Family Boatbuilding

This exciting event brings families and groups together to accomplish the challenging task of building and launching their own 10 foot, real, wooden boat in two days.  It often sounds like an unreachable goal for people who first learn about the program, but once they participate in the event they learn that reaching a goal is one of the most valuable learning lessons they take away from the experience.  Many of the participants have little or no carpentry skills making the experience even more rewarding.

Family Boatbuilding was first introduced to the Key West community in July, 2003 and was hosted by Bone Island Boatworks, LLC.  In 2004 Key Education, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization, was founded and co-sponsors the event with Bone Island Boatworks, LLC.  It is our hope that this joint effort will garner increased community support as well as the ability to offer more scholarships. 

Family Boatbuilding takes place every July at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. The location is ideal for participants, with a concession stand close by, as well as the beach where well deserved rests and swims are taken. 

The event could not be possible without the dedicated crew of volunteers who assist every year and the local and national sponsors who help to financially support the program.  They make it possible for local youth organizations, such as The Boys and Girls Club and Big Brother’s Big Sister’s programs to participate annually on 100% paid scholarships and help provide families in need with partial or full scholarships.

Please contact us for further information on participating or serving as a sponsor for the next event on July 22 & 23, 2006.