The SkillsUSA club at Fort Dodge Senior High School is holding a unique fundraiser this spring

The club, led by Industrial Technology teacher Jeremiah Reed, is looking to design and build She Sheds for those in the city that want to add a unique addition to their property.

The sheds come in several different sizes and models and can include customized finishing touches as well.

“Most of the funds raised will go toward our dues and the competition fees,” said Reed. “We would also like to use the funds to build up our program and allow kids to see the opportunities that are available in the manufacturing fields.”

The idea for She Sheds actually stemmed from a conversation with Health Occupations teacher Kiley O’Leary, said Reed.

“I was talking about doing sheds and she said we should do She Sheds and how they are very popular right now,” he added.

The plan right now is to complete up to four sheds. Reed said his students will meet with a customer to talk about their ideas and then design the project before proceeding to material selection and finally building the shed.

Three models are available for purchase and customization. The first is a Cozy Cottage Book Nook that measures 6-feet-by-8-feet. The second is a Modern Garden Retreat that is 6-feet-by-10-feet and the final is a Rustic Cabin Escape that measures 8-feet-by-10-feet.

Costs range from $2,750, $3,250 and $3,750 for the base cabin.

Sheds may also be customized with different doors and windows along with some electrical upgrades. The cabins can also include built-in features such as seating and book shelves for an additional cost.

After meeting with a customer and developing plans, SkillsUSA will then handle ordering materials and building the cabins. Reed said he plans to build the sheds at the school and then have the customers set up pick up and delivery. He said it may be possible to build on a site, but that may take more planning.

“The customers will give us what they want and then the kids will design them based on those plans. Basically, we’ll teach them the entire process,” he said.

Reed said he hopes to get customers lined up and the projects started so they can be done before the end of the school year. This first year, he wants to have just three or four sheds to build so they can see how the process goes.

He also wants to stay within the city limits for on-site builds this first year to make sure the process goes smoothly. Reed did say that if someone outside of Fort Dodge would be interested and they would be willing to set up shipping, he would consider that.

“It’s a great hands-on experience,” said Reed. “We have some kids that are really excited about this. We have kids going to a competition next month and they’ll be doing something similar at that competition.”

Anyone interested in purchasing a shed can contact Reed through his school email at jreed@fdschools.org.