Norwood District High School's

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Program's Participants
Restore a Cedar Strip Boat and contruct a (new) cedar strip canoe!

   The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award “Young Canadians’ Challenge” is an exciting self-development Program available to all young people, equipping them with life skills to make a difference to themselves, their communities and their country. Brought to Canada in 1963, the Award program is open to all young Canadians between the ages of 14 - 25.
There are three levels of the Award in which you can participate - Bronze, Silver and Gold. To gain an Award, four Sections must be tackled in a specific period of time.
The four sections are Service, Adventurous Journey, Skills and Physical Recreation.
Norwood High School has students enrolled in the program who are at the “Skills” level of the award. John was approached to help them build a boat.
   John suggested instead a restoration project on a cedar strip boat, which is very labour intensive, and could lend itself to many    hands involved at once. John Petrosoniak and Mary Jane Dundas generously offered to donate their 1950’s cedar strip to the    cause.
 

2008 - The Boat:

Restoration Begins:

The Mentor (John), and teacher (Mark Mann)

The Particpants

Working diligently throughout the fall, and early winter of 2008, the students have come a long way with completion of necessary rib replacement, stripping the bottom and applying a West System Epoxy bottom. They chose a traditional red bottom paint, and so far have applied 6 coats of varnish!

They have chosen a very appropriate name to christen their vessel: Her Majesty, naming her after Queen Elizabeth II.

Coming together .... the boat is displayed at the Trent-Severn Boat Club's Guys in their Garages Tour of 2007.

The boys are getting closer to completion - Spring of 2008 ... shown here are the 4 main students who diligently stuck with the project, as well as teacher, Mark Mann, and mentor/boat guru, John Hendren.

Her first 'public debut', on display at Lansdowne Place mall, in conjunction with National Boat Safety Week, May 2008

Finished before the school year ends, it was only fitting for the gang to enjoy Her Majesty for the boating season before putting her up for sale in order to put the proceeds back into this wonderful program. Plans are already underway for the construction of a new vessel (tbd) during the next School year.

For sale

Bow shot on Stoney Lake - Aug. 08

Eric at the helm       

Proudly displaying their 'Duke' banner atop the Peterborough Lift Lock - Aug. 14/08

Hastings Boat Show - Aug. 15/08

Boat sold with funds allocated to the next project:

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2010 - The Canoe:

The builders enjoying their outstanding efforts on a class excursion to Killarney in June 2011:

The canoe was raffled off at the end of June, and proceeds put back into the program.

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John's Little Boat Shop
1195 Meadowview Rd.   R. R. # 2
Omemee, Ont.       K0L 2W0
705.799.2222
toll free 1.877.750.2189
email: antiqueboats@hughes.net

Maintained by The Hendrens