: We have been running a kayak program for the YMCA for the past 5 years. We
: want to add more substance to the kayak program this summer so we are
: running the program for an entire week with 3 days on the water.

: On the campers' first day, we want them to build a kayak out of cardboard
: following a simple stitch and glue pattern. There is no intention for this
: boat to be anything more than a learning prop.
: Our goals are to: 1. Keep cost to an absolute minimum.
: 2. Keep the assembling of the kayak simple
: 3. Give the campers a hands on approach to learn about the kayaks, kayak
: rigging, and terminology
: 4. The campers need to be able to assemble the kayak within one day.

: The campers will be broken up into to teams of 12 -13 campers, who will then
: build the kayak, creat a team name, team goals and a team slogan. As they
: go through the week they will earn stars to put on their team kayak.

: Does anyone have any suggestions on plans to use that can be scaled down to a
: 6 - 7 foot kayak? Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

: Wes Hall

Why not build skin on frame kayaks instead of stitch and glue? Instead of cardboard you can cover the frames with inexpensive muslin, which is much cheaper than canvas. Or, use blue plastic tarps, or 6 mil or 8 mil polyethylene plastic sheeting as your covering and you can paddle these boats. The plastic skins won't last much longer than your week, but they can be easily patched should they get any leaks. Duct tape!

Check:

http://www.shelter-systems.com/kayak.html

This link show how a kayak can be made made in 4 hours from willow shoots and a blue tarp. Total cast would be about $5.

They also have a link to the model ( they spell it "modle") they made of the frame. Consider having your campers make such models as craft projects. They would make great personal souvenirs. It would probably take no more than 2 hours to construct the model frame, and another 1/2 hour to cover it with muslin.

You just working form the pictures you should be able to resize this to design to any length and width you desire for your non-working boats.

Since skin-on-frame boats are the original prototypes for the kayaks we paddle today I think they would be more relevant for instruction than stitch and glue designs. They are also very sell suited for group construction.

Each person in the group can produce one component. With all the construction going on simultaneously, the frame can be done in 2 to 4 hours and covered in another hour. If yo try to follow the design of the willow framed boat I've mentioned, then I would suggest you break down your groups of 12-13 into two teams of 5 to 7 campers. There are 6 frames, so each camper makes one. You can tell them about how wide and how tall to make them and let them got on their own from there. Another camper can lash together the sticks or willow shoots used for the stringers. Finally, all the campers can lash the stringers onto the frames and cover the frame with a skin, which is held on and sealed with duct tape.

Now each group has an "A" boat and a "B" boat which would be suitable for paddling in a lake. You could even have relay races with all these boats.

At the end of camp you can disassemble the boats and store the parts so they can be reassembled the next year. They'll go together faster the second time.

If you are not near a source of willow shoots, contact a tree trimming service near the camp and ask if they can get you some similar materials from the trees they trim. Or, it will take a bit longer, but your campers can cut the frames out of plywood. With two campers cutting at a frame (one saws for 2 minutes and rests for 2 minutes, while the other saws) you can get 12 campers to layout the 6 frames in 1/2 hour and then cut those 6 frames in another 1/2 hour. I'd suggest you have an adult who has a table saw rip the strips for the stringers ahead of time. Then the campers can lash the stringers to the frames and cover them with the plastic sheeting or the tarps.

Hope this helps.

PGJ