Girls from military families invited to sail on schooner Unicorn in OpSail 2012

Daughters of deployed U.S. military, ages 13 to 18, are invited to sail on board the tall ship Unicorn in the summer of 2012 to honor their parents’ service for our country. "This Ain’t No Cruise, Sister!", the youth programming component for Sisters Under Sail, a non-profit organization based in Asbury, N.J., was announced today at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

“In honor of the 200th anniversary of the U.S. Navy, Sisters Under Sail has its eyes set on participating in OpSail 2012,” said Dawn Santamaria, executive director and founder of Sisters Under Sail.

Sailing as the only all-female crewed tall ship in the world, Unicorn will sail with daughters of deployed American service members from New York City to Norfolk, Va., and from Baltimore to Boston. The organization will partner with the Washington, DC- based not-for-profit Operation Sail, which has embraced the Sisters Under Sail mission and initiative to help identify these girls.

Established in 2005, Sisters Under Sail was established through the inspiration of Santamaria’s family experience. “My four daughters grew up sailing aboard our tall ship, Unicorn," she said. "What we offer is the opportunity for young women to step aboard for a voyage of self-discovery through confidence-building activities and maneuvering of our 110-foot ship.”

Since its inception, Sisters Under Sail has hosted nearly 400 teenage girls and 200 women. Forty-five percent of the girls are sponsored by generous donors. “We seek sponsorship or benefactor dollars to help us offer this wonderful 2012 program to those who give so much to our country,” Santamaria said.

Applications are available and donations can be made at www.sistersundersail.org. For more information about Sisters Under Sail’s sail training programs for women of all ages, contact Dawn Santamaria directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Teens from Israel and Palestine to work together on South Carolina schooner

On July 19, twelve teens from Israel, Palestine, and the United States will board South Carolina Maritime Foundation's tall ship, Spirit of South Carolina in Portland, Maine. These adolescents will be embarking on a 12-day leadership expedition. This new educational program, Seas of Peace, is being offered by the internationally-recognized organization Seeds of Peace.

The Seas of Peace program takes place over the course of three weeks.  The first ten days will be spent sailing small boats in Maine, followed by the twelve days aboard Spirit of South Carolina. During the program, the twelve teens will participate in Seeds of Peace curriculum designed to engage dialogue about who they are and where they are from while training them as leaders and helping them learn skills to continue working for peace when they return home.

When the students join the Spirit of South Carolina, they will be challenged with the 24-hour operation of a traditionally-rigged tall ship. Participants will work together in watches to steer, handle, sail and navigate the vessel. Continuing the focus of the first ten days, onboard curricula will center around leadership, seamanship and regionally-specific lessons. Professional crew will use on-watch activities to reinforce the formal lessons being taught by both Spirit of South Carolina and Seas of Peace staff.

"Seeds of Peace has been working with teen leaders for peace throughout the world for almost twenty years. In February, their staff sought us out to discuss collaborating on this program and we have worked closely with them to create a program that fits the needs of their participants," said Beth Spencer, program manager for South Carolina Maritime Foundation. "We are excited to serve as a platform for the expansion of their renowned program and to have the opportunity to work with the impressive adolescents chosen for participation by Seeds of Peace."

The Seas of Peace program is one of five multi-day programs aboard Spirit of South Carolina this summer. The other programs include students ranging from the Foundation's dropout prevention program to wilderness orientation for freshman at Colgate University.  There are still opportunities for both high school students and adults to join an expedition aboard the ship this summer through Spirit Ocean Adventure. Details about these programs are available at www.SpiritOceanAdventure.com.

Is your tall ship organization working with international students? Tell Fyddeye about your program.

Schooners Californian, Spirit of Dana Point in Ventura, Calif. for tall ships race

Tall ships are coming to Channel Islands Harbor in Ventura, Calif., June 24-26. A total of six tall ships will weigh anchor at the harbor as part of the American Sail Training Association’s Tall Ships Challenge race series. These majestic ships will be open for visitors to explore June 24-26.

While at the Channel Islands Harbor, people of all ages can climb aboard the decks and relive the ships’ colorful history through docent stories. battle re-enactment sails, a pirate camp, Civil War encampment, tours and educational programs are also part of the festivities. Visitors can also enjoy live entertainment as well as arts & crafts and food and beverage from the many vendors.

Some ships visitors can explore include the Californian, the official tall ship ambassador for the state of California. Built in 1984, it is a replica of the speedy 1847 revenue cutter C.W. Lawrence. The ship is 145 feet long, 101 feet tall and with all nine sails flying, carries 7,000 square feet of sail.

The Spirit of Dana Point is a traditionally built replica of a 1770s privateer employed during the American Revolution. The ship is classified as a 118-foot topsail schooner, with a sparred length of 118 feet and 5,000 square feet of sail.

For more information on the Tall Ships Challenge, visit the Channel Islands Harbor website at www.channelislandsharbor.org.

About Channel Islands Harbor Channel Islands Harbor serves as a center of recreation, boating, shopping and watersports activities. The harbor is home to three yacht clubs and nine full-service marinas that provide berths for 2,150 boats. It also hosts the Ventura County Maritime Museum. Located at Fisherman’s Wharf, the museum is a cultural center dedicated to the interpretation of maritime history through interactive exhibits and educational outreach. For more information on the Channel Islands Harbor, visit the website at www.channelislandsharbor.org.

Schooner Adventuress shows Seattle alternative school students how to succeed

On a rainy day at Elliott Bay Marina in Seattle, we waved goodbye to the New Start High School students as they walked away from Adventuress. My eyes met the crew's and I could tell that they, like me, were experiencing a wide range of emotions.  Some eyes shimmered with tears, others shimmered with hope and inspiration. Everyone's eyes were smiling. Everyone was grateful to have sailed with New Start.

New Start is an alternative school in Seattle with non-traditional programs to help its students succeed. While the students may not have done well in traditional schools, they are determined to take full advantage of this opportunity to learn, grow and graduate. And they are surrounded by people who care about their success.

One of those supporters and advocates is Bev Mowrer. She is a science teacher at New Start who is deeply passionate about finding opportunities for her students. Through her endless energy and determination, she raised $1,000 to help put her students aboard Adventuress. She wanted to use the voyage as incentive for her students to raise their grades and quit smoking. Sound Experience, which operates Adventuress, was so moved by their story that we provided scholarship funding to pay for the rest of the voyage.

It was the right thing to do.

In my four years with Sound Experience, sailing on dozens of voyages, I have never seen such eager participants. These students were gracious, hard working, and thirsty for every experience. They were quick to smile and eager to help. They embodied the spirit of Adventuress.

Students came with their own hopes for the voyage. One student planned to join the Coast Guard after graduation and this was her first overnight experience on a boat. Another was considering working in the marine trades. But my favorite reason for coming was from Troy.

"My grandpa's lifelong dream was to sail around the world. He recently had to cut it short because he couldn't do it on his own anymore," he said. "I want to learn as much as I can aboard Adventuress so I can help him finish his voyage."

That was merely the tip of a tremendously thoughtful and inspiring iceberg.

The students' trip was short. They spent two nights aboard Adventuress, but that was enough time to endear us to each other. The bond happened so quickly, and so powerfully, that we were all choked up at their departure—it felt like we had known them for months. I am certain the experience was even more powerful for them. Here's more of what the students had to say about their time on Adventuress:

Angela: "I learned how far I can push myself. My experience opened my eyes and showed me that I can go forward and do more with my life.  I can work hard and work with others. It's given me the push to want to be better."

Troy: "Before, I didn't know my classmates, but now, being on this ship, I feel like they're extended family. Most of us didn't talk before and now we're communicating together."

Nick: "I've grown stronger, as in my will to do things. When someone asks me to do something, I'll just to do it rather than waiting for someone else to do it. I have more initiative and more respect for the things I do and what others do."

Katrina: "I learned that even when I'm afraid, I can overcome those fears by taking one step forward. Just keep moving forward."

Andres: "I learned to not be scared to do things. It's ok to try something new. Go out there, explore, see what's new in life and have fun."

New Start's journey has continued to have a powerful effect. One student has already returned to Adventuress to volunteer for a week. Bev was named Teacher of the Year for her district. And Sound Experience continues to tell New Start's story as an example of the empowerment and community that can happen aboard Adventuress.

Zach Simonson-Bond is development and communications coordinator for Sound Experience, which owns and operates Adventuress. This article and photo is reprinted with permission from the Adventuress blog.