Program Date

August 29-September 3, 2012

Basketry Workshop

Birding Workshops

Build Your Own SOF Kayak Workshop

Eastern Shore Kayaking and Cycling Adventure

Digital Nature Photography Weekend Workshop

Digital Nature Photography One-day Workshop

Family Camps and Programs

Native American Tools and Flint Knapping Workshop

Nature Journaling Workshop

Road Scholar Programs

Winter Birding Colloquium

Click on a program name for dates and details.

Have you been captivated by the historical roots of the kayak? Are you inquisitive enough to want to build one of your own?

  This workshop is designed for individuals with an interest in creating a seaworthy craft with their own hands. Skin-on-frame kayak building is one of the most exciting, skill enhancing and satisfying projects you can undertake. This workshop will teach you essential skills needed to build almost any skin-on-frame kayak. This workshop is perfect for beginner boat builders. It's not complicated, and you will learn the skills needed as you go. Building a skin-on-frame kayak through this workshop is enjoyable, relaxing, and much more cost effective than purchasing all the tools necessary to build it at your home. To buy a comparable weight composite kayak would cost between three and four thousand dollars. In addition, this 7 day boat building vacation allows you time to relax and explore the natural beauty of the remote Eastern Shore of VA.
  You will spend the week assembling your boat. A week of enjoyable work mixed in with kayaking adventures. Each day will have a workshop portion where you will work at assembling your kayak. The day will also include a field trip to a local site or a kayak paddle. Paddle with MSC ecologists/biologists through salt marsh ecosystems, over eel grass beds and up the Pocomoke River and coastal creeks of the Chesapeake and Chincoteague Bays.
  All of the wooden parts of your kayak will be precut by our skilled instructor. Kayaks will be constructed of Western Red Cedar and covered with 9 ounce Dacron skin to create a strong outer skin. Participants can choose to build one of two, skin-on-frame kayak designs. They can select the 15 ft Ravenswood or the 17ft Vardo. Kayak completion will take from four to five days and will be taught through a series of guided solo and group activities. The group will start by preparing the components of the kayaks and assembling the frames. After that, they will each work on their own kayaks, completing the fitting out and skinning in pairs or as a solo activity under the guidance of our expert instructor. In addition, every student will craft their own Greenland paddle. Students are encouraged to bring a partner to assist them as this course can be a great family project. Participants should be 12 years or older. Once the kayaks are completed, the last days of workshop will be spent paddling on Chincoteague Bay in your newly constructed kayak.

  When you build a skin-on-frame kayak you are recreating a piece of history and making a personal story. Building a skin-on-frame kayak will mean more to you than you could ever envision. Making your own kayak, you craft a personal story and history with that boat. This journey of creation will reflect your present and your future, as your own personal ultra light kayak comes into being in your hands. Not only will you learn traditional building techniques, but you will also gain an understanding of their essential place in Inuit culture. You get a boat you can be proud of, a kayak you will love, and the knowledge and confidence to build one on your own.

Course Cost

$1575.00 - Course tuition includes 6 nights lodging, all meals, guided kayak tours, field excursions, tools, instruction, materials, a Greenland paddle and choice of a 15ft Ravenswood skin-on-frame kayak or 17ft Vardo skin-on-frame kayak.

$1450.00 - Commuter Cost (includes everything but lodging)

$550.00 - Wingman Option – Bring a partner along to assist in building your kayak and enjoy the shore! The wingman option includes 6 nights lodging, all meals, instruction, tools, guided kayak tours and field excursions.
 
$425.00 - Wingman Commuter Option (includes everything but lodging)

Thanks to Kiliii Yu of Seawolf Kayak & Native Lifeways Center. Video introduces Skin-On-Frame Kayaks, traditional paddles and demonstrates the durability of one kayak by jumping on it. http://www.seawolfkayak.com