A unique opportunity for youth of 13 to 18 years old to live life aboard a schooner for seven days.

Dearest Sailors,

The Maritime Challenge Foundation is looking forward to go sail the high seas again. We certainly hope that you will be joining us!

The Maritime Challenge Foundation will be sailing for a third season aboard the schooner Harvey Gamage, a 131 ft. two-masted wood hulled schooner owned and operated by Ocean Classroom Foundation.

Last summer, The Maritime Challenge Foundation sailed for three weeks with teenagers whom had previously attended the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Ashford, CT. The kids have described their sailing voyage as “an awesome and very rewarding experience.”

“I didn’t expect to be as active as we were. I thought since we were inexperienced, we would get to do only small things. However, we pretty much ran the boat once we knew how. The feeling of camaraderie and the element of teamwork are what make me eager to sail again. When everyone is working together, and powering on to control the ship, it is a great feeling to be part of. ” Robert Burke, 16 years old.

“I thought the onboard education was exceptional. All of the mates and deckhands made it clear and obvious that you could approach them with any questions. They also went/would go over all information several times to make sure you understood. Off the top of my head, I do not think the Maritime Challenge Camp Program could improve on anything. The experience and program was basically flawless.” Matthew Brandon Dickard, 16 years old.

The Maritime Challenge Sailing Camp destinations included Boston, MA Gloucester, MA, Provincetown, RI, Mystic Seaport Museum, CT and the Intl. Yacht Restoration School in Newport, RI. The sailors visited the Center for Coastal Studies, the Pilgrim Monument and the Pirate Museum. They saw whales swimming close by the ship, they sailed amongst peers, learned about sail handling and most of all realized their strengths. The shipmates left the boat talking about coming back next year!

In addition to basic sailing skills our curriculum covers everything from marine biology and maritime history to navigation and seamanship. The educational component is hands-on and includes art projects, cooking lessons, story telling, wildlife observation, navigation and nautical science. During the day, you and the Harvey Gamage will cruise the fabled coast of New England. You'll get a chance to learn all about the running of a ship, and there will be lectures on marine ecology and the rich history of the seas you're sailing through. During the cruise you might get a chance to see whales at play during their summer migration up the coast, along with harbor seals and dolphins. Once anchored for the night you'll take nature walks on small islands, observing bald eagles and ospreys and then gather shanties and stories. For each sailing trip, the crew, the Maritime Challenge and the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp counselors will be on hand to explain curriculum literature and to assist with any special needs.

Our participants will learn a new respect for the ocean and all its elements as they explore seamanship, oceanography, and maritime history through a real adventure at sea. In addition to learning to "hand, reef and steer," they will learn lifelong lessons in teamwork, mutual respect, and the value of determined efforts. More importantly, these young sailors meet and bond with others who have struggled with similar issues and illnesses in an effort to create a safe and supportive community. The Maritime Challenge Camp gives them all "the Strength of the Sea and the Spirit of the Ocean."

PROGRAM SUMMER 2006

The Maritime Challenge Sailing Filming Camp

The Camp; August 1^st to August 7 ^th 2006

Destination: Sailing from Rockland, Maine (transportation available) to Boston, Mass.

Open to: All previous sailors whom have attended the Maritime Challenge Camp.

Deadline to send application forms: May 15 ^th 2006

Fees: Free of charge

Age group to participate: 14 to 18 years old

Barefootworkshops.com will offer a One-Week Digital Video Workshop aboard the schooner Harvey Gamage of Ocean Classroom Foundation.

Bunks limited to fifteen sailors.

Using eight Canon-sponsored, state-of-the-art GL2 cameras and eight Apple sponsored laptops; the sailors will learn basic camera skills and will navigate the schooner to nearby ports, exploring surrounding island communities. At the end of the week, the sailing filmmakers will have found a new and highly personal voice to express themselves.

The sailors will walk away with the technical know-how, confidence and ability to tell a story. The objective is for them to share a new appreciation and way of looking at the world around them.

Maritime Challenge is planning to have the edited version by November 2006 and incorporate these short films into educational television.

To receive an application form, please contact Anne-Marie at the Maritime Challenge Foundation number: 207.691.0183 or e-mail at info@maritimechallenge.org

Qualifications:

The participants must be between 13 and 18 years of age.
The participants should be off active treatments and in strong enough health to participate in an active program. If you have any questions, we encourage you to contact us.
As part of the application, parents or caregivers will be asked to provide a letter from their administering onco- logist to take part of the program.
Each trip takes 15 teenagers and 6 program staff and a qualified oncology nurse to sea. Under most circumstances, participant to consultant ratio will be less than 2 to 1.