Urban Boatbuilders

07/29/2026

Our Program with Metro State University recently wrapped up! Program participants hand built and customized their own . Creativity was ample this program, and we are always impressed by the plethora of different longboard art! Special thanks to Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center
for letting us use their space again this year! 🛹🎨🖌️

07/17/2026

Today is , and what a perfect time to spotlight the coolest tattoo we’ve seen, tatted on one of the coolest people we know, apprenticeship alum Erwin!

07/13/2026

Congratulations to the small but mighty crew from our program with Exploration High School for building their Urban Traveler canoe! The crew celebrated launching the UT on a relaxing paddle. 🚣

(The canoe on the left of the first picture is the UT they built!)

07/01/2026

Give a warm Urban Boatbuilders welcome to Soren Gjesfjeld, our Community Impact and Evaluation for the summer!

Soren (he/him) is a student at St. Olaf College, where he is a double major in Philosophy and Political Science. He decided to intern at Urban Boatbuilders to gain a better understanding of how non-profits operate, but also to help the Minneapolis-St. Paul Area more broadly. Soren especially appreciates the experiential learning aspect of Urban Boatbuilders' programs. Outside of work, Soren enjoys reading, cooking, traveling, and writing trivia questions.

07/01/2026

Behind every boat built in our shop is a community that believes in youth potential.

Your support powers our paid apprenticeships and hands-on woodworking programs, offering young people a space to develop concrete skills, grow in confidence, and unlock new career paths. We can't do this vital work alone.

Join our community of supporters today at www.urbanboatbuilders.org!

06/27/2026

In our shop, learning happens one step at a time: you pick up a tool, sand a piece of wood, work alongside a team, and solve problems as they arise. Slowly, you start to see what you’re capable of.

Through our paid Apprenticeship Program, participants build boats while developing technical skills, confidence, and real-world work experience that can carry over into future jobs, school, and life.

Fall applications will open in August. To learn more, visit www.urbanboatbuilders.org/apprenticeship-program

06/25/2026

Congratulations to the Class of Spring 2026! 🎉

Together over three months, 24 apprentices built two Wilderness Traveler featuring yoke and thwart designs inspired by popular characters. (Do you see your favorite cartoon?) We capped this cohort with a boat launch at Como Lake in perfect paddling weather. 🚣🌞😎

06/24/2026

📣New class dates have been added!

This summer, we’re opening up the shop for a couple of hands-on designed for beginners and experienced makers alike. Whether you’ve always wanted to try woodworking or you’re just looking for a creative way to spend a weekend, we’d love to have you join us.

🛶 Make Your Own Wooden Canoe Paddle: July 16 & 18; August 6 & 8; September 10 & 12
🪵Craft Your Own Cutting Board: July 11; August 15; September 19

You’ll leave with new skills, a finished project, and a chance to experience the kind of hands-on learning that happens every day at Urban Boatbuilders.

Find class details at the link below:

Urban Boatbuilders

06/16/2026

Tomorrow is the first day of American Craft Fest - St Paul! We've spent our Friday setting up at Union Depot and catching up with our many vendors. If you haven't registered for your free tickets, there's a link in bio. And check out how you can get early access Saturday morning. We can't wait to see you!