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 three 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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Two housing units on campus, providing comfortable accommodations for apprentices and staff.

The Red House is a renovated farmhouse featuring two staff apartments on either side of the main building. At the heart of the Red House, you’ll find the campus kitchen, a small library and sitting area, and four dorm rooms for apprentices.

The White House, located just across the street, is a historic farmhouse with dorm space for up to seven 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.

As a community, we share three meals a day, with staff and apprentices gathering at most meals. Artists are welcome to join us for these meals, which are prepared daily by apprentices under the guidance of our Campus Manager. We also take a break every day at 10:00 AM for tea time, where members of our greater community often join us. Artists are welcome to share in these meals or prepare their own, and we are happy to accommodate most dietary needs.
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. Soon, we will have a community garden where we’ll 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.”

— Name Here | Former Artist In Residence

Artist in Residence Program

The Carpenter’s Boat Shop offers a unique opportunity for artists to live, work, and immerse themselves in our vibrant community. Our Artist Residency Program supports the arts, fosters creativity, and expands access to our campus, inviting artists of various disciplines to join us for varying durations throughout the year. Artists in residence will be welcomed into our community, sharing meals, experiences, and their craft with our staff and apprentices. At the end of each residency, we host a gathering to showcase the artist’s work and celebrate their time at The Boat Shop. Artists also contribute to the residency in meaningful ways, based on their skills and the needs of the community.
Work and Living Space: The Barn Chapel +
Artists will live and work in the Barn Chapel, a beautiful multi-level, open-concept space. The second floor serves as the artist’s workspace, complete with tables, chairs, ample lighting, and even a piano. The third floor is a cozy living space heated by a wood-burning stove, with firewood provided by The Boat Shop. This space includes a queen bed, a small fridge, a coffee maker, a hot water kettle, and electricity, but no running water. A bathroom is located just a short walk away in one of our nearby farmhouses, where artists also have access to additional bathrooms and laundry facilities.
As a community, we share three meals a day, with staff and apprentices gathering at most meals. Artists are welcome to join us for these meals, which are prepared daily by apprentices under the guidance of our Campus Manager. We also take a break every day at 10:00 AM for tea time, where members of our greater community often join us. Artists are welcome to share in these meals or prepare their own, and we are happy to accommodate most dietary needs.
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. Soon, we will have a community garden where we’ll grow vegetables for our apprenticeship program and broader community.
Each artist’s contribution to The Boat Shop community will vary. Some may choose to host workshops or lectures, while others might create a piece of art specifically for The Boat Shop. We collaborate with each artist to determine how they can best share their talents with the community, ensuring a mutually enriching experience.
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