Our Workshop
Our program is designed to be 2-4 hour sessions, 3 days a week, over 8-10 weeks. A typical day starts with house rules, followed by a work session, then refreshments, snacks, and 30 minutes Q&A, another work session, and concludes with a shop cleanup. On the first day, we will discuss the program, review shop rules, assign materials and workspaces, and end with a barbeque. The following days is where the real work begins! Below is a summary of key build activities for our kayaks:
| DAY ONE | DAY TWO | DAY THREE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEEK 1 | Prepare strong backs Construction and dry fit of frames to keelson |
Epoxy frames Rip chine logs and sheer clamps Cut stems |
Fit stems to keelson Cut and fit frames to receive chine logs and sheer clamps |
| WEEK 2 | Prepare work area for epoxy Epoxy stems, chine logs, and sheer clamps |
Sand and plane assembled frames | Cut and fit plywood for sides Fit butt joints and epoxy |
| WEEK 3 | Sand/fair butt joints if necessary Fit and epoxy sides to frame |
Cut and fit bottom to frame Cut, fit, and epoxy butt joints |
Fair chine logs to receive bottoms Epoxy bottoms to frame |
| WEEK 4 | Trim bottom Sand and Fair kayak hull Flip Kayaks! |
Cut and fit deck member Epoxy |
Fare and sand frame, sheer clamp, and cross member Cut plywood for decks |
| WEEK 5 | Dry fit plywood deck Epoxy interior kayak |
Hull repairs and filling Cut and fit runners Stain Day |
Fiberglass hulls |
| WEEK 6 | Install runners Install and epoxy decks |
Prepare for sanding interior and exterior | Make repairs and fill glass Drill holes for handles and epoxy |
| WEEK 7 | Sand repairs Cut paddle blades |
Construct paddles and fiberglass | Complete paddles Cut and fit rub rails |
| WEEK 8 | Final sanding and preparation for paint | painting | Install rub rails Finish work on kayaks |
| WEEK 9 | Cut wood for seats | Begin seat assembly | Complete seat construction |
| WEEK 10 | Paint or stain seats | Finalize remaining tasks | Preparation for Launch |
| LAUNCH DAY | Lifejackets Required Participants launch their kayaks Program concludes |
A few things to keep in mind before joining our workshop:
- Our timeframe permits a relaxed pace in which all participants have ample time to complete their kayaks. Any participant that cannot complete the kayak in the given time will be permitted to complete construction in a future class.
- At all times project leaders and volunteers are reminded that kayak construction is secondary. The primary intention of this program is “Reintegration through Purpose, Dignity, and Respect”.
- During this project, it is our responsibility to provide an environment conducive to our mission.
- Know your strengths, know your limits, know your resources, and use them effectively.
- You are not professional counselors, you are a peer group that has gone through similar experiences. While bonding, sharing, and brotherhood are strongly encouraged, we do not have the ability to “treat” our participants. We do however have access to these resources and it is your responsibility to utilize them during the lifespan of the project.
- The project is designed to do the work for you, as participants construct their kayaks the occupational aspect of our program will take effect, don’t rush this process, let it occur naturally.
- Additional time is intentionally factored into the program for participants unable to conform to a standard schedule. These participants are not to be admonished for this, these are the individuals most likely to benefit from the program.
- As the participants open up and begin to communicate it is acceptable to ascertain their needs, if any. Again, match needs to our available resources.
- Remember, if they are in this program they have earned the right to be here. Whatever their current circumstances, they are Brothers, so never judge or assume.
- Most importantly, HAVE FUN!