Some of life's most important lessons aren't always taught in school. Our workshops and classes help students build confidence, independence, and practical life skills through hands-on activities, meaningful conversations, and engaging experiences. From social-emotional learning and financial literacy to creative projects and everyday life skills, every experience is designed to help students learn, grow, and thrive in the real world.
Nichols Knows: Sew Much Fun
Hand sewing basics, creative projects, and Life Skills that can literally hold you together.
Ready to learn a new skill, make cool things, and have some fun along the way?
Sew Much Fun is a relaxed, beginner-friendly hand sewing workshop designed for middle school students who want to learn the basics of sewing while creating projects they can be proud of. No experience is needed—just bring your curiosity and willingness to try something new!
Over five hands-on sessions, we'll learn the fundamentals of hand sewing, including sewing safety, threading a needle, tying knots, and several beginner stitches. Then we'll put those skills to work through creative projects, challenges, and plenty of opportunities to personalize your work and make it your own.
This isn't about being perfect. It's about learning something new, building confidence, getting creative, and discovering that you can do more than you think.
🧵 Sewing Safety: Tools & Rules
🧵 Measuring and Cutting Thread
🧵 Threading a Needle
🧵 Starting & Finishing Knots
🧵 Running Stitch
🧵 Backstitch
🧵 Cross Stitch
🧵 Chain Stitch
🧵 Blanket Stitch
🧵 Sewing on Buttons
Who: Middle School Students
Skill Level: Beginner
When: 5 Days • 2 Hours Per Day
Location: TBA – Holly Springs, NC
What to Bring: Supply list will be provided.
✨ Learn. Create. Connect. And discover that sewing is sew much fun. ✨
"Warning: Side effects may include confidence, creativity, new friendships, and the uncontrollable urge to tell everyone, 'I made this myself!'" 😄
Nichols Knows: Shop, Chop & Roll!
A Mobile Classroom Adventure in Food, Budgeting & Life Skills
What does it really take to get a recipe from an idea to the table?
In this hands-on life skills adventure, students will learn how to plan, shop for, and prepare a simple recipe—from start to finish. Using our mobile classroom (RV), we'll head to a local grocery store to create shopping lists, compare prices, make smart food choices, and practice staying within a budget. Then we'll return to the mobile classroom kitchen to turn our ingredients into a delicious recipe.
Along the way, students will build confidence in decision-making, problem-solving, budgeting, meal planning, and basic cooking skills. They'll gain practical experience that helps them become more independent while having fun and working alongside their peers.
This class combines real-world learning with hands-on experience, giving students the opportunity to practice skills they can use at home for years to come.
How to follow and prepare a recipe
Grocery shopping strategies
Comparing prices and finding value
Budget-friendly decision-making
Reading labels and ingredient lists
Kitchen safety and food preparation
Basic cooking skills
Teamwork and problem-solving
Come ready to shop, chop, roll, and enjoy the results!
Location: Local grocery store & RV kitchen (details provided before class)
Ages: Middle School Students
Nichols Knows: What's Happening in Headquarters?
A 6-Week Social & Emotional Skills Conversation & Connection Group for Middle School Students
Inside Out and Inside Out 2 follow Riley as she navigates the challenges of growing up, friendships, family, and the transition into adolescence. The story is uniquely told from the perspective of Riley's emotions as they work together—and sometimes compete—from "Headquarters," the control center inside her mind that influences her thoughts, feelings, relationships, and decisions.
This small-group experience meets once a week for six weeks. Using scenes and themes from Inside Out and Inside Out 2, participants will engage in guided conversations, reflection activities, and real-life connections while exploring how emotions influence thoughts, behaviors, friendships, and decision-making.
Together, we'll explore the five core pillars of social and emotional learning:
Self-Awareness
Self-Management
Social Awareness
Relationship Skills
Responsible Decision-Making
Participants will have opportunities to share their experiences, learn from their peers, build meaningful connections, and develop practical strategies for navigating everyday challenges with confidence. As the group grows together over six weeks, participants will gain not only valuable life skills but also a sense of belonging, understanding, and community.
Together, we'll discover what's happening in our own headquarters—and how understanding our emotions can help us build stronger relationships and make thoughtful decisions.
Ages: Middle School Students
Format: Small Group Conversation & Connection Experience
Length: 6 Weeks
Meeting Schedule: Once Weekly
Location: TBD
Group Size: Limited to encourage participation and connection
Nichols Knows: Dollhouse Designers
Ever wonder why some rooms just feel right—and how designers make that happen?
In Nichols Knows: Dollhouse Designers, students will explore the world of interior design and decorating—from color palettes and furniture placement to lighting, flooring, textures, and personal style. We'll learn from industry professionals through a guest speaker and/or field trip, gaining insight into the creative and practical decisions designers make every day.
Then comes the fun part: working together to transform a dollhouse into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Using real paint samples, wallpaper, flooring materials, fabrics, and miniature furnishings, students will apply what they've learned to create a stylish and welcoming space.
The finished dollhouse won't just be for display—it will be donated so children can enjoy it for years to come.
Who: Middle School Students
Skill Level: Beginner
When: 5 Days • 2 Hours Per Day
Location: TBA – Holly Springs, NC
What to Bring: Supply list will be provided.
No design experience needed—just creativity, curiosity, and a willingness to think outside the (doll)house.
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