Life Matters, Mess About in Boats..

Last Friday we attended the first event sponsored by the Halton Regional Police entitled Life Matters. This is in response to a number of youth suicides in Halton over the past year or two. The intent of the event is to let kids know about organizations where they can get involved in an alternative activity. As a result of our long involvement with the Ministry of Justice, Kids & Classics was invited to create an active display of what might be expected if they wish to volunteer in the boatshop.

Scott does a trailer bearing

Anthony sorts engines to go

Bernie cuts out paddle blanks

 The team decided that only a demonstration of all major aspects of shop activity would convey all the possibilities available for alternative learning - which meant we had to create a lot of exercises for our outing to be useful. The volunteers created the following hands-on activity centres: woodworking tools making a miniature paddle, steam bending a loop of ash, repairing and starting an outboard motor and rigging a sailboat.

raceboats, canoes and rowboats

weather prevented rigging the Lightning

our 17' Shepherd got looks

steambox and George's canoe

 Drizzely weather prevented rigging the Lightning but everything else went off as planned.

planing a paddle to shape

George makes a magic gesture

Bernie and spokeshave

Bernie coaches shaving paddles

only one spokeshave - so many paddles

replacing a waterpump with Glen

 

 

Who'd ever thought that a spoke-shave would be a hit of the show! We only had one and it was in high demand once tested. Half a dozen young people signed up to visit the boatshop and continue their projects...a very successful outing for your team!

Roni organized this new outing and registered the new volunteers

 - congratulations!