Check out the other levels of courses:
| # | Course | Days | Prerequisite | Description |
| 2.10 | Historic Wall Rebuild | 3 | None | Students will rebuild a long-neglected farm wall. You will learn site preparation, pre-build staging, setup and use of batter frames, and wall construction. The product of the workshop will be a free-standing wall. |
| 2.13 | Contractors Intro Workshop | 1 | None | This one day course is tailored to the hardscape professional. The student will learn the key walling concepts and will build a free standing wall. Similar to 1.11 but caters to the needs of landscapers and masons. |
| 2.20 | Retaining Walls | 1 | Any 1.xx or 2.10 or 2.13 | This one-day workshop teaches the fundamentals of retaining walls. The student will sort and stage stone for the build, assist in batter frame setup, and will build a retaining wall. |
| 2.40 | Cheek Rebuild | 2 | Any 1.xx or 2.10 or 2.13 | Each student in this two-day workshop will rebuild the a wall cheek (free standing vertical wall end). You will learn to grade and sort stone in preparation for a build. You will set up batter frames and string lines. This course is intended as a first hands-on exposure to building a square end to a wall. This fundamental skill will be leveraged in many features you might build in the future. |
| 2.50 | Introduction to Stone Shaping | 1 | Any 1.xx or 2.10 or 2.13 | Try your hand and shaping stones with hammers, chisels, and power tools too! Learn techniques and methods for efficiently getting stones to break where you want them too. |
| 2.60 | Contractors Intensive | 5 | None | This course is intended to provide hardscape professionals with working fundamental skills for dry stone walling. The student will learn proper use of batter frames and stringlines, site and material preparation, and wall construction. They will rebuild a free standing wall, and will then rebuild a cheek. This course includes a Level 1 certification test on the last day. |
| 2.70 | Walling Day | 1 | Any 1.xx or 2.10 or 2.13 | Low cost opportunity for those with workshop experience to gain walling experience with certified professions on site. |
| 2.80 | Level 1 Test Preparation | 1 | Any 2.xx or 1.xx | The student will rebuild a Level 1 test stint against the clock. An instructor will answer questions and provide feedback at multiple points during the day. The purpose of this course is to help the student develop strategies for building within the test time limit while constructing a passing wall. |
| 2.90 | Level 1 Certification Test | 1 | Any 2.xx, 2.80 recommended | The successful tester will have walled for at least five days and will be able to recite the five rules. |
Foundations
The art of foundations, through-stones and copes are combined with experiential learning to craft retaining walls, free standing wall ends, and to rebuild historic farm walls in this series of courses.
Historic Rebuild workshop students will participate in the site preparation necessary to rebuild old dilapidated walls. The Retaining and Cheek Rebuild workshops develop skills needed for the majority of walling projects. In each of these you will learn batter frame techniques that lead to a stronger and more beautiful wall.
A new offering for 2019 is the Contractors Intensive. This five day offering in the Winter is conducted inside. The intent is to transform practicing landscapers into certified wallers. The Contractors Intro workshop is also a great way for the hardscape professional to start down the dry stone path.
Level 1 Certification is a great way to benchmark your progress. Testing makes you a better waller!
All workshops are taught by instructors that are certified by the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain (DSWA-GB)
One summer day, while I was walking along the country road on the farm where I was born, a section of the stone wall opposite me, and not more than three or four yards distant, suddenly fell down. Amid the general stillness and immobility about me the effect was quite startling. … It was the sudden summing up of half a century or more of atomic changes in the material of the wall. A grain or two of sand yielded to the pressure of long years, and gravity did the rest.
~John Burroughs
More About Dry Stone Fundamentals Courses
2.10 Historic Wall Rebuild Workshop
This workshop covers much of the same material as 1.10. However the two day format allows for more hands on time for every student. In addition to basic principles, basic stone shaping will be introduced. Typical cost is $475.
2.13 Contractor’s Introduction to Dry Stone Walling
This 1-day workshop is perfect for the homeowner or enthusiast looking to start learning about how to build dry stone walls. It’s also a great introduction for landscapers who are looking to get into dry stone walling. Typical cost is $275.
2.20 Retaining Wall Workshop
When building dry stone retaining walls the focus always needs to be on structure. This course adds to the basic principles in the prerequisite courses. Participants will learn how to maximize strength for a retaining wall while following the basic rules. Foundations, drainage, perforated pipe, filter fabric, geo-textiles and more are all discussed or demonstrated. Typical cost: $295.
2.40 Cheek End Workshop
Cheek ends are particularly tricky to build well, and this workshop will give participants first hand experience. Working as a partner with another participant, each pair will dismantle and rebuild a cheek end on a freestanding wall about 54″ tall. Typical cost is $495.
2.50 Introduction to Stone Shaping Workshop
This workshop will spend the day learning about how to shape stones for use in dry stone walls. Participants will be introduced to a variety of stone types, and how to work with them. Both hand and power tools will be demonstrated and used. Typical cost: $325.
2.60 Contractor’s Intensive Workshop
This workshop includes 4 days of training and the DSWA-GB Level I (Initial) certification test on the final day.
The workshop will focus on the fundamental knowledge needed by professionals to build dry stone walls successfully and efficiently. Typical cost: $1250.
2.70 Walling Day Workshop
This 1-day workshop is perfect for the homeowner or enthusiast looking to start learning about how to build dry stone walls. It’s also a great introduction for landscapers who are looking to get into dry stone walling. Typical cost is $275.
2.80 Level 1 Test Preparation Workshop
Prepare for your certification test! This workshop is perfect those planning to test. Learn tips and techniques to help you pass your test. There is nothing better to prepare! This workshop differs from typical workshops… Typical cost is $210.
2.90 Level 1 Certification Test
This 1-day workshop is perfect for the homeowner or enthusiast looking to start learning about how to build dry stone walls. It’s also a great introduction for landscapers who are looking to get into dry stone walling. Typical cost is $275.
Upcoming Dry Stone Fundamentals Course
(By date, soonest first)
Upcoming Events
- 2.13 Contractors Workshop
March 29, 2019
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
This workshop is perfect for the landscape contractor interested in starting to build dry stone walls, or expand that line of work. In addition to the hands on building of a wall, there will be discussions of good work practices, pricing walls, proper foundations, etc.
- 2.80/3.80 Test Preparation Workshop (4/27/19)
April 27, 2019
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
This workshop is intended for those planning to take a Level 1 or Level 2 certification test. Learning tips and tricks to help you pass, while you practice build for your test.
- Spring Certification Test: Friday, 5/3/2019
May 3, 2019
8:15 am - 6:30 pm
- 1 Day attendance
Testing Levels Initial, Intermediate and Advanced (Part B). Friday, May 3, 2019. NOTE: You must hold the previous level certification to sign up for any test above level 1. THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, March 20th! NO LATE REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
- 2.40 Cheek End Workshop (Outdoor) - May. 4 & 5, 2019 (Dummerston, VT)
May 4, 2019 - May 5, 2019
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Whenever your building a wall, sooner or later it must come to an end. A cheek end is the typical way to end a wall. It is also called a wall end, wall head, or square end. Cheek ends are a particular challenge to build well and structurally are the most vulnerable part of a wall, so it is important to get it right.
- 2.50 Intro to Stone Shaping 6/2/19
June 2, 2019
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- 1-Day workshop
This workshop will spend the day learning about how to shape stones for use in dry stone walls. Participants will be introduced to a variety of stone types, and how to work with them. Both hand and power tools will be demonstrated and used. The stone shaping portion will focus on efficient practices, learning how to look at a stone and judge how to shape it, as well as proper use and care of tools.
- 2.20 Retaining wall workshop 6/2/19
June 2, 2019
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- 1-day workshop attendance
Participants will learn how to maximize strength for a retaining wall while following the basic rules. Foundations, drainage, perforated pipe, filter fabric, geo-textiles and more are all discussed or demonstrated. This workshop is intended to give you the information to make wise decisions on your own projects. It is well suited for both homeowners and contractors.