Nestled in a tranquil bay near a chain of beautiful islands is a school like no other in the Midwest. It's a school where people can go and learn the art and craft of wooden boat building. The
Great Lakes Boat Building School is located on Cedarville Bay, in the off-the-beaten-path town of Cedarville in the eastern U.P. It attracts students and teachers from the Midwest and other parts of the country, and contributes to the economic well-being of this tiny community, while furthering a long tradition of wooden boat appreciation in this area.
"The school is a tremendous asset to this area, not only from an economic standpoint, but also as a tourist attraction," says Amy Polk, coordinator for the
Les Cheneaux Islands Area Tourist Association.
The fact that a boat building school was started in this small community is no coincidence. The temperate waters and the chain of beautiful islands, known as Les Cheneaux, have made this a hub for the seafaring. The area is also home to the annual
Antique Wooden Boat Show, now in its 34th year, which is hosted in nearby Hessel.
The school is an obvious good fit for the area because of the boating heritage. However, it was the intent of the founders and original board members to open an entity that would be an engine for economic growth in this community, which relies on mostly tourism and a limestone quarry not far up the road for jobs.
"The school has made it its goal from day one to improve economic conditions in the area by attracting instructors and students who live in the community, rent or purchase lodging, and purchase goods from local businesses," says Polk.
The school has room for about 15 students to attend full-time classes during the regular school year, and others take part in summer workshops held at the facility. The school also employs two full-time instructors. There is a big spin-off for area businesses as friends, family, and tourists are attracted to the school and area. The students, faculty, and visitors shop in the area and also occupy resorts that might otherwise post vacancy signs, particularly during the off season.
Most, but not all of the students come from the Midwest to attend the school, according to Bonnie Mikelson, a spokesperson for the facility. One student hailed from New Jersey. Although she owned and operated a marina all her life, she never had a chance to fulfill a lifelong dream, which was to build a boat.
Jessie Hadley, owner of
Woods & Water Ecotours in Hessel, is one of several business owners who says the boat building school has been a boost to the community. She says students and instructors come in to rent kayaks, snowshoes and the like for a little after-hours enjoyment of the surrounding woods and water. She says it's kind of a two way street: she benefits from the people who walk through her door and rent equipment or take a tour, and she also provides a service for the men and women staying in the area who are looking for something to do in a town that lacks many of the big city attractions.
If you're into boats at all, the school is a must-see destination, as is this area, which seems to live, eat and breathe life on the water. The school consists of a two-story structure with spacious rooms for woodworking, lofting, classrooms, and a library. A dock juts out into the bay, used for inbound and outbound boat traffic, and to launch the latest seaworthy construction.
"The school has graciously offered tours to visitors, and people are fascinated by the school and the operation," says Polk. "Most any time of the year, a person can go there and see boats in various stages of construction and refinishing projects underway."
Students can enroll in a full-time program that leads to an associate degree, or take summer workshop courses--"a learning vacation"--to build their own canoe or kayak, or simply learn more about the craft, says Mikelson. The first year of instruction teaches students how to use the various tools used for wooden boat building. At the end of the first year, these students are qualified to go into business or work on their own as a woodworker or cabinet maker.
During the second year they'll start constructing a wooden boat, and learn all aspects of lofting, joinery and other skills needed to build a boat. At the end of this tutelage with a licensed instructor they'll be qualified to go to work in one of the many boatyards in the country or open their own business. In fact, this past summer, two of the recent grads were hired by Mertaugh's Boat Works of Hessel for a special project restoring a vessel.
Mikelson said that the impact of the boat building school on the community was apparent during a recent graduation. Students, visitors, staff, and members of the community turned out for a heartfelt send off for the future wooden boat builders.
"You could feel a tremendous camaraderie between the students, staff and community," says Mikelson.
Neil Moran is a freelance copywriter and author of three books on gardening. You can visit his website.