In the early months of 2011, Mathews County 4-H and the Mathews Maritime Foundation embarked on an ambitious and unique project to engage youth and adults in building sailboats for Jamestown 4-H Educational Center. The goal was to make the center the only one in the state to offer sailing as one of the regular classes.

This year’s camp will see that dream become a reality. Six sailboats were delivered to Jamestown in mid-May. Camp staff has been hired and are receiving additional training to be able to provide this educational program to 4-H youth campers this summer.

Funding was raised through contributions made by numerous donors. But finding the funding was only the first step.

Once the funds were available, the sailboats needed to be built. For that, nearly 30 people contributed hours and hours of time on Saturday mornings to see the long project through to completion. The project engaged youth with adults in ways which were out of the ordinary.

Next week, the first...