This summer on a farm in Maine, two Bowsprit participants, who professed not to have the ability to focus for more than ten minutes on any thing (attributed to their own ADD diagnoses), were astonished to find that they had sat quietly, blindfold, for an hour and a half, wordlessly creating their own clay worlds through guided meditations with a master potter; they sat and worked in her studio, in their neighborhood, among handmade things full of beauty and meaning. This was a program highlight for them. 

Together, later, we constructed a cob oven at the Bowsprit site, with a skilled builder, who camped and ate with us, and shared his warm outlook on life and a genuine interest in the lives of our participants.

Bowsprit Foundation curates these kinds of experiences with the knowledge that young people's capacities are often underestimated, and their ability to relate to adults or contribute to their community overlooked. This is what our programs aim to redress.

All it takes is willing neighbors, access to raw materials, and a few projects!

You can help us provide this 'good beginning'.

By connecting young adults with people and events around them that are creative, meaningful, and uplifting,

Bowsprit aims to restore the 'fertile soil' of a rich local culture and the vitality of our community. 

As an adjunct program, in keeping with our mission, this fall and winter, students from the Ecology Learning Center, a local charter school, will come to the farm and help with larger construction projects as part of their community outreach program. We are excited to continue this reciprocity and make a difference in even more young people's lives.

 Bowsprit's participants come from local public schools and agencies in Waldo, Knox, and Hancock counties in Maine.

All are welcome.

Funding helps. This Giving Tuesday we are asking you to support this important work in any way you can.