You jump right into the building process on day one, positioning the building forms on the strongback. Over the next two days the canoe takes shape as you and your fellow students trim, bevel and fit seventy cedar strips into place. We do it with pocket knife, block plane, staples and glue. It's low-tech. If you enjoy tying your own flies, carving decoys or sewing quilts, then cedar strip building is definitely for you.

By the midpoint of class we'll be sanding and laminating the hull, first the outside, then inside. On the last day you get hands-on experience installing gunwales, decks and seats.

Expect to participate in every piece of the building process to ensure you take away the skills and know-how to build your own cedar strip canoe. Tuition includes canoe plans of your choice, and a complete bill of materials to build your canoe. Classes meet at the NWC St. Paul shop, Historic Northern Railway Warehouse, 8 a.m 'til ? for the week-long intensive workshop.