The Boatshop

08/31/2026

The Captains and Carpenters campers lived up to the name of their week-long stint in The Boatshop. The week began with glued up oar blanks and 12 first time rowers. It ended with them very capably rowing the oars they made themselves using hand tools. What an impressive sight this was!

08/20/2026

This week's Captains & Carpenters campers learning to row the gundalow on the way back from a visit to the restored Wood Island Life Saving Station. The gundalow sweeps are larger versions of the oars the kids are crafting in our pop-up boatshop this week and this was a cool way to put their project into the larger maritime context. # # # #

08/13/2026

This July, Boatshop campers launched 48 new model boats, which join a fleet that now numbers 300!

07/30/2026

We never get tired of the smiles of pride and joy that spread across the kids' faces when they get the hang of using the tools.

07/28/2026

The pop-up Boatshop in the Wentworth-Gardner warehouse is buzzing again this week with a new crew of campers.

We often say we're not really building boats, we're building people. Why? Because learning to use hand tools to transform raw materials into something of your own creation builds confidence, cultivates focus, and fosters attention to detail.

Wentworth-Gardner Historic House
Gundalow Company

07/16/2026

From raw materials to all lined up and ready for launch in just four (half) days! This week's campers were the first to get to experience our new pop-up boatshop in the Wentworth-Gardner's warehouse overlooking the Piscataqua River. And wow, did these kids live up to the history and location.

Thanks to our partners Gundalow Company and The Wentworth-Gardner House, and all The Boatshop volunteers for making the dream of this new space and our hands-on summer camps a reality.

07/13/2026

07/11/2026

If these boats could talk, what would they say?

Today, they'd say a big THANK YOU to Gundalow Company for hosting Riverfest.

A hearty thank you also goes to all The Boatshop volunteers who made our display look so inviting and who helpd with our hands-on tool exploration station. We are grateful to be part of such a vibrant community.