About
All Hands Boatworks Programs focus on wooden boatbuilding, on-water activities, and free community rowing. The programs also include intergenerational boat building and tours of the shop by appointment. Visitors can see boats under construction during these activities.
• Schedule: Building is open Monday–Friday from 9am–5pm; Intergenerational Boat Building runs August 21–23 from 9am–5pm
All Hands Boatworks, Inc. states that it exists to build the capacities, hopes, resilience, and goals of Milwaukee’s youth through wooden boatbuilding projects, work-based learning experiences, and on-the-water activities. The organization teaches the craft of wooden boatbuilding to support positive youth development, STEM understandings, and workforce preparation, while also including learning about Milwaukee’s rivers and the Great Lakes. It describes its approach as focusing on the craft, science, and art of wooden boatbuilding, guided by Swedish Sloyd Education Theory and influenced by Outward Bound and other experiential education practices. The organization describes itself as “building more than a boat” and refers to participating youth as “boatsmart young people.”
AHB was incorporated in the State of Wisconsin on May 24, 2013, and is now in its 13th year. The organization aims to be a vibrant hands-on learning center for youth and the community, and notes that its success depends on the involvement and generosity of many people throughout Milwaukee. It has partnered with education partners and receives business, industry, and community support.
The leadership and staff team includes William Nimke (Executive Director & Founder), Libbey Hartzler (RAFT Coordinator), Paul Bargren (Volunteer Instructor, Boatbuilder & Board member), Will Francis (Job Skills Director & Senior Boatbuilder), Tom Frank Sr. (Shop Manager), Ed Koscik (Volunteer Instructor & Boatbuilder), Claire Oliphant (Lead Program Instructor), Patrick McBriarty (Special Projects), Carter Lawson (Shop Instructor/Water Front Coordinator), Trent Myers (Volunteer Instructor & Boatbuilder), Joseph Hughes (President), Sean Keenan (Treasurer), Deb Pietsch (Secretary), Araceli Arevalo (Board member), Paul Bargren (Board member), Myron Edwards (Board member), Mark Kuehn (Board member), Chris Mortenson (Board member), Lynn Rix (Board member), Thomas N. Tuttle, Jr. (Board member), Robert “Robo” Brumder (Emeritus), and Norma Balentine (Emeritus). Free community rowing is offered on 11 Wednesdays and Saturdays in the summer. Visitors are welcome to come in and see the boats under construction and take a tour of the shop by appointment.
Last updated July 26, 2026.
• Schedule: Building is open Monday–Friday from 9am–5pm; Intergenerational Boat Building runs August 21–23 from 9am–5pm
All Hands Boatworks, Inc. states that it exists to build the capacities, hopes, resilience, and goals of Milwaukee’s youth through wooden boatbuilding projects, work-based learning experiences, and on-the-water activities. The organization teaches the craft of wooden boatbuilding to support positive youth development, STEM understandings, and workforce preparation, while also including learning about Milwaukee’s rivers and the Great Lakes. It describes its approach as focusing on the craft, science, and art of wooden boatbuilding, guided by Swedish Sloyd Education Theory and influenced by Outward Bound and other experiential education practices. The organization describes itself as “building more than a boat” and refers to participating youth as “boatsmart young people.”
AHB was incorporated in the State of Wisconsin on May 24, 2013, and is now in its 13th year. The organization aims to be a vibrant hands-on learning center for youth and the community, and notes that its success depends on the involvement and generosity of many people throughout Milwaukee. It has partnered with education partners and receives business, industry, and community support.
The leadership and staff team includes William Nimke (Executive Director & Founder), Libbey Hartzler (RAFT Coordinator), Paul Bargren (Volunteer Instructor, Boatbuilder & Board member), Will Francis (Job Skills Director & Senior Boatbuilder), Tom Frank Sr. (Shop Manager), Ed Koscik (Volunteer Instructor & Boatbuilder), Claire Oliphant (Lead Program Instructor), Patrick McBriarty (Special Projects), Carter Lawson (Shop Instructor/Water Front Coordinator), Trent Myers (Volunteer Instructor & Boatbuilder), Joseph Hughes (President), Sean Keenan (Treasurer), Deb Pietsch (Secretary), Araceli Arevalo (Board member), Paul Bargren (Board member), Myron Edwards (Board member), Mark Kuehn (Board member), Chris Mortenson (Board member), Lynn Rix (Board member), Thomas N. Tuttle, Jr. (Board member), Robert “Robo” Brumder (Emeritus), and Norma Balentine (Emeritus). Free community rowing is offered on 11 Wednesdays and Saturdays in the summer. Visitors are welcome to come in and see the boats under construction and take a tour of the shop by appointment.
Last updated July 26, 2026.
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