We offer a series of one-week project-based woodworking classes during the summer. Designed for youth ages 12 - 16, this series introduces students to the basics of woodworking and carpentry. Each class teaches shop safety, measuring, layout, joinery, and tool use and care. Students are also introduced to new tools and their applications. Each week features a different project or pair of projects.
Class runs runs Monday-Friday from 10 AM - 2 or 3 PM and is stand alone. Students can register for one week or all weeks. There are no prerequisites for any of the classes. Classes are limited to 8 students to make sure everyone receives individual attention. Students take home their completed project on Fridays. Check back in early Spring 2025 for registration details.
Building & Sailing Boats - July & August
Young people ages 10-17 are introduced to woodworking, boatbuilding and sailing in this 4-day course encompassing a range of STEAM focused skills and activities. Students practice cooperation, teamwork, self-confidence, and independence as they learn to build and sail boats.
Students spend part of the day in the woodshop learning basic woodworking skills, the parts of a sailboat, and the fundamentals of boat building. In the other part of their day, they join US Sailing Certified instructors to learn the basics of sailing, steering, tacking and gybing, and capsize drills. Students practice crew skills and sail independently when they are ready.
Check back in early Spring 2025 for registration details.
Build A Soapbox Derby Car
The Kingston Artist Soapbox Derby, now celebrating 28 years, is a parade of non-motorized kinetic sculptures capable of rolling down lower Broadway in the Rondout neighborhood of Kingston, NY. It is an event that brings professional artists, the creatively inclined, families and friends together to show off their wild, wacky, and original soapbox creations. This year's derby took place on August 18 and the Wooden Boat School entered a float built by our students and volunteers.
For the 2025 derby, youth can come join the fun in a week-long class leading up to the derby, whether one, two, or all five days. They'll be part of the team that will design and build our wooden float from scratch, while learning woodworking and mechanical skills along the way. No prior experience is required and anyone from age 11 and older can join.