River Wrights Boat Builders -(Carpentry and Environmental studies)
While the development of positive youth outcomes for at-risk and disadvantaged youth remains at the core of all OPP youth businesses, River Wrights Boat Builders (RWBB) projects have expanded and evolved over time, responding to the needs of the community and the interests of our youth.
What I learned in River Wrights Boat Builders
is that there is nothing wrong with working together with other people from different races. 
William Walker
When it began in 1997, youth helped to build river-worthy wooden boats that were either sold or donated to summer camps in the region. It now enrolls up to 60 youth a year in a variety of program activities centered on creative woodworking, community improvement and environmental projects:
In 2005, RWBB implemented a “Science on the River” collaborative project with the Connecticut Department of Environment Protection, Riverfront Recapture, Trout Unlimited and The Connecticut River Watershed Council. They program allows youth to study the overall health of the local eco-system, and to monitor fish and other wildlife in and around the Connecticut River.
Currently,
River Wrights "Science on the River" youth are collaborating with National Geographic and Riverfront Recapture to study snapping turtles in the Connecticut River
In phase 1 of the project, youth protected turtle eggs, and studied which predators, if any, might steal them.
In phase 2, Youth trapped and caught a 39lb male turtle and mounted National Geographic's famous "critter cam" on him. They are currently waiting to see the footage from the first turtle and will catch and release more this summer.
RWBB also builds and sells outdoor furniture, refurbishes donated furniture, rebuilds old boats in addition to building new wooden boats. RWBB “services and products” may change but the core activity of helping youth build a future for themselves continues to flourish.
RWBB currently has Adirondack Chairs for sale....to order
