How Saron Found Her Confidence

Meet Saron! Saron is a youth instructor who first joined Urban Boatbuilders this past spring after learning about the program at school. Dreaming of becoming an engineer and knowing the STEM skills that come with learning woodworking, she applied for the apprenticeship program. 

“I liked using tools, and I wanted to try something new.”

Since joining the apprenticeship, Saron has discovered her favorite tools (the drill and the block plane), as well as her favorite boatbuilding steps: lashing and, most especially, lacing seats. When Saron was asked by the apprenticeship instructors to become a youth instructor, she was at first skeptical. English is not Saron’s first language, and she was initially concerned about how that might affect her role when it came to teaching tasks and leading lessons. However, the apprenticeship coordinators made sure to help Saron feel confident in herself. 

“They’re so helpful…they explain things to me in an easy way and help me with everything.”

Since stepping into her leadership role, Saron’s favorite part of her job has become “teaching people how to make something for the first time.” 

“The first time I started this program, I thought nobody was gonna talk to me, it would be just work and doing what they tell you to do, but it’s not like that. It's a good place to make friends, to be a good leader, and to learn new things.”

Like many apprentices who are just starting out, Saron never expected she would be able to build a boat one day. Flashforward to now, after three cohorts at Urban Boatbuilders, she finds boatbuilding to be a breeze. 

“My first time, I was wondering ‘how can I do this?’ Now when my brothers ask me ‘how are you making a boat? It seems hard,’ I tell them, ‘It’s not hard, come learn with me!”

In terms of the future, Saron hopes to graduate high school and attend college. Engineering is still one of her top interests, but she’s not sure yet where she’ll land. She knows she has lots of time to figure it out.  Her advice for those just starting out? 

“Dont be afraid, be yourself, and make new friends.”

Support Youth Like Liam this Give to the Max!

As Give to the Max Day approaches, we’re highlighting the voices of the youth who are at the heart of our work. Throughout the week, we’ll be sharing a few of their stories: what they’re learning in the shop, how they’ve grown, and what belonging at Urban Boatbuilders means to them.

Liam is a junior apprentice who first learned about Urban Boatbuilders in his advisory class at school. He was “already interested in doing hands-on work and didn’t know where to start" until he was introduced to the apprenticeship program.

“It was pretty convenient timing.”

Since starting in the fall, Liam, who initially never expected himself to build a boat, has learned several skills, including how to use a drill and woodburning. His favorite step in boatbuilding thus far is lashing, and the step he’s most excited for is skinning.

In addition to the skills, Liam highly values the relationships and trust he’s building in his cohort.

“I like the people here. They have a really nice vibe, and they never show up with any kind of attitude…Urban Boatbuilders is a community where you’re working with people who have the same goals as you, so you're always communicating and teambuilding with each other. It’s fun connecting with people doing this.”

His favorite team-building activity? The apprentices partnered up and were given the challenge to make anything out of wood in a short amount of time. Liam and his partner came up with a panda armed with a sword. (The panda, pictured, did originally have two arms, but one comically fell off.)

“Everyone here likes being hands-on, and they're also doing their own thing. Everybody likes to work with each other. It’s very nice to have people that like the things that you do. In that way, you all have a mutual connection already.”

Meet Bella: Youth Instructor & 30 Hour Boatbuilder

Bella joined Urban Boatbuilders in June 2024 and has since worked herself up to the Youth Instructor level! She will also be one of the talented builders tackling our 30 Hour Boat Build challenge on April 3-4th! Read below for her Builder Q&A!

What drew you to UBB?

I really wanted to learn more about the trades. I’m definitely still at a point where I’m still exploring my job options and figuring out what I want to do. And I also really enjoy the atmosphere of this place.

What’s your favorite UBB memory so far?

Overcoming starting a job and having no idea what I’m doing. I think it’s very easy to feel like everyone else knows what’s going on and you don’t, but that’s not the case…I had never used a handsaw…There were just little things that were new. I really enjoyed learning new things.

Favorite part of boatbuilding?

I really like the hands-on part of making the yokes and thwarts. Not necessarily just the art, but the spokeshaving and sanding and that kind of stuff.

What are you most excited for this upcoming 30-hour boat build?

I’m just really intrigued of how it’s gonna go! I’m kinda nervous, cause all of us are gonna feel the pressure, but I also think it's going to be really fun. We can only do our best, right? So I’m not trying to stress out about it too much. I’m very excited.

What’s your advice for those new to boatbuilding?

I would definitely say go for it, try it, and don’t be afraid to ask questions!

You can watch Bella, in addition to apprentices, volunteers, staff, board and more, race to build a canoe in 30 hours at our shop or on Youtube! More details here!