Graduation from boatbuilding culminates in launching
Alexandria Poland, far left, Liam Scanlon and Mary LaRochelle, seventh graders from Woolwich Central School, are shown heading out into Nequasset Stream. The trio were among 13 student participants in this year’s Discovery Boatbuilding Program offered through the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath. PHIL DI VECE/Wiscasset Newspaper
Kurt Spiridakis, Maine Maritime Museum boatshop manager and student advisor, is shown on the left lending a hand with the launch of one two skiffs built by Woolwich Central School seventh and eight graders. PHIL DI VECE/Wiscasset Newspaper
Pictured in the boat they helped build are, from left, Tiffany Reed, Alec Arsenault and Sam Corbett. PHIL DI VECE/Wiscasset Newspaper.
Alexandria Poland, far left, Liam Scanlon and Mary LaRochelle, seventh graders from Woolwich Central School, are shown heading out into Nequasset Stream. The trio were among 13 student participants in this year’s Discovery Boatbuilding Program offered through the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath. PHIL DI VECE/Wiscasset Newspaper
Kurt Spiridakis, Maine Maritime Museum boatshop manager and student advisor, is shown on the left lending a hand with the launch of one two skiffs built by Woolwich Central School seventh and eight graders. PHIL DI VECE/Wiscasset Newspaper
Pictured in the boat they helped build are, from left, Tiffany Reed, Alec Arsenault and Sam Corbett. PHIL DI VECE/Wiscasset Newspaper.
Woolwich Central School and Maine Maritime Museum of Bath celebrated their Discovery Boatbuilding Program with the eighth annual graduation launching on Monday morning, June 13.
Mothers, fathers, grandparents and many others were on hand to greet seventh and eight grade students at Nequasset Park behind the Woolwich Town Office. Two hand-built skiffs were carried down the boat launch and placed in Nequasset Brook as onlookers took pictures and applauded.
It was breezy and overcast for the ceremony that began with opening remarks from Principal Jason Libby, who thanked the community and sponsors for their continued support of the program.
Steve Caulfield, a museum trustee, told the crowd the program provided young people with skills and friendships that would last a lifetime.
Kurt Spiridakis, museum boatshop manager and student advisor, introduced this year’s participants. They included three eight graders, Tiffany Reed, Sam Corbett and Alec Arsenault; and 10 seventh graders, Alexandria Poland, Mary LaRochelle, Hailie Johnson, Avery Smith, Grace Bingham, Gavin Mougalian, Kelsey Tibbetts, Oscar Hennin, Liam Scanlon and Lucas Ouimette.
Caulfield, Nick Locsin, Kelly Watt, Rick Marco, Rick Cliffe, Richard Spear, George Sprague and Charlie Durfee served as volunteers.
The program is a hands-on curriculum carried on over two semesters. It introduces students to traditional boatbuilding.
According the museum website, “During the first semester, students develop an understanding of basic woodworking techniques, wood technology, and thinking in three dimensions.
“Each student builds three increasingly difficult projects to take home ... a three-legged stool, a toolbox, and a carved half model of the skiff they will be constructing. In the second semester, the students go through every process of building a 12-foot, flat-bottom skiff of a traditional Maine design.”
The program culminates with the launch of the boats around the last week of school.
Since the program started, Woolwich Central has had 118 students participate. The museum has a similar program with South Bristol School in South Bristol.
For more, visit www.mainemaritimemuseum.org
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