Mancamp
An ongoing project: teaching kids old-fashioned blacksmithing, wherever the forge can travel.
Mancamp 2026What Mancamp Is
Mancamp is Jay Noone's ongoing project to put real tools in the hands of young people. Jay speaks about it at events, and hosts small and large Mancamp gatherings whenever the opportunity lines up — a weekend at a friend's property, a week at a larger festival, or something in between.
The core never changes. Kids work a real forge, make functional iron tools, try a little oxy-acetylene gas welding, and clean up their projects with files and stones — no electric grinders, because the quiet matters as much as the work. Seasoned blacksmiths work alongside the campers so nobody is left guessing, and so the forge always has steady hands on it.
The idea for Mancamp started back in 2014. A big gathering ran at Porcfest in 2018, Jay fundraised for another round in 2023, and it continues on Jay's terms — wherever there's room for an anvil and a few kids willing to swing a hammer.
What We Do
Traditional Blacksmithing
Forge-and-hammer work making real, functional iron tools. The same craft that built every farm and frontier town on this continent.
Oxy-Acetylene Welding
Hands-on gas welding for the older kids, supervised by experienced welders. A skill that pays for itself for the rest of your life.
Hand Finishing
Files and mill stones instead of electric grinders. It takes longer, it teaches patience, and it keeps the camp quiet enough to actually talk to each other.
Mentors at the Forge
Volunteer blacksmiths — including Derrick and Ernie — work alongside the kids so the forge is always staffed by someone who knows the trade.
Safety First
Every camper gets safety glasses, ear protection, gloves, aprons, and leather chaps — most kids don't show up with the right boots and jeans for forge work, so we cover that.
Built on Volunteers
Mancamp runs on donated time and donated dollars. If you want to teach, sponsor a kid's safety kit, or help run the schedule, get in touch.
Mancamp 2026
This year's Mancamp runs for a full week at Jay's place, timed to the week of Porcfest. It's a quieter, more focused companion to the festival, just a smaller room around the forge for folks who want more time at the anvil.
Dates
June 21 – June 28, 2026. A full week at the forge.
Location
Jay's house in McCoye, New Hampshire. Timed to the week of Porcfest — come to one, both, or split the week. Porcfest is a short drive away.
Help Make It Happen
Forge fuel, safety gear, and supplies all cost money. Support Mancamp →
From the Forge — Mancamp 2018
A few shots from Mancamp at Porcfest. More to come from Mancamp 2026.
