavioral, or developmental considerations.

What’s the dress code?
Other than a little sawdust, the children don’t get that messy, so “school clothes” will work just fine. The only thing we require is NO OPEN TOED SHOES: no sandals, no flip-flops, no Mary Janes, etc. Children wearing open-toed shoes will not be allowed on the bus, no exceptions. Long pants are preferable, but not required. Children with long hair should pull it back into a braid or ponytail. Necklaces and bracelets should be removed before kids get on the bus.

How many buses do you have? Who designed them?
We have 2 buses (one on-site only), and they’re named Sheila and Dawson, after the program’s creator. The interiors are identical, and were designed and built at Side Street Projects. Renowned artist Gilbert “Magu” Luján designed Sheila’s exteriors. Artist, muralist, and activist Francisco Letelier designed Dawson.

In the Summer of 2011, we built out 2 new mobile trailer classrooms to accommodate increased program demand.  One is now completely dedicated to serving P.U.S.D. 3rd graders through the My Masterpieces program. Like the Woodworking Bus, these trailers house individual kid sized woodworking stations custom designed by Kurt Stern of the Art Center College of Design woodshop In the Fall of 2011, LA based Artist Jonathan Stofenmacher received a grant from the City of Pasadena Department of Cultural affairs to create a mural on this dedicated trailer.

Do you need Volunteers?

We have many opportunities for long term , short term, seasonal, and project based volunteers and interns. If you are interested in getting involved contact us at info@sidestreet.org.

How do you do it?

Alternate Routes has been made possible by the generous support of The Ahmanson Foundation, The City of Pasadena, Pasadena Art Alliance, Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department, Los Angeles County Arts Commission, The City of West Hollywood, The Gayle and Rowe Giesen Family Trust, and The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Foundation.

Special thanks to Freeway Towing, Crain Electric, Stock Lumber on San Fernando, Bon Hoff Lumber,  Shelia Dawson, Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Corporation, Quality Fleet & Truck Services,  Mr. Brad Olsen, and the entire Side Street Staff & Community.