Building Boats,
Nurturing Lives,
Helping Others
“We come to the boat shop as strangers, we leave as family.”
— Maverick Aggson | 2024 Boat Shop Apprentice
Apprenticeship Program
Our program offers a chance to
pause, reflect, and reset
amidst life’s challenges.
Whether you’re seeking a new direction in the trades, navigating life changes, recovering from loss, transitioning into retirement, or simply evaluating your path, The Carpenter’s Boat Shop provides a supportive environment for learning and growth. Through the care we put into boatbuilding, we aim to cultivate greater understanding and compassion for ourselves and others—building better individuals and stronger communities.
Community is at the heart of everything we do. By living, working, and serving together, apprentices experience the impact they can have within our shared environment and beyond.
The Carpenter’s Boat Shop offers a 9-month, tuition-free apprenticeship from mid-March through mid-November, providing a unique opportunity for personal growth through hands-on boatbuilding, community living, and service. Participants receive on-campus room and board with the understanding that they will engage fully in all aspects of the program—building boats, preparing meals, and contributing to campus chores. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, age 18 and older, with no prior experience required. Apprentices are asked to not store or consume alcohol or drugs on campus throughout the duration of the apprenticeship.
We are no longer accepting applications for The 2026 Apprenticeship program.
Applications for 2027: January 1, 2026
Application Deadline: August 31, 2026
Interview Process: September & October
Notice of Application Status: November 15th, 2026
This immersive program not only teaches valuable craftsmanship but also encourages deeper connection, service, and self-discovery. If you’re ready to build, grow, and be part of a vibrant community, we invite you to apply!
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Work & Living Space +
Two housing units on campus, providing comfortable accommodations for apprentices and staff.
The Red Farm House is a renovated farmhouse featuring two staff apartments on either side of the main building. At the heart of the Red Farm House, you’ll find the campus kitchen, a small library and sitting area, and four dorm rooms for apprentices.
The White Farm House, located just across the street, is a historic farm house with dorm space for up to six apprentices. It also includes a shared kitchen, a sitting area for relaxing, and an upstairs apartment for staff.
Both houses provide welcoming spaces for living, learning, and building community throughout the program.
Our Community Table +
As a community, we come together daily to share meals, with staff and apprentices gathering for most of them. These meals are prepared by apprentices under the guidance of our campus cook, and we’re happy to accommodate most dietary restrictions. Additionally, we also pause at 10:00 AM each day for tea time—a cherished tradition where members of our broader community often join us, fostering connection and camaraderie.
Our Campus +
Nestled in Pemaquid, Maine, our campus offers a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature. We are adjacent to the Crooked Farm Preserve, with the Pemaquid River just a 5-minute walk from our main workshop. Kayaks and canoes are also available for apprentices to enjoy. Explore the walking trails that wind through our property and the preserve, or take a dip in Boyd’s Pond for freshwater swimming or Pemaquid Falls Town Landing for saltwater swimming.
Our campus includes three woodworking shops and several outdoor workspaces, along with a fire pit for gatherings. We also have a community garden where we grow vegetables for our apprenticeship program and broader community.
What You’ll Experience
Over the course of the program, apprentices will:
- Learn basic power and hand tool skills
- Build numerous boats and participate in multiple restoration projects
- Engage in monthly service projects and field trips exploring Maine’s maritime culture and natural beauty
- Help maintain our campus
- Embark on a multi-day sailing expedition
- Participate in an Island Solo, where you are dropped of on an island for 3 days to reflect
- Raise and harvest chickens and pick and press apples in the fall
The Boat Shop and the apprenticeship experience are supported by the sale of boats built by apprentices and by the gifts of many generous donors.
The Boat Shop also provides care for a regular clientele of boats, offering storage and maintenance services, and some repairs.
“A space dedicated to being creative in a community of other creatives feels so magical.
I will forever cherish my time at the Boat Shop.”
— Former Artist In Residence
Artist in Residence Program
The Carpenter’s Boat Shop offers a unique opportunity for artists to live, work, and immerse themselves in our vibrant community. The residency runs for two weeks during May, June, August and September. Our Artist Residency Program supports the arts, fosters creativity, and expands access to our campus, inviting artists of various disciplines to join us for varying durations throughout the year. Artists in residence will be welcomed into our community, sharing meals, experiences, and their craft with our staff and apprentices. At the end of each residency, we host a gathering to showcase the artist’s work and celebrate their time at The Boat Shop. Artists also contribute to the residency in meaningful ways, based on their skills and the needs of the community.
Application Deadline: January 20, 2027
Notification of Decision: March 1, 2027
Work and Living Spaces
Artists will work in the Barn Chapel, a beautiful open-concept workspace, complete with tables, chairs, ample lighting, and even a piano. Artists will live in the Cozy Cabin, a small cabin in our field. This space includes a twin bed, sofa chair, wardrobe, and desk. There is no electricity, Wi-Fi, or running water. A bathroom is located just a short walk away in one of our nearby farmhouses, where artists also have access to additional bathrooms, Wi-Fi and laundry facilities.
Our Community Table +
As a community, we come together daily to share meals, with staff and apprentices gathering for most of them. These meals are prepared by apprentices under the guidance of our campus cook, and we’re happy to accommodate most dietary restrictions. Artists are welcome to share in these meals or prepare their own. Additionally, we also pause at 10:00 AM each day for tea time—a cherished tradition where members of our broader community often join us, fostering connection and camaraderie.
Our Campus +
Nestled in Pemaquid, Maine, our campus offers a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature. We are adjacent to the Crooked Farm Preserve, with the Pemaquid River just a 5-minute walk from our main workshop. Kayaks and canoes are available for artists to enjoy. Explore the walking trails that wind through our property and the preserve, or take a dip in Boyd’s Pond for freshwater swimming or Pemaquid Falls Town Landing for saltwater swimming.
Our campus includes three woodworking shops and several outdoor workspaces, along with a fire pit for gatherings. We also have a community garden where we grow vegetables for our apprenticeship program and broader community.
Artist Contributions +
Each artist’s contribution to The Boat Shop community looks similar. We ask for the artist to teach a workshop and to host an art show at the end of residency. The workshop is offered to our staff and apprentices, while the art show is offered to the broader community.