February 2011 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 7. Waterfront News


"Cruise for a Cause" Offered by the Ocean Classroom Foundation As a fundraiser, Ocean Classroom Foun-


dation of Boothbay Harbor, Maine is offering a Cruise for a Cause during February school vacation week for adults interested in experi- encing an exciting adventure.


Since 1996, Ocean Classroom’s stu- dents have been sailing to other countries, as they did last March to the Dominican Repub- lic.


On March 14th 2010, a remarkable group of high school students arrived in Luperon, a small village on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic. They had come to the island of Hispaniola via the Ocean Classroom Foundation schooner HARVEY GAMAGE. After anchoring in the harbor of Samana, the students traveled by gua gua (local bus) to meet with the folks at the Village Mountain Mission. There, they built a home for the Salvador family, who had been living in in- hospitable conditions.


Students built the house in just one week from the foundation to the roof; an experience that resulted in an incredibly emotional week full of hugs, laughter, tears and joy, working together with the Salvador family and their neighbors with support and compassion for each other.


The building was complete, yet the big- gest surprise was still to come. With their new house completed, the Salvadors could be reunited with their oldest child, who had been living in Santiago. Samuel had left his parents and two siblings in their ramshackle house over two years ago because of a lack of resources and space. The two remaining chil- dren had been sharing a mattress placed on the dirt floor each night before they went to


ST. LOUIS – The American Canoe Associa- tion (ACA) and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxil- iary announced signing of a Memorandum of Agreement to promote safety among those who use kayaks, canoes and other paddlecraft. The new agreement establishes cooperative efforts broadening outreach and education to the paddle sports community. Paddlesports boating is one of the fast- est growing recreation activities in the United States. In 2008 the Outdoor Industry Asso- ciation reported that approximately 17.8 mil- lion people participated in paddlesports get- ting out on the water nearly 50,000 times daily. The explosive growth has triggered a disturb- ing increase in paddlesports injuries and fa- talities. Often, with little investment inexpe- rienced individuals are on the water without adequate paddle sport safety equipment or training.


The American Canoe Association and the Coast Guard Auxiliary are committed to reversing this trend. With input from the ACA a new Auxiliary Paddlesports America Course is now available nationwide comple- menting traditional safety courses that have been offered by ACA for decades. This classroom based training provides paddlers basic knowledge needed to safely operate their vessels including: knowing the


sleep. As a result of the efforts of the Ocean Classroom students, Samuel joined his family in the new house in La Sabana at the comple- tion of the school year.


Leaving Luperon was bittersweet for the HARVEY GAMAGE crew. The students ex- pected to build a house, work hard, and meet some new people. Yet they returned to the ship as a family, viewing the ship as “home” and very happy to be back on board. Working in partnership with the Village Mountain Mission had a remarkably positive effect on all that were involved. “This type of service immersion is an invaluable experience on many levels” explains Alyson Graham, Ocean Classroom’s Educational Director. “It is amazing how much the students accom- plished in a week, and how their hard work and willingness to see such a large project through to completion changed the lives of an entire group of people. At times we all forget that the world is our classroom, teach- ers come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, and their lessons may take many forms. This was not missed by our students, who were living in the moment and will be carrying those lessons with them into the rest of their lives.” The Ocean Classroom Foundation would like to partner with the Village Moun- tain Mission on a regular basis so that build- ing a home for a family in need will become an integral part of every high school student’s experience during their semester at sea. Funds are needed for the costs of the stu- dents’ transportation, food, and supplies while working on the building site. The Mis- sion states, “Our goal is not only to simply build homes, rather to build relationships


Promoting Paddlesports Safety


paddlecraft, trip planning, safe operation, legal requirements, and paddling emergen- cies. The American Canoe Association and the Coast Guard Auxiliary will also reach out to paddlers through the paddlecraft vessel safety check program. Experts will talk with paddlers as they examine safety gear and provide personalized paddlesports safety guidance.


Founded in 1880, the American Canoe Association (ACA) is a national nonprofit organization serving the broader paddling public by providing education related to the aspects of paddling, stewardship support to help protect paddling environments; and sanctioning of programs and events to pro- mote paddlesport competition and recre- ation. For more information about the Ameri- can Canoe Association visit http:// www.americancanoe.org


The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard created by an Act of Congress in 1939. The Auxiliary, America’s Volunteer Guardians, supports the Coast Guard in nearly all of the service’s missions. For more information about the Coast Guard Auxiliary visit http:// www.cgaux.org


Senator Snowe Lauds Addition of Destroyer to Navy Budget


WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe lauded the decision announced by U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Gates to add one destroyer to the five-year Navy budget. Secretary Gates’ announcement was part of his Department of Defense efficiency proposal.


“I look forward to reviewing the details of Secretary Gates’ efficiencies proposals and am very pleased that he will be adding a destroyer to the Navy’s budgets. I have


been urging the Department of the Navy to add destroyers to their shipbuilding program for several months now, and this increase is a great opportunity for Maine’s own Bath Iron Works” said Senator Snowe. “The hardworking employees at Bath continue to produce great ships to meet our nation’s naval needs and I am pleased at this prospect for their continued contributions to our national defense capabilities.”


Ocean Classroom’s high school students and neighbors in front of the house they helped build in Samana, Dominican Republic.


with people that will last for years to come. We seek to provide life-changing experi- ences for our participants and the people they come into contact with.”


As a result of having worked for the Mission, many of Ocean Classroom’s stu- dents plan on participating in future service projects. This February, 19 high school stu- dents from 9 states will begin their voyage in the Caribbean and end in Boothbay Harbor at the end of May. The Maine students onboard are from Boothbay Harbor, Rockland, Rich- mond, Kennebunk, and Alna. Hopefully, all of the students will have the opportunity to serve a community in need during their jour- ney.


Ocean Classroom is appealing to its community in Maine to contribute to its ser- vice mission, which has become a valuable component of its character building educa- tional programs. One ambitious and grateful alum from a past high school voyage is plan- ning a fundraiser for this spring; announce- ments of that event will be coming soon. The February “Cruise for a Cause” is for adults who want to experience an abbrevi- ated version of the same exciting adventure the students have been receiving. “This is a fantastic opportunity for teachers, artists, and anyone who loves a personal challenge”, says Susan Hodder, Managing Director at


Ocean Classroom, “plus, we’re dedicating this cruise as a special fundraiser for an important cause, so everyone benefits.” Anyone interested in learning more about the cruise and how to contribute to the valuable efforts of Ocean Classroom’s stu- dents may call or email Alyson Graham, Edu- cational Director, at Ocean Classroom Foun- dation, 207-633-2750, agraham@oceanclassroom.org.


The Ocean Classroom Foundation, lo- cated in Boothbay Harbor, is a non-profit experiential education organization commit- ted to sending students and their teachers to sea on voyages in which the traditions, val- ues and adventure of maritime life provide a unique context for education. For more infor- mation, visit www.oceanclassroom.org.


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