!! In the quiet hours of the bootcamp grind, I found myself: Esteban's Bootcamp Experience

Inge Leonora-den Ouden wrote:

Esteban Ademovski wrote:...

Hi Esteban. I love such a well-organised computer screen! (comment on the last photo)

Haha, thank you! 😊 Those folders contain some of the projects I’ve been working on and documenting. It’s actually pretty rewarding seeing them all organized in one place — each one represents a lot of work, learning, and memories along the way. 😄

B.E.L. Post # 221

The day started off at Basecamp with irrigation. With the warmer weather upon us, getting water where it needed to go was the first priority.

I had Matt and Melissa set up a sprinkler between the Red Cabin and the garlic patch, positioning the sprinklers so they would work toward each other. Meanwhile, I worked on setting up irrigation at Apricot Alley and the berm across from the Library.

Starting from the outside of the garden gate, I placed the sprinklers so the coverage would slowly work inward, eventually meeting at the horseradish berm. We ran each sprinkler location for about an hour before moving them to the next spot. This allowed us to systematically work through the different areas while giving the soil and plants time to absorb the water.

While we were getting the Basecamp irrigation going, Stephen and Leo were busy filling up the two Turtle water tanks to haul up to the Abbey. This helped stage everything for the afternoon irrigation work.

Once the sprinklers were set and the watering schedule was underway, we shifted gears into another rockjack build.

I had Matt, Melissa, and Jesse continue working on a rockjack at the same location where I had guided Matt the previous day. My goal was not only to finish another structure, but also to give them more hands-on experience with the entire process—from selecting the right materials, preparing the pieces, building the rockjack, and eventually framing junkpole panels from the ground up.

The reason I enjoy teaching these skills is because I want the knowledge to continue spreading. Today’s boots become tomorrow’s teachers, and having more people understand these techniques only strengthens the community.

We started by selecting a good-sized log from beneath the Bermshed that would work well for the project. While the team transported the log to the work area, I gathered the tools and materials needed.

For this build, we only needed:

* Chainsaw
* Nail gun
* Air compressor
* Marker

I measured and marked the cuts, preparing two 7-foot pieces for the arms and two 5-foot pieces for the legs. After staging everything near the miter saw, I walked Matt and Jesse through the proper use of the equipment and let them make the cuts themselves.

Once the pieces were prepared, we transported everything to the work site and began assembly.

Melissa helped hold the main post in place while Jesse and Matt marked, notched, and fastened the pieces together. Using the leftover cutoffs from the shop along with other woody material, we finished building the shelving portion of the rockjack.

The final step was adding the rocks, completing another structure and another opportunity for the team to practice the process.

After the rockjack was finished, I had Jesse and Matt work on filling in the junkpole panel that Leo had framed the previous day. While they worked on that, Melissa helped move irrigation hoses around as needed, and I gathered materials for the next task.

Once the junkpole panel was completed, Jesse headed off to work on trail building at one of the berms. I then brought Melissa and Matt over to the Library area where I showed them a small plant identification project I had been working on.

Using processed aluminum cans, we created durable plant identification tags. I demonstrated the process of preparing the aluminum, embossing the plant information, attaching the tag to an appropriately sized bamboo stake, and placing it in the ground.

Matt and Melissa followed along, creating their own plant markers. Afterward, we planted seeds, covered them with mulch, installed the plant tags, and gave everything a final watering with watering cans.

After lunch, we switched gears again and divided the team between Basecamp projects and irrigation work at the Abbey.

I had Leo and Melissa stay at Basecamp to continue working on the junkpole fencing at Lightning Hill and then transition over to the firewood rack project. Leo was running point on both of those projects, giving him more experience with taking ownership and coordinating work.

Melissa also continued helping with irrigation by moving hoses where needed.

The rest of us gathered the tools for the afternoon work:

* Three chainsaws with extra batteries
* Hatchets
* Folding saw

Once we arrived at the Abbey, we gathered the irrigation equipment, including the hoses, sprinklers, water pump, apparatus, and battery. We staged everything near the Turtle water tanks and worked on putting the system together.

I guided and assisted the team as they connected the irrigation components and laid out the hoses. It was another good opportunity for everyone to gain experience with the setup and operation of the system.

After the irrigation was ready, Jesse and Matt continued working on the final framed junkpole panel from the section I had started earlier. While they worked on that, I harvested more material to continue framing the next section of fencing.

Overall, it was another productive day combining irrigation, natural building, material harvesting, plant establishment, and teaching.

What I enjoy most about these days is seeing the team gain confidence. A project is never just about the finished structure—it is also about the skills, knowledge, and experience that get passed along during the process.

B.E.L. Post # 222

This morning started with Stephen and Leo filling up the water turtle tanks to bring up to the Abbey. After that, they continued with chop and drop work while also making progress on the wing wall repair.

Meanwhile, I guided my team through framing up the final three junkpole panels running alongside the driveway. I had Matt, Jesse, and Melissa work through the full process of measuring, marking, notching, and fastening each horizontal and vertical piece of the frame.

The tools we used included chainsaws with extra batteries, an angle grinder for removing stubborn nails from some reused materials, permanent markers for layout, safety glasses, and gloves.

I'm happy to report that the framing phase is now complete! Tomorrow we will begin filling in the panels and continuing the transformation of this section of fencing.

During the afternoon shift, I tasked Leo and Matt with remaining at basecamp to continue working on the junkpole fencing up at Lightning Hill.

Meanwhile, Jesse, Melissa, and I headed up to the Abbey. We brought with us three chainsaws with extra batteries, motion lotion, a hatchet, pruning saw, a couple of sickles, and plenty of determination.

Upon arrival, I had Jesse begin filling in the junkpole panel while Melissa and I focused on setting up the water system. We connected the water pump, ran the hoses, and got everything prepared and ready to go.

After that, we moved into some mulching and began chop and drop work on the first berm on the left-hand side when entering the Abbey entrance.

Another great day of teamwork, learning, and improving the land one project at a time. It is rewarding to see the fencing progress, the systems coming together, and everyone continuing to build confidence with each new task.

B.E.L. Post # 223

Today our team split up to tackle several projects around Wheaton Labs.

This morning, Matt and Leo teamed up with Stephen, while Melissa and Jesse joined me at the Abbey. Jesse continued filling in one of the junkpole fence panels, and Melissa focused on mulching around the area. While they kept those projects moving forward, I harvested roundwood to help Leo with the junkpole panel rebuilds back at Basecamp.

After lunch, we shifted gears and spread out again. I assigned Jesse to continue building trails, while Melissa and Leo took care of irrigating the berms in the garden paddock, working at the firewood rack, and doing chop-and-drop.

Meanwhile, Matt and I unloaded the roundwood from Roy's metal rack before making a recycling run. We then headed back to the Abbey to irrigate the area. Matt harvested additional junkpoles for Jesse's panel, while I finished the afternoon mulching and doing more chop-and-drop.

B.E.L. Post # 224

   Today I started by tasking Leo and Matt to continue work up at Lightning Hill. Meanwhile, Jesse kept filling in the junkpole panels along the drive and she's doing great. Melissa and I installed two tree cages at Raspberry Rock, then did chop and drop. After that, we started irrigation between the garden gate and Apricot Alley, working toward each other.

   In the afternoon, I sent Leo, Jesse, and Melissa to the Abbey for irrigation, fencing, and more chop and drop mulching. Matt and I continued chop and drop, processed aluminum cans and finished the day with chainsaw maintenance. I walked Matt through the process so he could get more hands-on experience. It felt like another satisfying day of steady land work, maintenance, and learning.