The Cheek End Intensive is a relatively new workshop for The Stone Trust, wanting to fill a need for longer and more advanced cheek end education than a two-day Cheek Rebuild Workshop. It is almost like a Level 2 version of the Contractor’s Intensive as compared to a 2-Day Intro Workshop. The Cheek End Intensive is four days of learning about how to build a cheek end, or the end of a wall, and to prepare you as much as possible for the Level 2 Test. Although the Level 2 Certification Test is not included in the Cheek End Intensive like the Level 1 Test is in the Contractor’s Intensive, it is the closest you can get to a multi-day prep course.
Some wallers come into this workshop with different levels of experience and may leave with different levels of readiness for a Level 2 Test. The Level 2 Certification Test requires much more practice and training than a Level 1 Test because it is recognized as the professional standard. The scoring and assessment of a cheek end after the timed test for Level 2 certification is set at a much higher standard than the assessment for Level 1. We recommend that wallers take multiple timed practice tests before test day to make sure they are fully prepared. A Cheek End Intensive where you are given feedback across the four days is an excellent way to prepare for a Level 2 Test.
Most of the wallers who came to the Stone Trust PA in March left feeling like they understood the principles and what was expected of them to build a good cheek end. At least one waller left feeling like they need more practice before taking a Level 2 Test. This course gives you a better understanding of your readiness level if you are planning on taking the road to certification. Three out of the four wallers have signed up for a Level 2 Test in October, giving them plenty of time to practice in the meantime.
All four wallers got their Level 1 Certification in 2024, and are clearly taking the certification path seriously by taking the Cheek End Intensive in order to get their Level 2 Certification. Thank you all for traveling from places like Virginia, New York, and Wisconsin to learn the tradition and art of dry stone walling and to better yourselves by upping your skill set. We wish you the best of luck at your Level 2 tests!
Thank you to Kim Coggin and Jerry Coggin for finishing out a strong winter of workshops in the Stone Trust PA barn. It is because of you that wallers can learn during the off-season and prepare themselves for a spring and summer of walling.
