Islesford Boatworks (IB) is a community-based summer boatbuilding program for children ages 7-18. By teaching kids to build traditional wooden boats, Islesford Boatworks aims to build opportunity, community, and a future for Maine's working waterfront.
The community of Islesford, Maine was once home to a fair number of fisheries and marine-related businesses, and the island's population relied on the ocean for their livelihood in a broad spectrum of trades. Today, however, marine-related professions on the island have ebbed to the point that only lobstering remains. In pondering the future of Islesford we have watched our waterfront change and have grown concerned about the sustainability of a community that is increasingly cut off from the ocean.
History
IB was started in 2006 by the Ravenhills as a 501 c3 non profit organization. IB utilizes the Ravenhill’s 800 sq.ft. barn to teach kids basic boat building skills. Each summer for 6-8 weeks, a boat is built by the students. Upon completion, the boat is raffled off during a pirate themed gala/fund raising event. Over 150 students have attended over the past 4 years, many for multiple years.
The organization has sustained itself through contributions, grants, tuition, the actual boat built that year and the Gala. The success of IB has been dramatic. The Ravenhills (Geoffrey, Brendan and Amanda) have created a program that is richly rewarding and educational, fostering a real sense of accomplishment in the students.
Our Mission
Contact us at:islesfordboatworks@gmail.com
