Urban BoatWorks

I am also volunteering for one special program, Urban BoatWorks, one day a week.  Urban BoatWorks is this incredible program that instructs high school and middle school students in building wooden boats.  Since the program began two years ago, the students built a total of seven boats:  three rowboats, two sailboats, and two canoes.  They all work well and look great too!  So great, in fact, that two of them have been sold for thousands of dollars!  That is the value of the handiwork these Camden students can make when they learn to work together toward a common goal.  I am proud to say I know most of these students by name!

On Tuesdays I drive Urban BoatWorks students to swim practice.  I even get to swim with them.  It’s very fun to go swimming, but it’s even more fun to watch these students learn how to swim.  They reminded me that even swimming was an activity that needed courage.  A number of these students were afraid to keep their heads underwater for long periods of time, or even to walk around without a t-shirt on!  I join the Urban BoatWorks staff and the instructor in encouraging these Camden students because swimming is not only an important skill in a canoe but, “Be not afraid" was one of Jesus’ most common phrases. The courage these children learn at the swimming pool is a great life lesson.

Urban BoatWorks is under the umbrella of UrbanTrekkers, an experiential learning program that allows students to get outdoors and see their lessons before their eyes.  I can't explain how valuable the staff and students' journeys together have been.