Inspiring Youth

Shipshaped is a place where youth come together to build their own wooden boats. Working in groups, they develop, not only woodworking skills, but enhance their mathematics understanding, blueprint reading, marketing, and the business of boats. On a more personal level young adults develop the skills to work with others, to complete projects and to troubleshoot issues. Not to mention lots of patience!

Boat building has been used as a way to channel the energies and develop the abilities of youth in many countries. In Europe, the Atlantic Challenge has a large following. Groups in dozens of cities and towns have been formed to sponsor the construction of Bantry Bay gigs. These 40-foot boats are built by youth groups to the specifications from the late 18th Century, and then raced, both rowed and sailed, in regattas all over the world.

The workshops offered at Shipshaped are hands-on practical applications designed for the first time boat builder. All classes are presented and overseen by the owner and the program was designed to meet the needs of young adults who are facing personal challenges. It gives these teens – who may be having difficulty in school or are contending with emotional or behavioural issues – an opportunity to experience an alternative leaning environment. In each class, they will participate in this hands-on program, learning the necessary skills to complete the task themselves.