In 2013 Urban Promises' Urban Boatworks program moved into the former Parish Hall for the purpose of teaching 65-120 area middle and high school students science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through the hands-on boatbuilding program.

 

Within the shop, young boatwrights are introduced to the basics of boatbuilding--such as stich and glue and cedar strip construction--as well as classic marine literature, the geometry of boat design, physics of buoyancy and aerodynamics, and Camden’s waterfront history. 

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Since the program’s beginning in 2009 middle and high school youth have been handcrafting paddle boards, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards and launching them on local waterways. As they work in the boat shop alongside instructors and mentors—nearly all of whom are volunteers—students learn the skills needed to become leaders among peers and productive, responsible adults.

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urbanpromiseusa.org/programs/urbanboatworks/