GROVEPORT, Ohio (WCMH) — Students at Groveport Madison High School got some hands-on experience in the construction trades program as more than a dozen got started this week on a new shelter house.

“Everything from the ground up, the students are touching everything. So all the finishing touches through putting a roof on,” said Chad Gibbs, construction trades teacher.

The project has been in the works in collaboration with the city of Groveport for more than a year now at Cruiser Park. “This park doesn’t have a shelter or anything for any kids and there’s probably 30 or 40 soccer teams that use this field all the time,” Gibbs said.

For around five hours each school day, students are out at the park working and learning many lessons in this short time. “Everybody’s going to mess up like it’s just about everybody helping to work together to fix the problem, because there’s no point in complaining or doing all the crying. So just get it done,” said junior Nick Hodge.

The project puts all the responsibility on the students from communicating with the customer to actual construction. It’s a way to take their knowledge from the classroom and put it to the test.

“You really have to know what you’re doing because you’re actually using customer money now. So it actually gives them a good relationship with the customer and gets some good experience,” said Gibbs.

The students said along with testing what they already know, they are also learning other new skills as well with the hands-on work. “I’m learning a lot more out here, actually doing hands-on work. It’s a lot easier to get a hold of it and get a hold of everything,” said senior Blaine Brown.

Brown felt a sense of pride knowing his work was helping the community. “It feels good. It feels good to know that some work that I’ve done will stay around for a while,” Brown said.

The goal is for the project to be complete by May 9.