by Caroline Caton “Socks”, NESS SEA AmeriCorps Member

At the beginning of the school year, our fifth-grade students started their nearly three-month-long sailing unit. We prefaced with: “Unfortunately, we can’t actually bring a boat into the school to sail on…” because that would be crazy, right? Little did we all know, we were actually going to be able to bring one in and surprise the students. 

When Sunshine and Spindrift showed up one Monday afternoon with the Opti Trainer, we knew these kids were in for a treat. As students walked into the classroom, their eyes widened and the room was filled with gasps of awe. Then, the real fun began. In groups, students were able to come up to the boat and get hands-on experience learning to “tack” by pulling on the main sheet and steering with the tiller. Finally, all these weeks of learning about boats and sailing was coming together for them — they were able to use a real boat and put their knowledge to the test. 

While a handful of students were practicing with the Opti, the rest of the students were learning how to tie some common sailing knots. What started with some confused looks and fumbling hands, slowly turned into looks of pride as they showed off their completed knots. Eventually, they started asking for more and more knots, and more complicated knots as well.

The NESS AmeriCorps program goes above and beyond to connect students with the ocean, even going to the lengths of bringing an actual boat into the classroom to practice with. In an area where ocean access is largely restricted to the more fortunate individuals, being able to provide such unique and exciting opportunities for students is a special time. While doing so, students are able to learn that they are more capable than they once thought they were, learn new skills, and grow in their self-confidence.