Building Boats,
Nurturing Lives,
Helping Others
“We come to the boat shop as strangers, we leave as family.”
— Maverick Aggson | 2024 Boat Shop Apprentice
Apprenticeship Program
The Carpenter’s Boat Shop offers a 9-month, tuition-free apprenticeship from mid-March through mid-November, providing a unique opportunity for personal growth through hands-on boatbuilding, community living, and service. Participants receive on-campus room and board with the understanding that they will engage fully in all aspects of the program—building boats, preparing meals, and contributing to campus chores. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, age 18 and older, with no prior experience required.
Our program offers a chance to
pause, reflect, and reset
amidst life’s challenges.
Whether you’re seeking a new direction in the trades, navigating life changes, recovering from loss, transitioning into retirement, or simply evaluating your path, The Carpenter’s Boat Shop provides a supportive environment for learning and growth. Through the care we put into boatbuilding, we aim to cultivate greater understanding and compassion for ourselves and others—building better individuals and stronger communities.
Community is at the heart of everything we do. By living, working, and serving together, apprentices experience the impact they can have within our shared environment and beyond.
This immersive program not only teaches valuable craftsmanship but also encourages deeper connection, service, and self-discovery. If you’re ready to build, grow, and be part of a vibrant community, we invite you to apply!
What You’ll Experience
Over the course of the program, apprentices will:
- Learn basic power and hand tool skills
- Build numerous boats and participate in multiple restoration projects
- Engage in monthly service projects and field trips exploring Maine’s maritime culture and natural beauty
- Participate in weekly seamanship classes and embark on a multi-day sailing expedition
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Work & Living Space +
Two housing units on campus, providing comfortable accommodations for apprentices and staff.
The Red Farm House is a renovated farmhouse featuring two staff apartments on either side of the main building. At the heart of the Red Farm House, you’ll find the campus kitchen, a small library and sitting area, and four dorm rooms for apprentices.
The White Farm House, located just across the street, is a historic farm house with dorm space for up to six apprentices. It also includes a shared kitchen, a sitting area for relaxing, and an upstairs apartment for staff.
Both houses provide welcoming spaces for living, learning, and building community throughout the program.
Our Community Table +
As a community, we come together daily to share meals, with staff and apprentices gathering for most of them. These meals are prepared by apprentices under the guidance of our campus cook, and we’re happy to accommodate most dietary restrictions. Additionally, we also pause at 10:00 AM each day for tea time—a cherished tradition where members of our broader community often join us, fostering connection and camaraderie.
Our Campus +
Nestled in Pemaquid, Maine, our campus offers a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature. We are adjacent to the Crooked Farm Preserve, with the Pemaquid River just a 5-minute walk from our main workshop. Kayaks and canoes are also available for apprentices to enjoy. Explore the walking trails that wind through our property and the preserve, or take a dip in Boyd’s Pond for freshwater swimming or Pemaquid Falls Town Landing for saltwater swimming.
Our campus includes three woodworking shops and several outdoor workspaces, along with a fire pit for gatherings. We also have a community garden where we grow vegetables for our apprenticeship program and broader community.
The Boat Shop and the apprenticeship experience are supported by the sale of boats built by apprentices and by the gifts of many generous donors.
The Boat Shop also provides care for a regular clientele of boats, offering storage and maintenance services, and some repairs.
“A space dedicated to being creative in a community of other creatives feels so magical. I will forever cherish my time at the Boat Shop.”
Artist in Residence Program
Work and Living Space: The Barn Chapel +
Our Community Table +
As a community, we come together daily to share meals, with staff and apprentices gathering for most of them. These meals are prepared by apprentices under the guidance of our campus cook, and we’re happy to accommodate most dietary restrictions. Artists are welcome to share in these meals or prepare their own. Additionally, we also pause at 10:00 AM each day for tea time—a cherished tradition where members of our broader community often join us, fostering connection and camaraderie.
Our Campus +
Nestled in Pemaquid, Maine, our campus offers a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature. We are adjacent to the Crooked Farm Preserve, with the Pemaquid River just a 5-minute walk from our main workshop. Kayaks and canoes are available for artists to enjoy. Explore the walking trails that wind through our property and the preserve, or take a dip in Boyd’s Pond for freshwater swimming or Pemaquid Falls Town Landing for saltwater swimming.
Our campus includes three woodworking shops and several outdoor workspaces, along with a fire pit for gatherings. We also have a community garden where we grow vegetables for our apprenticeship program and broader community.