Two-months of skiff-building culminated today when members of the FortWhyte Farm junior staff put their boats out on the water.

Three plywood flat back skiffs were made this summer at FortWhyte Alive by junior staff and two woodworking mentors. They were obviously made well, as all three carried their creators on Lake Devonian without issue today.

Samuel Hastings is one of the junior staff. He's just about to head into grade 10, and he says this is a good addition to his skills because he's going into carpentry.

"It's been really fun to be with everybody, every one of my co-workers and staff," says Hastings.

Farm program coordinator Kathryn MacKenzie says the planning started months ago but the actual skiff-building has taken about two months. She says today was mostly a celebration of their new skills and a job well done.

"I think the youth are really excited to get out on those boats and row them around. The mentors, Jeff and Warren, they've been really patient, and they were really impressed with how all the youth did... they really put their heads into it and learned a lot," says MacKenzie.

FortWhyte Farms is described as "a social enterprise, growing food and community as well as employment and life skills in under-served urban youth." Junior staff are employees chosen from the education program. This year's group ranges from 15 years old to 19 years old. They learn about food, sustainability, and build on employment skills. This year, for the first time, the program included a boat-building and bike-making component.