Volunteer with youth

Become a volunteer youth instructor: We recruit community members who have experience working with youth to volunteer as a mentor / assistant in our apprenticeship program. Our Volunteer Instructors work with an apprenticeship cohort one day a week, assisting the head instructor in answering questions for the youth, moving along the building process, and serving as another adult mentor for the youth we work with. If you are interested in working with youth in our shop, email volunteer@urbanboatbuilders.org for more information. Make sure to read up on our Apprenticeship Program and the relevant dates and times before sending an inquiry.

We are currently not taking on new volunteer instructors at this time.

Table an outreach event: Urban Boatbuilders attends multiple events each year to increase our visibility in our communities and to spread the word about the work that we do. These events include but are not limited to the Minneapolis Boat Show, the American Craft Council Show, and the Minnesota State Fair.

These events are made possible by the many volunteers that sign up for a 2 – 3 hour shift at the Urban Boatbuilders table, talking with visitors, and sharing details of our programs. This is a chance to spend time with youth apprentices and Urban Boatbuilders staff. In addition, many outreach events include a hands-on educational aspect, such as lashing or paddle carving, which require teaching help.

If you’re interested in serving as an advocate for Urban Boatbuilders at these events, email volunteer@urbanboatbuilders.org and ask to be placed on our volunteer list.

Let’s Connect

Interested in our programs, boats, volunteering, or supporting youth in other creative ways?