Woodworking Lee Valley Workshop - 2026 - Victoria, BC

The application period for Soldier On members wishing to participate in the Pen Turning Workshop on May 12th, 2026 from 1300 - 1600 or Bowl Turning Workshop on May 19th, 2026 from 1000 - 1500 is now open. The application deadline is 4 May 2026 @ 1200 PST.

AIM AND SCOPE OF EVENT:  
Soldier On is excited to partner with Lee Valley in Victoria to offer two beginner-friendly woodworking workshops with no prior experience required. In the pen-turning workshop, experienced instructor Scott Reid will guide participants through the process of creating their own custom pen on a lathe, providing all demonstrations, equipment, and tools, with Lee Valley supplying beginner kits featuring Berea Hardwoods components such as a mandrel, bushings, CA glue, and a 7mm brad-point drill bit, and participants will take home their finished pen along with new woodworking skills. In the bowl-turning workshop, also led by Scott Reid, participants will learn how to transform a simple block of wood into a finished bowl by shaping the exterior, hollowing the interior, and applying a smooth finish with oil or wax, leaving with a handcrafted bowl and a foundational understanding of bowl turning.

The number of Soldier On participants is limited to 10 (5 participants per workshop).

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: 
Any serving member or veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) from the greater-Victoria area, or within a 90-minute drive of Victoria proper, who acquired a permanent physical or mental health illness or injury while enrolled as a member of the CAF; whether attributable or not to service.

Selected Serving members will require the approval of their Chain of Command to participate. 

DRAFT SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

12 May 2026 - Pen Turning Workshop
1245 arrive at Lee Valley 
1300 Event begins 
1600 Event concludes
1615 Participants depart 

19 May 2026- Bowl Turning Workshop
0945 Arrive at Lee Valley 
1000 Event begins 
1500 Event concludes
1515 Participants depart 

TRANSPORTATION & MEALS:
Participants are advised that meals and transportation will not be provided by Soldier On for this event. Participants will be required to arrange their own travel to and from the event location, travel and meals are not eligible for reimbursement for this event.

Mental & Physical Requirements:
Applicants must be able to tolerate 3 hours of light paced activities. 

Applicant must not be in violation of any MELs.

Applicants must have adequate finger dexterity, strength in the shoulders, back, forearms, and fingers to manipulate tools.

Applicant must be comfortable working in small teams.

Applicants will be joined with other ill/injured members and civilians, and therefore should be able to function in a social environment. 

Applicants also acknowledge that there will be no alcohol allowed during this event.