SCAMP Camp- A life changing experience.
2026 SCAMP CAMP
Build Your Dream With Expert Instruction
Welcome, and congratulations on joining SCAMP Camp 2026. I hope the build we do together as a team will be a milestone in your life as it has been for so many others. If you haven’t built a boat before you are in for a treat. There is nothing quite like building and sailing your capable small boat. By building it yourself you can incorporate features that suit your likes and needs. As a team builder, you will have the opportunity to work with others in a satisfying creative process. After SCAMP Camp you will be able to drive home with a highly accurate hull, remaining components, and the skills needed to finish your boat.
SCAMP Camp is a fast-paced team effort designed to produce highly accurate hulls through teamwork. This means that we work together on all the boats in the build. Of course, your boat is your boat and you will be in charge of the build with assistance and instruction. For the major assemblies and planking we team up.
Your Instructor
The instructor for the build is me, Howard Rice. I have instructed all SCAMP Camp builds to date and have also built several custom SCAMP’s for owners in North America, and Japan. John Welsford has teamed up with me for several SCAMP Camp builds. To date, I have had a hand in the build of over 90 SCAMP’s and will continue to support you as you proceed after the initial build of the hull. As a former college professor with a lifelong love of boats and boat building, I have created a fun creative learning atmosphere. I have taught boat building at the Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building, Chesapeake Light Craft, and at various maritime centers across North America.
Where Will SCAMP CAMP 2026 Be Located?
The 2026 SCAMP Camp is being held in the beautiful lake side town of Petoskey, Michigan.
Work Days
The build begins on day one with a short orientation session to help familiarize each builder with the build process and management of the shop space. Each work day will begin at 8 am and end at 5 pm unless we are having too much fun and decide to push on into the evening. Lunch is an hour at noon. Each lunch break will be an opportunity for the group to engage in a small boat chalk talk by the build instructor about the boats being built, small boat use, or other related topics, that builders request.
** Birds Mouth Mast Option **
One of the elements of the SCAMP build that seems a bit daunting to builders is the construction of a hollow, tapered birds mouth mast. Before the 2023 Camp the option was offered to produce masts during the Camp by working some evenings. As it turned out everyone enrolled selected the option and beautiful masts were built during the build. This option is being offered again in 2026 at a cost of $1,200. This cost covers the cost of materials including Sitka Spruce, epoxy, fillers, and the instructor’s time. By any measure, it is a bargain. Please select this option if interested as materials need to be sourced before the build.
Boat Trailer
You will need to bring a trailer for your new boat. It is suggested that a jet ski trailer is the most economical and perfectly suited for carrying your new boat. Any trailer with adjustable fore and aft bunks as depicted in the photos above will work. A trailer with a long tongue makes it easy to back up while launching and retrieving. You can also bring a small 4X8 utility trailer to move your new boat home and then purchase an actual boat trailer later. Galvanized is the choice over painted steel.
Order Your SCAMP Kit
You will need to order your SCAMP kit from Small Craft Advisor. Mention that it is for a 2026 SCAMP Camp and it will automatically be shipped to the build site. Please order the kit as soon as possible so there is ample time to CNC cut, package, and ship it with the other kits as this will reduce shipping costs.
Volunteers and Visitors
Volunteers and visitors to the build are always welcome. Typically we have a few folks who want to stop by as volunteers for a few hours or days. Please let us know by email so we can plan. Visitors are of course welcome at any time.
