Students in the construction program at the Marion County Carl Loftin Career and Technology Center are putting their skills to work on a project with a purpose.
They are building a wheelchair-accessible hunting house for a community member who uses a wheelchair but still wants to enjoy time in the woods.
Led by instructor Rashan Foxworth, first-year and second-year construction students have moved from the classroom to a real world build. They are framing the structure from the floor up and focusing on stability, safety and accessibility. The project includes a solid, sturdy floor system, reinforced framing and a planned small ramp so that the owner can roll into the hunting shed independently.
In the shop, students can be seen working through the same steps used on professional job sites. These steps include laying out the footprint, building the base, framing walls and bracing the structure to keep everything plumb and square. As construction continues, the hunting house will be finished with features designed for comfort and use during the season, including insulation and a layout intended to be fully accessible for the wheelchair user.
“This is the kind of work we want our students doing, projects that matter,” Foxworth said. “They are learning framing, layout, measurement and safety, but they are also learning what it means to use a trade to serve somebody else.”
The service project reflects the construction program’s larger goal at Marion County CTC, which is teaching employable skills while building pride and responsibility through community focused work. For students, it is hands-on training with real expectations such as accuracy, teamwork and quality craftsmanship. For the recipient, it means access to something meaningful, the ability to hunt comfortably and safely.
When completed, the wheelchair accessible hunting house will stand as both a practical build and a reminder that student-led projects can make a lasting difference across Marion County.
