Milton Hershey School Students Construct Tiny House for Hersheypark Camping Resort
The newest rental accommodation at Hersheypark Camping Resort is a Milton Hershey School original. Students in the school’s Construction/Carpentry career pathway completed a tiny house that was delivered to the resort’s campground last week. The resort will plan an official ribbon cutting when the accommodation is available for rental this spring.
Students spent several years designing and building the structure, which includes a sitting area, kitchen, two lofts, and a television. They designed the house while attending school virtually and began construction when classes resumed in person.
“We had to determine everything, even small things like baseboards and knowing what size fridge was needed,” said Edwin Villanueva, MHS Senior.
The project also presented students with lessons on overcoming challenges.
“At first, electrical was a challenge but we kept trying and were successful,” said Jacqulynne Kramer, MHS Junior.
The Construction/Carpentry career pathway is one of 12 career pathways in the school’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. Through this program, MHS students graduate with the confidence and ability to secure industry jobs with family-sustaining wages. They also develop lifelong skills that will enable them to maintain their own homes in the future.
Skip Weber, MHS Head of Senior Division, said the project focused on more than just carpentry skills.
“It’s also about giving our students the opportunity to interact with people outside the school, answer their questions, and deliver a product that was expected,” Weber shared.
Edwin, who plans to enter the construction industry when he graduates this June, is extremely grateful for the lessons he learned through this hands-on project.
“Having this authentic work experience like this will take me far,” Edwin said.