Dagsboro kids build boats, learn new skills in Lewes

The Lewes Historical Society Wooden Boat Build Volunteer Crew hosted 10 campers from Dagsboro and Tyler's Camp in the second annual summer Boat Building Event. Campers worked with hand tools to construct 12-foot long operational Bevin Skiffs with the help of skilled volunteers with more than 25 years of experience.

“For many, this is the first time they’ve ever worked with tools,” said J. Marcos Salaverria, director of education at the Lewes Historical Society. “Or the first time that they’ve ever been on the water.”

After days of hard work turning a pile of wood into a buoyant vessel, the kids launched the boats into the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal on Aug. 10. Though no boats sank, some were swept away by the outgoing current and had to be towed back to dock. 

This was the second summer the historical society worked with Tyler’s Camp. Combined with a Father’s Day weekend boat building event that was held for many years, the boat building experience has produced 55 vessels in nine years.

It will continue in the spring with students from the Jefferson School in Georgetown.  

For more information, contact Salaverria at marcos@historiclewes.org or 302-645-7670.