Program teaches teens life lessons through boat building

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Program teaches teens life lessons through boat building




After a sailing lesson, volunteer instructor Jay O'Brien, left, and summer camper Devaughn Kennedy head in to shore on the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River on Friday, July 19, 2019. Summer camp teens at Tidewater Wooden Boat Workshop, who spent the week learning boat building skills, were given sailing and rowing lessons on the types of boats that they had helped build. Steve Earley/Staff

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Two sailboats built by students at Tidewater Wooden Boat Workshop sail across the Easter Branch of the Elizabeth River on Friday, July 19, 2019. Summer camp teens at the workshop, who spent the week learning boat building skills, were given sailing and rowing lessons. Steve Earley/Staff

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Students and volunteer instructors bring two sailboats and a rowing dinghy to shore on the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River on Friday, July 19, 2019. Summer camp teens at Tidewater Wooden Boat Workshop who spent the week learning boat building skills, were given sailing and rowing lessons on the types of boats that they had helped build. 

By Lee Tolliver Staff writer
Updated 19 hrs ago

NORFOLK
As a warm breeze blew over the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River, Indiana King dreamed of sailing away.
The 15-year-old Norview High student wants to be a travel agent some day, so going out on a sailboat was right up her waterway.



As she clipped on her life jacket and eased into a small sailboat on the river's shoreline Friday morning, another high schooler was getting into his own sailboat right next to her, and a third plopped himself down on the seat of a nearby rowboat.
King and seven other youngsters were taking part in the Tidewater Wooden Boat Workshop, a program that teaches life skills through boat building.
While the kids didn't build the three boats being used Friday by themselves, they had worked on them during the week-long program.
King said she likes rowing and sailing because "it's the old fashioned way to do things." She has also participated in Sail Nauticus, a sailing program that takes place just down the waterway.
"I like being out here in nature and seeing all the creatures," she said.
The workshop was founded in 2014 by Tom Brandl, a retired Marine colonel. The following year, he and volunteers started teaching area youngsters from 12 to 18 how to build boats. Working mostly with kids who are "challenged by unfavorable social, economic or educational conditions," the focus reaches far beyond building a sea-worthy craft.
Nearly 600 youngsters have participated in either the workshop or summer camp. Many have come from partnering organizations like Stop, Teens with a Purpose, the Boys and Girls Club, and Sail Nauticus.
"For a lot of them, this means adventure," Brandl said. "These kids are experiencing something they've never done before. Every now and then, we have a kid who is afraid to get into the boat.
"But once they do it, they can't wait to do it again."
Brandl said the most satisfying moments are when parents thank him for teaching their children new experiences.
"It's usually a mom who says it means so much to her to get her son away from the video game or television," he said.
In the shop, kids learn every aspect of building a small wooden boat.


Unknowingly they learn math, science, reading blueprints and other skills that will stick with them for life.
While Shon Taylor wants to get into the computer science field, working on the boats has taught him there are many other opportunities in life.
"I could see boating being something to fall back on," said the Deep Creek 17 year old as he prepared for his first time on a sailboat. "I've learned a lot of stuff about boats so far. I really like steam bending the wood.
"But I'm really excited about getting out on the water."
As two youngsters sailed off in the distance, a safety boat circled the area, but with a slight breeze and everybody fitted with life jackets, the chances of a mishap were slim.
"Safety is first and foremost," Bindl said.
As a pair of ospreys soared overhead and fish jumped near reeds on the shoreline, another group of kids prepared to take their turns in the boats.
Volunteer Jay O'Brien marveled at their enthusiasm.
"It's so much fun to help and see how these youngsters light up when they learn something new," he said. "We've had some that didn't engage very much at first, and now they are looking you in the eye and acting so proud of what they accomplished."