The only thing that may be more fun than getting out on Lake Winnipesaukee is the opportunity to experience that water in the very craft you built. “It was a lot of fun,” said Evelyn Hafner, who built a 15-and-a-half foot canoe last summer with her dad, Chris, in New Hampshire Boat Museum’s Youth, Family, and Adult Boat Building program. “It was a great bonding experience, and I made it with my dad.”
For Chris, his boat-building experience with his daughter took him back to his own childhood in a similar program in nearby Milton, NH. “I started to build a boat in that program, but I was never able to finish it,” he said. “To be able to do this with my daughter was pretty spectacular.”
A sophomore at Brewster Academy, Evelyn said she also enjoyed getting to know other program participants. “You also get to know the volunteers—it was kind of sad to say goodbye,” she added.
Looking back at the photos of their canoe build, Evelyn said it is “amazing” to see the progress they made in such a short period of time. “On day one, you start with two boards,” she recalled. “It was hard to imagine it turning into a canoe.”
Chris agreed and cited the support of volunteers as instrumental to their success. “It’s amazing what you can achieve with support and knowledge, and now we get to use the canoe for the rest of our lives,” he said. “To be able to come out with something you made with your own hands—not a lot of people do things like this anymore.”
For Martha Cummings, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Boat Museum (NHBM), the Hafners’ experience reflects key aspects of their mission. “Our Youth, Family, and Adult Boat Building program provides participants with the chance to experience the thrill and beauty of boating on New Hampshire’s lakes,” she said. “It also sheds light on New Hampshire’s diverse boating culture—boating is for everyone.”
The program is also unique in that prior building experience is not required. “Our volunteers will guide you every step of the way,” added Cummings, who noted the program also provides participants with transferable life skills. “Aside from technical building skills, participants also walk away with confidence in their abilities, which is so important.”
According to Allison Hart, who serves on NHBM’s Board of Trustees, what is equally important is that their boat building program is available to anyone regardless of financial circumstances. “We have a variety of private and institutional donors who remain committed to supporting our educational and on-the-water experiences,” she said.
For Evelyn, her experience in the program is unforgettable. “I would recommend anyone to do it,” she added. “It is an amazing experience.”
The next Youth, Family, and Adult Boat Building session will be held from July 13 to July 21 at the NHBM Wolfeboro Campus. Available boat kits include a canoe, Bevin’s Skiff, paddleboard, Wood Duck Kayak, and Pee Wee.
Click here to register for the boat building program.
About NHBM
Founded in 1992 by antique and classic boating enthusiasts, NHBM offers dynamic exhibits and engaging events and programs tailored to the diverse boating lifestyles and values of people of all ages. NHBM exhibits, events and programming covers everything from boat charters, boat trips and race boats to canoes, wooden boats, outboard motors, sculling, sailing sunfish, and Lyman and Johnson motors. Some of our hands-on programs take place on Lake Winnipesaukee. NHBM is sponsored in part by Belletetes, Eastern Propane & Oil, Epoxy Floor New England, Goodhue Boat Company, Kingswood Press and Design Studio, KW Coastal, Lake and Mountains, North Water Marine, and Taylor Community.