build a boat

Tomas (aged 12) usually lives in France but has been coming as a resident volunteer (wwoofer) with his family once or twice a year for the past 4 years. He has always been great at getting involved with all things woody - his log splitting skills from a young age have always impressed us!

But this year was different. He came up with his own project. To build a boat. A play sized one. Not tiny. Not huge. But perfectly formed.

As usual, I was so busy running the woods, that I was barely aware of this new creative project going on in the woods. Tomas did not ask for help or tools or materials or adult help. Instead, with great independence, he set about finding what he needed from the woodland and the maker’s workshop. The team up in the workshop loved this project - and were full of admiration for his staying power and concentration. It turns out it takes a long time and a lot of effort to carve a boat from a piece of wood!

When he had finished building his boat with so little fuss and attention, he came to me and he looked pleased and he asked me if he could present his boat to the home-team at our Thursday night dinner gathering. And then the next day, he asked me if he could present it to Friday Club. In English.

The next challenge was to work out what to do with the boat - it was too heavy to take home. So with some encouragement from his Mum, we agreed to put it in the play area next to The Barn - recognising that it would probably get damaged! Yet again, Tomas showed his maturity and let us share the boat with visitors to the woods. It’s still just about intact - and I can’t wait to see what Tomas will do with it next time he comes - or maybe he’ll be on to the next big thing!