The Spirit Awakens Ours

When you’re out on the water, tasting the salt spray and feeling the wind in your hair, it’s hard to believe that you ever wasted time sitting in places called “offices” or watching things called “televisions.”

This is where you feel alive, where the sun is glistening off the clean blue water and everything is a few notches closer to perfect. Those who love sailing know exactly what we mean. Those crewing in Charleston Race Week this weekend are about to get the best of it.

And for those who have never experienced the sheer bliss of sailing? Well, that’s where the South Carolina Maritime Foundation steps in.

Through the use of the majestic 140-foot tall ship Spirit of South Carolina and through land-based programming, they are helping tomorrow’s leaders learn today what life on the water is all about.

The best part is the diversity of programs. Whether you’re a younger student at a local elementary or middle school in need of an extended day learning program or a teenager ready to tackle a two-week adventure in the Gulf of Maine, they’ve got you covered.

We’d consider going back to school ourselves if it meant getting our hands wet as Sea Spray Scouts. Students get help with core classes in English, history, and science while enjoying five-hour daysails. Dog’s not going to eat your homework on that one.

Other programs we heart include the 21st Century Spirit Ocean Adventure summer program for rising ninth graders at Charleston County Title I schools and the open enrollment Spirit Ocean Adventure, which offers summer and Spring Break opts for kids.

These sailing expeditions / learning programs are already showing amazingly positive results. Kids are studying harder, doing better in their core academic classes, and having healthy fun on the water. What’s not to love?

Not only is the SC Maritime Foundation helping keep kids in school and on the right track, it’s also ensuring that they get to share the fun of life on the water.

And, hey, creating future generations who understand the importance of keeping our coastal waters crisp and clean for all of us to enjoy? Now that’s keeping the spirit alive. One sail at a time.

SCMaritime.org

Story by: Jason A. Zwiker