I had an opportunity today to take three of our granddaughters to one of the local home improvement stores (guess which one…), for an exciting Catamaran build. This is a free program at both orange, and blue, home improvement centers, for children of all ages.

Mellisa, from our local orange store Customer Service Department, was charged to conduct the program for two hours, which she did wonderfully! And in less than a half an hour, our three girls had built their first sailing ship, with canvas sail and pontoons.

Of course, the questions went from “Papa, will this kato-moroon really float?”, to “Papa, this wood is really hard!” I was busy taking photographs, and concentrated primarily on the facial expressions. What do you think? Looking through several dozen photos I took during this construction project was priceless – I will probably go along for the next several project builds.

The local home improvement retailers all have active programs for the children year-round. It is a terrific Community activity in which more parents should enroll their children, as it will plant woodworking seeds that are likely to last a lifetime.

Our granddaughter #2, S., never misses an opportunity to spend quality time with me in the shop. And I enjoy the experience every single time, for lasting memories are made of such special moments.

I present three of our granddaughters, immediately after completing their catamaran. Mellisa, the instructor, is the young lady on the left. To her left is E., four years old (granddaughter #4); then S., (#2), seven; and on the right is M. (#3), six:

E. had to try even the floor, to drive the nails in “…this really hard wood!”, while her two sisters worked away and concentrated on their project: