My Ocean Workshop
What: Let’s build a beautiful wooden sailboat! It’s a big project, and this is where it begins. Students will learn to interpret a naval architect’s lines and gain hands-on experience with shop tools and equipment while crafting a half-hull model—a tool used by builders and architects. Next, they will translate the model into a scale rendering and, ultimately, into a full-size layout that will guide our build next fall.
Where: Swell’s Boat Shop in Germantown – 5212 Pulaski Ave. 19144
When: April 28 to June 14, plus an optional 2-week summer session June 16-27. Students can attend flexible open sessions on select weekdays, weekends, and half-days in late June.
Who: Ten participants, ages 13–18. No experience necessary.
Why: For the joy of creating something real and beautiful.
Cost: $35 per attended session ($40 per half-day in June). Transportation available.
What: Let’s build a beautiful wooden sailboat! It’s a big project, and this is where it begins. Students will learn to interpret a naval architect’s lines and gain hands-on experience with shop tools and equipment while crafting a half-hull model—a tool used by builders and architects. Next, they will translate the model into a scale rendering and, ultimately, into a full-size layout that will guide our build next fall.
Where: Swell’s Boat Shop in Germantown – 5212 Pulaski Ave. 19144
When: April 28 to June 14, plus an optional 2-week summer session June 16-27. Students can attend flexible open sessions on select weekdays, weekends, and half-days in late June.
Who: Ten participants, ages 13–18. No experience necessary.
Why: For the joy of creating something real and beautiful.
Cost: $35 per attended session ($40 per half-day in June). Transportation available.
What: Let’s build a beautiful wooden sailboat! It’s a big project, and this is where it begins. Students will learn to interpret a naval architect’s lines and gain hands-on experience with shop tools and equipment while crafting a half-hull model—a tool used by builders and architects. Next, they will translate the model into a scale rendering and, ultimately, into a full-size layout that will guide our build next fall.
Where: Swell’s Boat Shop in Germantown – 5212 Pulaski Ave. 19144
When: April 28 to June 14, plus an optional 2-week summer session June 16-27. Students can attend flexible open sessions on select weekdays, weekends, and half-days in late June.
Who: Ten participants, ages 13–18. No experience necessary.
Why: For the joy of creating something real and beautiful.
Cost: $35 per attended session ($40 per half-day in June). Transportation available.
Project Description
My Ocean Workshop is a creative hub for high school youth—a dynamic third space that complements home and school, where students are surrounded by inspired peers and mentors. Life can be busy and schedules chaotic for youth – so we’ve created a model where each student can choose to attend during hours we are open, and pay only for the time they participate.
Building Quoddy Light
The start of any build is filled with excitement and anticipation, and we couldn’t be more thrilled about this one. Over a 25-year span, our director has built a half-dozen boats to the plans of naval architect Antonio Dias. Now, we have the rare opportunity to construct a truly special Dias design: Quoddy Light, a 16-foot Downeast Maine Peapod, the type once used by lighthouse keepers to reach their craggy outposts.
WHEN & HOW IT WORKS:
Students schedule their sessions using our online calendar and pay the per day cost to attend.
These are open hours—attend as much or as little as you’d like. No requirement to come to every session!
Transportation available through our contracted partner HopSkipDrive at additional cost.
Saturday pizza night cost shared by all.
Swell policy requires a minimum of two students during any program session.
Available Hours:
Orientation Week (April 28 – May 4):
Regular Program (May 5 – June 14):
Monday & Wednesday: Available 1–7 PM
Saturday: 5–8 PM (pizza/work/social night)
Half-Day Optional Sessions Available (June 16–20 & June 23–27):
Choose: 9 AM – 12 PM or 1–4 PM
Join us when it works for you!