Storytelling is a powerful communication tool for teaching young people about the past. It is also an effective way to teach values and motivate them to work harder in class! Since 2001, Bill has presented elementary school assemblies that teach students about lumberjacks and the values they practiced including team work, honesty, sacrifice and pride.

Bill plays the role of an 19th century Swedish immigrant who came to America for a better life. The assembly is very inter-active with students challenged with questions throughout. Bill uses repetition to reinforce important concepts such as saving money to purchase land, the relationship between workers and management, self reliance and getting along with others. Bullying was not tolerated in camps and teamwork was critical to their success.

Bill uses antique tools, old-time video, role playing and traditional songs to make the assembly a fun and educational experience! Students learn the immigrant story about the many natural resources that brought them to America. They learn about the different jobs in the woods, the many steps from taking down the trees to getting them to the saw mills and the progression from logging to farming. Students learn that they possess the same qualities as their forefathers, such as self reliance, hard work, self respect and honesty.