Hands On Deck is a 501(c)3 youth mentoring and education non-profit organization formed in 2016 that utilizes woodworking, wooden boat building, and boating to promote creativity, community, and craftsmanship.
The Work We Do
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Elementary Mechanical Skills
EMS was developed as a foundation for mentoring young children in the area of mechanical skills. Class values include: slowing down, craftsmanship, group problem solving, developing self worth, respect for tools, conservation of materials, and serving others.
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Industrial Arts
Immersive Technical Education In woodworking for ages eleven years and older. In these classes we introduce complex mechanics, industrial power tools, and structural design. We teach industrial arts on location at local schools, and here at our own shop after school.
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Rowing
John Seaman is on our board of directors and is also our rowing coordinator. We have now completed two CLC Team Dory rowboats and we look forward to some friendly competition this summer
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Apprenticeships
Paid apprenticeships answer the question "What’s Next For My Child?" at HOD. We are training the next generation of skilled leaders for the trades, and the top of our programming pyramid is giving a young adult the opportunity to showcase what they have learned, and provide income back into the organization with a paid apprenticeship.
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Laser Cut Kits Production
Modern production technology like laser cutting offers us an opportunity to accurately produce templates and kits for our classes and for sale those who cannot attend our classes or just want our projects and templates to use at home.
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Estuary Connection Opportunities
Since 2021 we have hosted hundreds of free boat rides for thousands of individuals most of whom would not have access to the water without our program. Thank you to the David L. and Rita E. Nelson Family Fund for underwriting this program for the past three years.
HANDS ON DECK IS PARTIALLY SUPPORTED BY