Building to Teach

If you’re reading a WoodenBoat publication, you’ve probably been bitten by the “wooden boat bug.” The experience of building something beautiful and then using it in cooperation with nature is something that appeals to you. Ben Fuller in a letter to the editor of WoodenBoat listed some of the skills we learn from small boats, “self reliance, teamwork, forethought, honesty, endurance, tolerance and modesty.” I would add showing up on time, following directions and learning to take responsibility and succeed.  Everybody uses these skills in life and in the workplace. In my experience, experts in school to work and those trying to prevent drop outs, gangs, drug use and teen pregnancy hold these skills to be vitally important in the success of their programs. Building traditionally designed wooden boats also provides practical application of the math, science, history and English that young people learn in school.

I have a quote from Franklin Roosevelt in the office,” We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.” Anybody who observes their community sees that young people can benefit from some of the skills we listed above. It doesn’t matter who or where these kids are. I’ve seen programs build boats with kids in Alaska, Hawaii and New York City. All these kids had similar needs inside themselves.

For most kids, even if they live near the water, boats and water are a foreign environment. To borrow an analogy from basketball… when you’re building boats, the kids are playing on your court. They all start at the same basic level with no bad habits. You get to create your own environment with its own rules. (Safety First!) You have the opportunity to bring together groups that normally wouldn’t associate. One of the more powerful breakthroughs in our shop occurred when we had a 17 year old recovery alcoholic lead a team of severely learning disabled apprentices. I know it sounds like a recipe for disaster,  but it worked. The leader has stayed straight and the members of his team can get a job in this town as soon as they finish school.

The building process is very adaptable. We’ve worked with emotionally disturbed and severely learning disabled groups  as well as gifted and talented. We’ve been able to tailor our programs to meet each groups needs. Success can be expanding a hull panel shape from a drawing or learning to hold and use a plane properly.

Building boats with young people is also unbelievably rewarding. When the light bulb goes off and a kid gets it, you get to re experience the feeling when you got it right for the first time. “It” can lofting, planking, sailing or reading a ruler. For me, it’s a real high.