Puffin (the Handy Billy) on the pier.

Boat School

Building Boats and Belonging

Boat School, part of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, is located on the Halifax Waterfront. We offer unique, hands-on boat building programs and maritime experiences.

Our primary mission is to serve youth, especially those from underserved communities. These transformative programs go beyond teaching technical and maritime skills; they foster resilience and help youth discover a strong sense of belonging within a supportive environment.

Beyond our core youth focus, Boat School welcomes individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. We create a safe and welcoming space for everyone to build connections and share in maritime heritage skills, including valuable on-the-water experiences.

Boat school logo.

Build Skills, Build Community. Donate to Boat School.

We rely on your support to reach communities across the province with our programming, connecting individuals of all ages with their maritime heritage. Give now to expand our reach and impact.

For more information contact us at [email protected].

A student building the frame of a boat in the boat shed at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.
A student building the frame of a boat in the boat shed at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.
Three wooden boats of different sizes are displayed on wooden cradles on a boardwalk. The largest boat has a cream hull with a teal bottom, the middle one has a cream hull with a blue stripe, and the smallest is cream with a red stripe. Behind them are several small, red-roofed buildings and a large, modern building with dark glass windows. Part of a larger, white ship is visible on the right.
Students using hand tools to build a boat in the boat shed at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.
Students steam bending a wood boat from in the boat shed at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.
A student learning to row a yawl in Halifax Harbour.
  • A student building the frame of a boat in the boat shed at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.
  • A student building the frame of a boat in the boat shed at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.
  • Three wooden boats of different sizes are displayed on wooden cradles on a boardwalk. The largest boat has a cream hull with a teal bottom, the middle one has a cream hull with a blue stripe, and the smallest is cream with a red stripe. Behind them are several small, red-roofed buildings and a large, modern building with dark glass windows. Part of a larger, white ship is visible on the right.
  • Students using hand tools to build a boat in the boat shed at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.
  • Students steam bending a wood boat from in the boat shed at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.
  • A student learning to row a yawl in Halifax Harbour.
  • A student building the frame of a boat in the boat shed at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.
  • A student building the frame of a boat in the boat shed at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.
  • Three wooden boats of different sizes are displayed on wooden cradles on a boardwalk. The largest boat has a cream hull with a teal bottom, the middle one has a cream hull with a blue stripe, and the smallest is cream with a red stripe. Behind them are several small, red-roofed buildings and a large, modern building with dark glass windows. Part of a larger, white ship is visible on the right.
  • Students using hand tools to build a boat in the boat shed at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.
  • Students steam bending a wood boat from in the boat shed at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.
  • A student learning to row a yawl in Halifax Harbour.