April 13 2018 DSWA Certification Level 1 and 2 Pics

April 13, 2018, Rockin Walls Training Center offered the first  •  Level 1 & 2 DSWA Certification. We were so excited to have 10 folks sign up for this sold out event.  Master Examiners - Chris Tanguay DSWA/DSC, ME & Brian Post DSWA Executive Director The Stone Trust VT. 

Congratulations! 

Level 1 Strip out and rebuild 6' L x 4'.6"H freestanding wall (27 sq ff) in 7 hours

Lisa Tuzo - DSC US Certified, Maryland, (Big thank you for all here help with getting the site up and ready)

Tony Dovidio - Pennsylvania

Suzannah Pace Pennsylvania

Jeremy Bishop - Pennsylvania

Danial Peight - Pennsylvania

Steve Byler - Pennsylvania

Eamon Espey - Maryland ( Big thank you for all the help with palletizing stone for this vent) 

Level 2  - Strip out and rebuild 6' L x 4'.6"H freestanding wall (27 sq ff) including Cheekend - Wallhead in 7 hours.

Ben Peachey - Pennsylvania

Level 3A DSWA & DSC Level 2 Features

Mark Jurus - 54' sqff curved wall and 25 degree sloped wall

The start of any test day is strip out. Pulling the copes in the order you found them. Placing them furthest out standing up. Then the remainder of strip out which should take less than 45 minutes. Then it's onto building the wall. 

Level 2 candidates are required to build and set up their own frames.

Tasty treats to help those through the day.

Level 1 setting frames with examiner Brian Post

First in and one of the highest grades foundations.

The Rockin Walls training center staff and volunteers spent many days and hours to help formulate success for our fellow wallers.  Extra pallets of regional native stone, PA Fieldstone,  Lauren Mountain, Colonial Blue stone and also containers of packing stone. Rockin Walls Training Center received high marks from the examiners. 

Rebuilding. By lunch time you should always be at tie height which is about 18"-20"

Mark Jurus passed level 3A curve feature.

Examiners Chris and Brain looking over things.

Long day came to a quick end after 7 hours. Thank you gift buckets were handed out to all those who tested. Thank you for giving it your all!

At the end of the day the examiners gave feedback with each section personally or with the group. Well done to everyone! 

FREE SEMINAR! Understanding Proper Dry Laid Stone Construction

FREE SEMINAR!

Understanding Proper Dry Laid Stone Construction

This seminar is FREE to attend and is intended for professionals in the industry: (Landscape Architects, Landscape Designers, Landscape Companies and their Employees, Masons, Hardscape Installers, Students, Teachers/Instructors).

The seminar will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2018 from 9:30am-noon

@ the Rockin Walls Training Center in Hampstead, MD 21074

by Mark Jurus, Certified DSWA and DSC Instructor/Waller.

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The seminar will cover:

·      Basic terminology,

·      Understanding key elements (What makes a solid proper dry laid stone construction),

·      Why single sided walls fail!

·      Understanding why clean stone along with landscape cloth can cause more harm than good,

·      What you should look for when hiring or designing a stone wall,

·      Clear understanding of the right stone for the job,

·      How and where to start the design process,

·      Sustainable green building, (why it is so important to create eco systems for wildlife).

RSVP Mark@RockinWalls.com

Please feel free to share our seminar with your employees, students, colleagues, and professional members as well as through social media. 

About:

Mark Jurus has been working with stone since 2007 and started his certification process in 2009. Currently dual certified both with Dry Stone Conservancy (​DSC)​US  Level 2 Journeyman and Dry Stone Walling Association (DSWA) ​of Great Britain Level 3A. Mark holds the highest certification in surrounding states. In addition Mar​k is also a certified instructor and ​in 2014 set up the Rockin Walls Training Center.

​Mark and the Rockin Walls Training Center are both d​edicated to training and DSWA certification. 

Mark has been certified by several of the leaders in our industry, which includes Neil Rippingale DSC/DSWA Master Examiner from Scotland, Dan Snow DSC/DSWA Master Examiner from Vermont, Chris Tanguay Master Craftsman/Examiner DSWA-GB, DSC-US, and Brian Post Master Craftsman/Examiner DSWA-GB, Executive Director The Stone Trust VT, Licensed Landscape Architect VT. Neil has worked extensively with National Park Service (NPS)​ in the US for over 15 years and Dan is widely known ​for​ his creative stone art as seen in his two books. Mark has also worked on projects in Canada with DSWA Master/Examiner Dean McL​ellan 2012 StoneWurx and 2014 Willowbank School building two of the newest ​and largest inhabited dry laid stone structures in North America.

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​Mark has lead trainings for members of the staff at:

·      Historical Preservation Training Center - National Park Service (HPTC NPS)​

·      Gettysburg Battlefield NPS in ​2016

·      Hopewell Furnace PA NPS 2016

·      Delaware Water Gap PA NPS 2017

Questions? or to RSVP email Mark@RockinWalls.com

Or call 443.291.9388

2018 RW Training Centers - New Website

Hello Welcome to the all "New" Rockin Walls Training Center (RW Training Center) Website!

In the months to come, we will build this site to focus on what we do here at RW Training Center This site is designed to help you see why taking a workshop at RW Training Center has value. We are a leader in the growth of a lost craft.

RW Training Center is the only training center in the US that offers "Try Before You Buy" Tools from leading US mason manufacturers.  We firmly believe that teaching a trade will empower an individual by giving them the opportunity to make smart choices.

Stone teaches many life lessons. From teamwork, patience, decision making, compromises, math and visual awarness just to name a few.

RW Training Center is intended for Tradesmen/women, homeowners, students and those who just love rocks!

2018 Workshops

• April 14-15 Freestanding Wall Workshop $395.00

• June 16 Fundamental Building Skills/Practice $325.00

• June 23 Flatwork (ie..Patio - Walkways) Workshop $345.00

• Oct 26-27 Retaining Wall Workshop w/ Irregular stone $450.00

Brian Post ~ Master Craftsman ~ 2018 Spring April 13th Examiner

Brian Post (Vermont) Master Craftsman (Level IV) DSWA-GB,  Examiner / Instructor, Licensed Landscape Architect VT, Executive Director of The Stone Trust.

Brain is one of North America's newest examiners. He will be joining Rockin Walls Training Center April 13th 2018 for the first DSWA level 1 & 2 Certifications to be offered at our site. Brian and Chris Tanguay will be the two examiners for this one day event. We are honored and excited to have him here to see site. 

BRIAN POST owns and operates Standing Stone Landscape Architecture, a design build firm specializing in dry stone construction, in Springfield VT. Brian is the only certified waller who is also a Licensed Landscape Architect. Having knowledge from both the design world and the walling world gives Brian unique insights when teaching. Brian is one of seven DSWA-GB certified Master Craftsmen (Level IV) in the USA, and is also an Examiner and Certified instructor. Brian is also the Executive Director of The Stone Trust.

Chris Tanguay ~ Master Craftsman ~ 2018 Spring, Workshop / Certification

Rockin Walls Welcomes Chris Tanguay (Yarmouth, Maine) Master Craftsman (Level IV) DSWA-GB, DSC-US Examiner / Instructor. Don't miss this golden opportunity to be apart of history at Rockin Walls as continue to increase our offering, both training and certification in the craft of dry laid stone. 

Come meet your Instructor / Examiner this Spring 2018 for a 2 day workshop and 1 day certification. Sign up NOW for this amazing opportunity to work with one of ONLY a handful of dual certified instructor / examiner's here in the US!

About:
Chris has been working with stone for more than 20 years.  His work with stone started as a hobby, but turned into a career after he attended a lecture in college on the art of dry laid stone walls.  Chris Tanguay, was certified as a Master Craftsman through the Dry Stone Walling Association (DSWA) of Great Britain in 2005 and completed his Examiner’s Certification through the organization in 2006.  In 2010 Chris became certified as a Master Craftsman through the Dry Stone Conservancy (DSC) located in Kentucky.  He is one of only a handful to hold a duel master craftsman certificate with both the DSWA and DSC.  In 2011 he obtained his Instructor’s Certificate from the DSWA.  He enjoys promoting the craft through workshops and demonstrations as fundraisers for non-profits in the New England area and Canada.  When Chris is not working with stone he enjoys cutting wood, stacking wood, and moving wood into different piles.  He also enjoys fishing, riding his bike, hiking, playing with his kids, and sugaring.

www.MaineDryStone.com

www.facebook.com/mainedrystone/

Timeline:

2005 - Certified as a Master Craftsman through the Dry Stone Walling Association (DSWA) of Great Britain

2006 - Completed his Examiner’s Certification through the DSWA. 

2010 - Certified as a Master Craftsman through the Dry Stone Conservancy located in Kentucky. 

2011 - Obtained his Instructor’s Certificate from the DSWA.