ROCKLAND — The Apprenticeshop's Youth Boatbuilding Spring Break Workshop was a big success. A group of students ages 7 to 15 enthusiastically worked alongside a graduate apprentices, staff, and volunteers to construct three optimist prams, building them up from plans to actual boats in one week. There was lots of hands-on learning, and the students were dedicated to both the process and the project. There was a particular focus on learning the basics of boatbuilding and woodworking, though students were also introduced to basic seamanship and sailing nomenclature during the week.

The Apprenticeshop's Community Sailing program uses these Optimist dinghies to teach seamanship and sailing to beginner and intermediate sailors from May through October. Workshop participants were encouraged to sign up for sailing this summer to sail the boats that they helped build. The Apprenticeshop is a center for traditional wooden boatbuilding, sailing and seamanship located at 655 Main Street. FMI: 207-594-1800 or Apprenticeshop.org.