TEACH SAILING
THE
FUN WAY!
aka
Beyond Wind and Sailing Jeopardy
A guide full of games, activities, and initiatives that facilitate
learning
Contributions from:
2009 National Sailing Programs Symposium Participants
Long Island Sound Junior Sailing Instructors
Compiled by:
Amy Kellogg, Former Chairman, Long Island Sound Junior Sailing Association
Robert T .Crafa, Director of Waterfront Programs
SUNY Maritime College
6 Pennyfield Avenue, McMurray Hall
Throggs Neck, NY 10465
Phone: 718-409-7460 Fax: 718-409-6112
E-mail: rcrafa@sunymaritime.edu
Teach Sailing the Fun Way!
Table of Contents
WELCOME......................................................................................................................................................................... 4
SUGGESTIONS FOR SUCCESSFUL ACTIVITIES .................................................................................................. 5
LESSON PLAN TEMPLATE .......................................................................................................................................... 6
ACTIVITIES ....................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Alphabet Lingo .......................................................................................................................8
Boat Maintenance....................................................................................................................9
Burgee, Make Your Own.......................................................................................................10
Bubble Trail ..........................................................................................................................11
Build a Boat ..........................................................................................................................12
Burgee, Design Your Own ....................................................................................................13
Captain’s Coming..................................................................................................................14
Capture the Flag ....................................................................................................................15
Chalk Boat Relay ..................................................................................................................17
Chart Making Sailing Science ...............................................................................................18
Catch the Dragon’s Tail.........................................................................................................20
Chase the Coconut.................................................................................................................21
Clay Boat Building................................................................................................................22
Collage..................................................................................................................................23
Commercial...........................................................................................................................24
Crewlywed Game, The..........................................................................................................25
Dance Contest .......................................................................................................................26
Dead Reckoning Navigation..................................................................................................27
Design Your Own Yacht Club...............................................................................................28
Egg Drop, The.......................................................................................................................29
Famous Name Game .............................................................................................................30
Fender Flinger.......................................................................................................................31
Fetch!....................................................................................................................................32
Fish Print Tee Shirts..............................................................................................................33
Fishing ..................................................................................................................................34
Flotsam & Jetsam Boats ........................................................................................................35
Greased Pig Race ..................................................................................................................36
Harry Houdini .......................................................................................................................37
Hit Man, Hit Woman.............................................................................................................38
Human Knot..........................................................................................................................39
I Spy .....................................................................................................................................40
Internet Resources.................................................................................................................41
Jeopardy, Sailing...................................................................................................................43
Jump the Brook .....................................................................................................................44
Jump the River ......................................................................................................................45
Kayaking...............................................................................................................................46
Knights, Cavaliers, and Horses..............................................................................................47
Knots ....................................................................................................................................48
Land Skills Relay Race .........................................................................................................50
Logbooks ..............................................................................................................................51
Mad Libs...............................................................................................................................52
MAFIA .................................................................................................................................54
Main Sheet Joust ...................................................................................................................55
Mainsail Puzzle.....................................................................................................................56
Mechanics of an Optimist......................................................................................................57
Memory ................................................................................................................................58
Nomenclature........................................................................................................................59
Physical Fitness.....................................................................................................................60
PIE........................................................................................................................................61
Raccoon Circles ....................................................................................................................62
Rain Gutter Regatta...............................................................................................................63
Rigging Races .......................................................................................................................64
Rock Around the River..........................................................................................................65
Rope Rugs.............................................................................................................................66
Sailing Invite.........................................................................................................................67
Sailmakers Patch, Design Your Own.....................................................................................68
Ship Shape ............................................................................................................................69
Signal Flag Project ................................................................................................................75
Skill Race..............................................................................................................................77
Snipe Hunt ............................................................................................................................78
Spider and the Flies...............................................................................................................79
Stick, Stick, Capsize..............................................................................................................80
Styrofoam Prints ...................................................................................................................81
Team Shirts...........................................................................................................................82
Theme Days ..........................................................................................................................83
Threshold ..............................................................................................................................85
Tie Dye T-Shirt and Signature...............................................................................................87
Truth or Lie...........................................................................................................................88
What’s Wrong? (with this picture).........................................................................................89
Vermonster ...........................................................................................................................90
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES IN NEED OF LESSON PLANS................................................................................ 97
ACTIVITIES CROSS REFERENCED ........................................................................................................................ 91
RESOURCES .................................................................................................................................................................... 95
Bag of Tricks ........................................................................................................................95
Books....................................................................................................................................95
Prizes ....................................................................................................................................95
Web Sites..............................................................................................................................96
Welcome
Teaching Sailing the Fun Way! is a compendium of fun and creative teaching techniques that are
used by sailing instructors around the country. Many of the activities were contributed by
individuals like you.
Over the years each of our programs has developed a collection of games and activities to teach
sailing concepts and engage young sailors. From field trips to scavenger hunts, to pirate days to
Olympic events, there are an endless assortment of games, crafts, trips and activities that are
already a part of many programs. In order to share in the talents and creative energies of our
instructors, committees and family members, we are collecting the best of the best.
We ask everyone to continue submit their favorite activities or add to detail or extensions to
these existing activities. Be generous, the more we share, the more valuable the resource will
be. With your help, this guide will grow from year to year and will continue to be a resource for
our programs.
Please share with us your favorite:
Ice Breakers
Trust Initiatives
Team Building Activities
Land Games and Activities for when the weather won’t cooperate
Water Games and Activities
Activities that teach sailing, water safety or other concepts in a fun, creative way
Science enrichment lesson plans that correlate sailing with science, math, English
and environmental education
Please use the lesson plan template provided to organize and share your activities. Feel free to
make additional copies or e-mail Rob Crafa - [email protected] for an electronic copy to
submit additional ideas.
Remember, life is what you add to it.
Thank you for your time and generous contributions.
Amy and Rob
Suggestions for Successful Activities
1) Be a role model for junior program participants
i) Present a positive attitude – be enthusiastic about new games and activities – these are
fun, educational activities – NOT time killers
ii) Don’t speak bad about participants, instructors, boats/equipment or the activities.
iii) Always wear closed toed shoes and your life jacket on or near the water
2) Mix up competitive and noncompetive games so it is not always about winning sometimes it
should just be about fun.
3) When choosing teams do so randomly, no one likes to be the last one picked. Ways to
accomplish this:
i) Count participants off randomly 1-2-1-2
ii) Have participants arrange themselves in order by height, birthday (month and day) or
other means and divide the group evenly down the middle.
4) Remember: Safety, Fun, Learning - must occur in this order
5) Provide feedback
i) Do you have an activity that works well for you that is not in here? Let us know we
will include it!
ii) Can you improve an activity in here by offering additional teaching procedures,
materials that would be helpful, safety warnings, extensions to adapt the activity in
another fun way or techniques to help debrief the activity?
6) Use at your own risk!
Lesson Plan Template
Activity Title:
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Appropriate Age Level: Any; 3-5; 6-8; 8-10; 10-14; 14-18, Adult,
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants:
Set-up Time Required: 0-15 minutes
15-30 minutes
30 minutes – 1 hour
1 hour+
Activity Time Required: 0-15 minutes
15-30 minutes
30 minutes – 1 hour
1 hour+
Space Requirements: Beach; Field, Parking Lot, Classroom (indoors only), On-the-water; Normal Meeting
Area
Materials/Resources:
Procedure for Teaching: Step-by-step plan that others could follow (feel free to continue on reverse side)
Student Product: Journal entry, worksheet, artifact (if any).
Extensions: Related resources, other similar activities
Activities
Alphabet Lingo
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Review terminology
Appropriate Age Level: Any
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 2+
Set-up Time Required: 0-15 minutes
Time Required for Activity: 15-30 minutes
Space Requirements: Normal meeting area
Materials/Resources: None
Procedure for Teaching:
Everyone tries to name a nautical tem beginning with a letter of the alphabet. You can either
have each player name something with the same letter, before moving to the next letter (A,A, A,
A, B, B, B, C, C, C…) or rotate on letter with each player until a player is stumped (A, B, C,
D…..)
Example: A=Aft, B=Ballast, C=Cunningham
Variation: Start with any letter, the next person has to name something that starts with the last
letter of the pervious term Example: Anchor – Reef Hook – Keel - Layline
Student Product:
Extensions:
Can be played with any category from cities, to countries, types of fish, first names, etc.
Boat Maintenance
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Teach participants to understand and appreciate necessary maintenance on sail or power boat.
Appropriate Age Level: 8+
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 2+
Set-up Time Required: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Activity Time Required: 30 minutes – 1 ½ hour
Space Requirements: classroom, workshop or dock
Materials/Resources: Depends on maintenance project
Ideas?
1) Hull cleaning and waxing
a) Running water
b) Boat Zoap, Simple Green or other cleaner
c) Bucket(s)
d) Sponge(s)
e) Boat wax with applicator pad
f) Clean towels/rags to remove wax
Sail Repair?
Gel coat repair?
Engine Maintenance – oil change, lower gear unit oil, spark plugs, fuel/water separator, battery
Procedure for Teaching: Depends on maintenance project chosen
Student Product:
Extensions:
See owners manual or manufacturers web site for recommended maintenance
Start Powerboating Right, United States Sailing Association
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Merry Petitclair
Burgee, Make Your Own
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Team building, build team/club spirit
Appropriate Age Level: 8 – 16 years old
Number of Participants: 3+
Set-up Time Required: 15-30 minutes
Activity Time Required: 15–30 minutes
Space Requirements: Classroom or normal meeting area
Materials/Resources:
1) Pre-cut triangle (burgee shaped) cut outs on paper, old t-shirts, old sail material or towels
2) Colored Markers
Procedure for Teaching:
Ask sailors to create their own burgee for their boat, their class, for a team or for the junior
program. This can be a contest.
Student Product: Burgee
Extensions:
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Jacqueline Singer, Head of the Bay Club; Emlie Barkow
Bubble Trail
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
To learn wind direction
Appropriate Age Level: 6-8; 8-10
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: All
Set-up Time Required: 0-15 minutes
Activity Time Required: 15-30 minutes
Space Requirements: On-the-water
Materials/Resources:
A bottle of bubbles with wand for each boat
Tape to secure bubble (prefer non-marking tape such as blue painters tape)
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Tape a bottle of bubbles to the side of each boat.
2. Have kids dip wands into bubbles while on the water to see which way the wind is blowing.
Student Product:
Extensions:
Build a Boat
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Reward participants for following direction/focusing on lesson
Appropriate Age Level: 8+
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 2+
Set-up Time Required: 0-15 minutes
Activity Time Required: 30 minutes-1 hour
Space Requirements: On-the-water
Materials/Resources: Dozens of Paint or Popsicle Sticks
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Brief sailors on drills and inform them they will be rewarded for performing drill well,
listening, etc. with paint sticks labeled with parts of boat
2. Object is to gather all parts of boat
3. First to do so gets prize (i.e. first to lunch, have others derig their boat)
Student Product:
Extensions:
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Amy Zang
Burgee, Design Your Own
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Learn the history of the burgee
Create your own identity or group burgee
Build team spirit
Appropriate Age Level: Any
Minimum and Maximum Number of Participants: Any
Set-up Time Required: 15-30 minutes
Activity Time Required: 15-30 minutes
Space Requirements:
Materials/Resources:
Scrap pieces of spinnaker cloth from sailmaker
Fabric glue or needles and thread, scissors
Procedure for Teaching:
Have kids design their own burgees using scrap spinnaker cloth. Research the history of
burgees. Fly burgees from the rigging of their boat.
Student Product:
Extensions:
Captain’s Coming
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Terminology - Learn Parts of the Boat
Appropriate Age Level: 8+
Number of Participants: 6 – 20
Set-up Time Required: 0-15 minutes
Activity Time Required: 15-30 minutes
Space Requirements:
Open area (floor, sidewalk, parking lot, deck) to trace out boat shape
Materials/Resources:
1) Chalk to trace out boat shape
Procedure for Teaching:
1) “Simon Says” with “Captain Says” plugged in.
2) “Captain Say go to…” bow, stern, starboard, port, etc.
3) Other fun movements plugged in (e.g. swab the decks with mopping motion)
Student Product: N/A
Extensions: N/A
Reflection:
Contributor(s): C. Harman, Norwalk Yacht Club
Capture the Flag
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Build teamwork, exercise, fun
Appropriate Age Level: 8+
Number of Participants: 10+
Set-up Time Required:
Activity Time Required: 30+ minutes
Space Requirements:
Open field or area to run around in, on-the-water (with kayaks)
Materials/Resources:
1) Divider between the two sides, which can be as simple as a long line
2) Flags for each side which can be a shirt, life jacket or shoes
Procedure for Teaching:
1) Each team has its own territory in which its team members are free to move as they please,
but on which opponents enter at their peril. The territories are separated by a boundary line
such as a brook or a trail, etc. Any participant crossing this line may be captured by the
enemy.
2) The teams assemble close together at a starting point near the center of the line, each team in
its own territory. On a signal the teams proceed to set their flags at any point within 200 steps
of the starting point The flags must be visible, although it is permissible to place them as
inconspicuously as possible.
3) After three minutes another signal is given for start of game. The object now is to enter the
enemy's territory, capture the flag, and carry it across the line into home territory without
being caught. Participants may be posted to guard the flag, but not get nearer than 50 feet to
it, unless an enemy goes within the 50-foot circle. They may then follow him.
4) Any participant found in the enemy's territory may be captured by grasping him long enough
for the captor to say "Caught!" three times. When a participant is captured he must go with
captor to the "guard house" - a tree or rock from the boundary line.
5) A prisoner may be released by a friend touching him, provided the prisoner at that time is
touching the guard house with a hand or a foot, whereupon both return to their own territory.
If the rescuer is caught by the guards before he touches the prisoner, he, too, must go to the
guard house. A rescuer can rescue only one prisoner at a time.
6) If the flag is successfully captured, it must be carried across the line into home territory. If
the raider is caught before he reaches home, the flag is set up again at the point where it was
rescued and the game as before. If neither side captures the enemy's flag within the time
agreed up on (say, 1/2 hour) the game is won by the team with the most prisoners.
7) Alternative Rules
a) Hidden Flag - Allow each team to hide their flag out of sight. Before starting the game
allow a scout from each team to be shown where the flag is. He must describe accurately,
to his team, where the flag is. This requires that the scout be very observant.
b) Get Out of Jail Free - All team members caught in the jail can be set free when a single
teammate touches the jail. BUT, they do not have free passage back to their territory.
c) Jail Break - If the game begins to stall, allow the judges to yell "Jail Break." At this
moment all players in both jails are free to escape.
d) Orienteering Skills 1 - Leaders hide flags and give 2 starting points for each team along a
base line. Teams are split in two and sent to the starting points. At the starting point each
group is given a compass bearing to their OWN flag. Each group follows its bearing - if
they do it correctly the flag will be near where the bearings cross. Once each team locates
its flag they will also find a map with bearings to the "enemy flag" which was left there.
The game then proceeds as usual. (Contributed by Mike Mullen, Troop 6, Boston
Minuteman Council).
e) Orienteering Skills 2 - Give both teams maps with starting points marked and bearings,
and let them work it out on the map rather than having to actually walk the bearings.
(Contributed by Mike Mullen, Troop 6, Boston Minuteman Council).
f) Kayaks – Instead of playing on land, same game can be played in kayaks
Student Product: N/A
Extensions: See also US Scouting Service Project at http://usscouts.org/games/game_cf.asp
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Leigh Hammel, Riverside Yacht Club with additional information from
US Scouting Service Project (http://usscouts.org/games/game_cf.asp)
Chalk Boat Relay
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Terminology - teach parts of the boat
Appropriate Age Level: Any
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 4+
Set-up Time Required: 0-15 minutes
Activity Time Required: 15-30 minutes
Space Requirements: 20’ X 20’ parking lot or sidewalk
Materials/Resources: Sidewalk chalk
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Divide the group into two or more teams
2. Have teams line up around parking lot/sidewalk
3. Give first person in each line a piece of sidewalk chalk
4. Instructor call out boat part or provides each team list of boat parts
5. Teams race to draw and label all the parts of the boat
Student Product:
Extensions:
Reflection:
Contributor(s):
Chart Making Sailing Science
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
At the end of the activity participants will be: more comfortable in boats; better able to navigate;
more familiar with body of water; able to name three types of bottom composition; and, sail a
compass heading
Appropriate Age Level: Any
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 1 – 200+
Set-up Time Required: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Activity Time Required: 1+ hour (entire season or more)
Space Requirements: classroom, normal sailing area
Materials/Resources:
1) Create a Lead Line/Sounding Line with: Line marked in feet or meters and weight for end of
line (i.e. mushroom or danforth anchor, bucket filled with cement)
2) Poster board
3) Pencils
4) Notepads/Note paper (one for each boat)
5) Compass (one for each boat)
6) Parallel rules (optional)
Procedure for Teaching:
1) Participants are going chart the body of water they are sailing in by taking depth soundings,
checking bottom composition, finding currents and normal water movement.
2) Activity – Part I: Classroom Introduction:
We are going to be cartographers and map our body of water. Use chart to explain concepts
(i.e. soundings, landmarks, compass rose). We will improve our boat control, steer a compass
heading and need the help of every individual on the boat. Instruct participants how to take a
compass heading (how? Resource?)
3) Activity – Part II: On-water Sampling
This can be done with paddles (canoe or hands) or with wind. Evenly space boats out and
give them a compass heading they are going to follow. Similar to a start of a race. By time
intervals, random by instructor or specific distance have the boats take a depth check with
weighted line. Participants will keep track of information on note pads. You can get as
specific as the group allows. Spend an hour taking depths and then come together to create
your chart.
4) Activity – Part III: Classroom Plotting
An instructor traces or draws the boundary of your body of water on a poster board. Scale
can be set (another lesson) or estimated. The whole group marks their routes in pencil by
freehand or parallel rules and compass headings (helps to trace compass rose). Participants
then record depths, bottom composition, whatever was found. Displaying this chart on the
wall and continue making improvements. With more people each team or small group can
make their own chart. Everyone loves to see their work on display. The possibilities are
endless.
Student Product:
1) One group chart or individual chart (in their log books)
Extensions:
1) Use charts to plan a scavenger hunt or trip
2) Sailing a mark or specific compass heading
3) Study history of cartography
Reflection:
1) How did it go? What could we have done to make the chart more accurate?
2) What other attributes would it be useful to measure? How might we do that?
Contributor(s): Peter Baumgartner, Seacamp (Big Pine Key, Florida)
Catch the Dragon’s Tail
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Teamwork, communication, fun
Appropriate Age Level: Any
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 10+
Set-up Time Required: 0-15 minutes
Activity Time required: 15-30 minutes
Space Requirements: Large open area clear of obstructions for “dragons” to run
Materials/Resources: “Tail” for each dragon can be spare t-shirt, protest flag, bandana,
rag
Procedure for Teaching:
1) Split group in two (or more if more than 20? people in each dragon)
2) Make two single file lines with first person in each line facing each other.
3) Place tail in back pocket or hanging from last person in line
4) Have participants grasp the hips of person in front of them – hang on!
5) On Go! Dragon head tries to capture the “tail” of the other dragon before their tail is caught.
6) If dragon breaks (participants let go of person in front of them) – Stop! Reattach.
Student Product:
Extensions:
Found in New Games/More New Games
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Merry Petitclair
Chase the Coconut
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Boat Handling
Appropriate Age Level: 8-16
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 2-12
Set-up Time Required: 0 -15 minutes
Activity Time required: 1+ hour
Space Requirements: Normal Sailing Area
Materials/Resources:
1) Coconuts (after strong winds) or tennis balls
Procedure for Teaching:
1) Explain to sailors object is to retrieve as many coco’s (or tennis balls) as can be picked up in
boat
2) Boat with most Coco’s (or tennis balls) wins!
Student Product:
Extensions:
1) See also Fetch!
2) No wind Version – sculling, rowing or swimming to collect Coco’s or tennis balls (imagine
swimmers with suits full of tennis balls)
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Daniel Starsong, Big Island Sailing Foundation (Kona, Hawaii)
Clay Boat Building
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
To create a “boat” from a piece of modeling clay that will carry as much “cargo” as possible
Appropriate Age Level: Any
Minimum and Maximum Number of Participants: Any
Set-up Time Required: 0-15 minutes
Time Required for Activity: 15-30 minutes
Space Requirements: Sufficient classroom space for number of participants
Materials/Resources:
Modeling clay divided into equal portions
Containers of water such as buckets, dish pans or large bowls
Pennies or other small weights
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Give each participant an equal size piece of clay
2. Talk about what makes a boat float
3. Instruct participants to mold their clay into a boat
4. Put the boats into the water and see if the design floats. If not rebuild the boats
5. For boats that float, add one piece of “cargo” at a time until the boat starts to take on
water and sinks. Keep count of the number of weights each boat can hold
6. Participants can rebuild their boats based on their observations of others and try again.
7. At the end of the allotted time, the boat that holds the most “cargo” is the winner.
Student Product:
Extensions:
See also Flotsam and Jetsam Boats – same objective (to hold as much cargo as possible)
build boat with found materials or arts and craft supplies
Contributor(s):
Collage
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Creative technique for discussing sailing topic
Appropriate Age Level: Any
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: Any
Set-up Time Required: 15 minutes – 30 minutes
Activity Time required: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Space Requirements: classroom or regular meeting area
Materials/Resources:
1) Old sailing magazines
2) Scissors
3) Glue
4) Oak tag, recycled cardboard or paper suitable for making a collage
5) Markers or pens for labeling
Procedure for Teaching:
1) Explain to participants you would like to make a collage to decorate the junior club or other
area
2) Have one large group or smaller groups select a topic for their collage. Possible topics may
include:
a) Sailing Technique
b) Sailing Adventure to Exotic Places (link with global map)
c) Awesome Boats
d) Wipe Outs!
e) Environmental Awareness
Student Product:
1) Collage to display at club or for participants to take home
Extensions:
1) Create a sailing adventure story illustrated with photos and captions from sailing publications
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Merry Petitclair
Commercial
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Encourage Creativity, Build Pride in Club or Program
Appropriate Age Level: Any
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: Any
Set-up Time Required: 15 – 30 minutes
Activity Time Required: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Space Requirements: classroom, regular meeting area, beach
Materials/Resources:
Procedure for Teaching:
1) Divide the group into groups
2) Challenge them to make a commercial that advertises/promotes your club or program
3) Props, singing and dancing are encouraged.
4) Best commercial wins.
Student Product:
Extensions:
1) Video tape to show Junior Committee, Club or Board of Directors
Reflection:
• What do commercials say about club or program? What do participants find most important
to promote (i.e. racing, sailing, fun, friendship)?
Contributor(s): Emlie Barkow
Crewlywed Game, The
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Team Building
Appropriate Age Level: 8+
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 4+
Set-up Time Required: 0 – 15 minutes
Activity Time Required: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Space Requirements: Classroom, regular meeting area
Materials/Resources:
1) Whiteboard
2) Pen/Pencil
3) Paper (to write questions, record answers)
Procedure for Teaching:
1) Instructors create list of questions BEFOREHAND. Use the following sample questions to
not only have fun but bring up topics you can discuss (please send us more!):
a) The funniest thing that ever happened in our boat was when…? Loosen up, fun
b) The best thing about my crew/skipper is…? Build positive attitude
c) If your boat was filling with water, you skipper/crew would…? Fun
d) As crew/skipper we need to work on…? Identify opportunities to focus on
e) If my crew/skipper saw another boat/ a friend’s boat commit penalty in a regatta and no
one else saw he/she would…? Sportsmanship
2) Divide students into pairs (best if they regularly sail with each other)
3) Half of each pair leaves area with one instructor
4) Instructor/host reads questions to remaining half and records answers
5) Group unites, ask half of each pair the same questions with no input from first respondent
6) Share/Compares answers
7) Discussion
Student Product:
Extensions:
1) Drills or other exercises based on what you learned from answers
Reflection:
• Discuss topics raised. Sportsmanship, Communication, Areas for improvement
Contributor(s): Someone take credit for this great idea!
Dance Contest
(aka Dance Fever, Dance Mania)
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Develop comfort capsizing boats and being in the water with life jackets
Appropriate Age Level: 6+
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 2 participants per boat
Set-up Time Required: 0 -15 minutes
Activity Time Required: 15 – 30 minutes
Space Requirements: On-the-water, normal sailing area, no wind activity
Materials/Resources:
1. Optimist or other boat that can be capsized and stood on
2. Portable music box with dance music
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Put two kids in an Opti, no sail or rig needed
2. When the whistle blows, kids capsize boat
3. Dance contest begins on the bottom of the boat (i.e. the dance floor)
4. Sailors who fall off can be disqualified
Student Product:
Extensions:
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Amy Kellogg, Junior Sailing Association of Long Island Sound
Dead Reckoning Navigation
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Teach navigation by plotting course to a destination
Appropriate Age Level: 14+
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 6 per boat
Set-up Time Required: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Activity Time Required: 1-2 hours
Space Requirements: classroom then on-the-water in powerboat
Materials/Resources:
1. Charts
2. Parallel rule
3. Compasses
4. Dividers
5. Instructions
6. Powerboat
Procedure for Teaching:
Please feel add detail!!!
1. Teach how to read a chart including compass rose, true north, magnetic north
2. Teach course plotting with magnetic headings
3. Teach how to measure and plot distance
4. Compute time to travel course
5. Execute plan in a powerboat or sail to destination when weather permits
Student Product:
Extensions:
Contributor(s): Please take credit for this great idea!
Design Your Own Yacht Club
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Understand what a yacht club or waterfront facility needs, spatial orientation
Appropriate Age Level: 7+
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: Any
Set-up Time Required: 15- 30 minutes
Activity Time Required: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Space Requirements: classroom, normal meeting area
Materials/Resources:
To design:
1) Paper
2) Pens, Markers
To build:
1) Things found along shoreline (i.e. sand, shells)
2) Plywood/Scrap wood for background
Procedure for Teaching:
1) Ask participants to think about and design the ultimate yacht club
2) Provide paper and pens to list the activities and necessary components of a club
3) Have participants sketch their club on paper
4) Collect shells and other materials to “build” club over the course of the summer
5) End of summer contest to present yacht club designs and award winners
Student Product: Three dimensional yacht club models
Extensions:
Incorporate green design – how can the club minimize its impact – boat maintenance, use of
chemicals, recycling
Display or present yacht club designs to club members
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Coco Solsvig, Noroton Yacht Club
Egg Drop, The
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Use found objects to create a protective packaging for an egg such that the egg will survive a fall
from a given height
Appropriate Age Level: 8+
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 2+
Set-up Time Required: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Activity Time Required: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Space Requirements: classroom, location to be able to drop the protected egg from a height of
at least 2 stories
Materials/Resources:
1. Anything found – recyclables, trash, found items
2. Tape
3. Twine
4. Line
5. Raw eggs
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Give kids time to collect found objects to use for padding of egg
2. Instruct kids to build a structure to protect the egg from breaking when dropped from a
designated height
3. Encourage kids to think about flight dynamics when building protective structure.
4. Judge projects on such things as engineering, style, creativity in addition to protective
qualities
5. Give every entry a name and hype up the friendly competitive nature of “The Drop”
6. Drop eggs one by one. After each drop examine package to determine if egg survives
unbroken.
7. Talk about why some structures were successful and others were not.
Student Product:
Extensions:
Contributor(s): Please take credit for this creative idea!
Famous Name Game
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Ice breaker, team building
Appropriate Age Level: 11-15
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 6 - 25
Set-up Time Required: 0 – 15 minutes
Activity Time Required: 15 - 30 minutes
Space Requirements: classroom, normal meeting area
Materials/Resources:
1. Paper
2. Pens/pencils
3. Whiteboard (optional)
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Each person writes the name of a famous person on paper
2. Put names in hat without showing anyone
3. Instructor writes the names of all famous people submitted on board
4. Divide group into two teams
5. Participants try to match the famous person with group member
6. If one team correctly connects participant with their famous person they join their team
7. Continues until all names are guessed
8. Largest team at the end wins
Student Product:
Extensions:
Charades – instead of a famous person put a movie, book or song title in hat; have
person pick one and act it out so team members can guess it correctly within a time
limit (3 minutes)
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Pat Ewing
Fender Flinger
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Teach sailors to pay attention - watch out for boom; fun
Appropriate Age Level: 8+
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 5+
Set-up Time Required: 0 – 15 minutes
Activity Time Required: 15 – 30 minutes
Space Requirements: Open, flat surface (beach, grass)
Materials/Resources:
1) Fender tied to a long line (~15’)
Procedure for Teaching:
1) Instructor stands in middle of circle created by all participants at distance equal to the length
of the fender and line.
2) With the end of the line the instructor beings slowly swinging the fender clockwise on the
ground.
3) Participants have to jump over the fender.
4) If the fender hits a participant they are out and become judges (outside of circle)
5) Coach can go faster and raise the fender (Careful!!!) as the circle gets smaller or participants
prove themselves.
6) Last one to be hit wins!
Beware!!!! – Small children can get knocked down. Not advised to play on asphalt/concrete,
Instructor may get dizzy.
Student Product:
Extensions:
Reflection:
• Ask participants, what was the purpose of that game? Does it relate to sailing? Watch out for
boom?
Contributor(s): Emlie Barkow
Fetch!
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Improve Boat Handling and Tactics
Appropriate Age Level: Any
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 2+
Set-up Time Required: 0 - 15 minutes
Activity Time required: 15 – 30 minutes
Space Requirements: Regular sailing area
Materials/Resources:
1) 3-6 Tennis Balls
2) Dog Chucker (optional)
3) Racing Rules of Sailing
Procedure for Teaching:
1) Dockside: explain to sailors the object of the game is to be the first to retrieve the tennis ball
following Racing Rules of Sailing – SAFETY FIRST! Avoid contact with other boats
2) Load tennis balls and optional dog chucker in coach boat and head to normal sailing area
(hopefully relatively free of other boat traffic)
3) Select two (or more) boats
4) Toss the ball in a (point of sail) direction to match the skill of the sailor or reinforce lesson
(point of sail)
5) Sailors race to pick up ball and return it to coach boat
Student Product:
Extensions:
1) Rally Fetch
a) Using permanent marker place number (point value) on many tennis balls (2 or more per
boat participating
b) Scatter balls in sailing area
c) Sailors collect as many balls as they can until all are retrieved
d) Gather at dock or around coach boat – boat with highest point total wins
Reflection:
1) What technique worked best? Was it sailing straight for the ball?
Contributor(s): Merry Petitclair
Fish Print Tee Shirts
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
To make a tee shirt using fish and other marine shapes; explore and understand fish anatomy
Appropriate Age Level: 8+
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 1+
Set-up Time Required: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Activity Time Required: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Space Requirements: classroom, picnic table or area that can get messy
Materials/Resources:
1. White Tee Shirts (have each participant bring their own)
2. Fabric paint suitable for rolling
3. Small rollers
4. Roller trays
5. Foam brushes
6. Fabric pens
7. Puffy paint
8. Sheets of cardboard (such as from the dry cleaners)
9. Newspaper
10. Cleaning supplies
11. Latex gloves
12. Old shirts for smocks if necessary
13. Whole fish (flat fish such as flounder work great), you can buy a rubber fish
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Buy several whole fish from the fish market. Try to get interesting shapes and sizes.
2. Have the children collect shells, and other interesting objects from the beach.
3. Protect the area with newspaper.
4. Spread the shirts out on a table or floor.
5. Place the cardboard inside each shirt.
6. Use newspaper if cardboard is not available.
7. Have sailors put on gloves and smocks if need be.
8. Roll paint onto the fish and other objects.
9. Press the fish onto the shirts. Use other objects and colors.
10. Complete shirt using puffy pens.
11. Let dry thoroughly.
12. Advise students to wash shirts separately. (Give note to bring home with shirt)
13. When done printing, dissect fish and examine it inside and outside.
Student Product:
Cool fish print t-shirt
Extensions:
Contributor(s): Amy Kellogg, Junior Sailing Association of Long Island Sound
Fishing
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Learn alternate water related activity, nature study/appreciation
Appropriate Age Level: 8+
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: Depending on gear, experienced
fisher(wo)men
Set-up Time Required: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Activity Time Required: 15 minutes – several hours
Space Requirements: Shoreline fishing location or boat
Materials/Resources:
1. Experienced fisher(wo)men with local knowledge
2. Fish pole with reel and line for each participant or two
3. Bait or lore
4.
Procedure for Teaching:
Help? See www.takemefishing.org
Student Product:
Extensions:
1. Build your own fishing pole (with bamboo stick, line, hook)
Reflection:
Contributor(s):
Flotsam & Jetsam Boats
(aka Garbage Boats/Trash Races)
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Fun activity that can teach environmental stewardship (e.g. shoreline clean-up) and boat
characteristics (e.g. stability) by building a from materials found on grounds or near shoreline
Appropriate Age Level: 5+
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 2+
Set-up Time Required: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Activity Time Required: 30 minutes – 1 ½ hour
Space Requirements: Regular meeting area
Materials/Resources:
1. Debris natural and anthropogenic (man-made) found along the shoreline.
2. Arts and craft supplies such as paper for sails can be used to augment what is found on
the shoreline.
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Divide students into a teams (1-4 people per team)
2. Explain the purpose is to build a boat that can win the race in the water (i.e. shoreline,
pool, kiddie pool, rain gutter) – certain time limit, kids are allowed to use anything they
find provided it is not dangerous (i.e. broken glass, rusty metal, needles) to build a boat
3. When complete teams explain their boat name and design concept
4. Boats then launched into a pool, kiddie pool or the water to see which won can win the
race. Straws can be used to supply additional thrust.
5. Winner gets to crush all boats
Student Product:
Boat built from recycled materials to take home or at least show parent at end of the day
Extensions:
1. “Rain Gutter Regatta” – cap the ends of two equal (10’-20’) lengths of rain gutters
and fill with water, participants race head to head by supplying wind via straw
2. “Anything that Floats Race” where participants build boats to race in from items not
meant for a boat – can be large event for the entire program at the end of the season.
3. Build wooden sailboats from scrap wood, cloth and line decorate as desired even add
proper navigation lights, etc. (Merry Petitclair)
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Tuck Northrop, BRYC
Greased Pig Race
(aka Watermelon Relay Race)
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity: Develop team work, manual dexterity
Appropriate Age Level: 8+
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 6-20+
Set-up Time Required: 0 – 15 minutes
Activity Time Required: 30 - 45 minutes
Space Requirements: Beach, waters edge
Materials/Resources:
1. 2-3 small-medium watermelons
2. 1 bottle mineral oil
3. Paper to make ears and nose for pig
4. Tape to secure ears and nose
5. Whistle
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Divide participants in two (or more teams)
2. Have participants stand shoulder to shoulder in waist deep water
3. Staff hand one watermelon to each line
4. At sound of whistle participants pass the “Greased Pig” as fast as they down and back up
the line.
Student Product:
Extensions:
1. Add this activity to day of games and activities (i.e. Olympics, Pirate Day)
2. Component of longer relay race
Reflection:
• How did everyone feel? Equally silly? Why? No one is an expert.
• If one team did exceptionally well, why?
Contributor(s): Bryce Griffith, Tahoe Community Sailing
Harry Houdini
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity: To teach participants to tie knots that work
Appropriate Age Level: 5+
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: Any
Set-up Time Required: 0 – 15 minutes
Activity Time Required: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Space Requirements: classroom, regular meeting area
Materials/Resources:
1) Chair, table, tree or something to tie someone to
2) Multiple lines
Procedure for Teaching:
1) After lessons on knot tying, instructor sits in chair, lays on table or leans against tree
2) Participants have ten minutes to tie up the instructor any way they know how. SAFETY
FIRST!!! Instructor can stop any line in a dangerous or personal area. Rope burn – ouch!
3) Instructor tries to get out (probably, hopefully)
4) Instructor’s turn to tie up participants – CAUTION!!! Are participants and parents
comfortable with this?
5) Participants tied up well by instructors so they can’t escape. Learn how to tie knots better.
6) Participants are not allowed to tie each other (or siblings) up outside of class.
Student Product:
Extensions:
Reflection:
• What is the purpose of this activity?
• How did you do? What could you have done better?
• How does this relate to sailing/boating? The right knot for the right application.
• Did anyone feel uncomfortable being tied up?
Contributor(s): Josh Toso, Laser Performance
Hit Man, Hit Woman
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity: Team building, improve observation skills
Appropriate Age Level: 8+
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 6 - 20
Set-up Time Required: 0 – 15 minutes
Activity Time Required: 0 – 15 minutes to explain, continues for one or more days
Space Requirements: Normal Meeting area
Materials/Resources: None
Procedure for Teaching:
1) Quietly pull aside a participant and make them the Hit Man or Woman before meeting with
the group.
2) Explain to group that you have already designated a “Hit Man or Woman” amongst the group
and that they must catch this person before everyone is “knocked off.”
3) Leaders share with the group the pre-determined “kill” sign which maybe a tug on the ear,
the “OK” sign against the leg or other sign that is noticeable by others but won’t be
accidentally flashed (i.e. running your fingers through your hair).
4) The Hit Man or Woman then tries to systematically knock off the entire group by discreetly
flashing the “kill” sign to one person at a time.
5) If a participant is flashed the “kill” sign they must “die” several minutes later but not
immediately as to make it obvious the Hit Man or Woman is a person in the immediate
vicinity. Encourage elaborate and vocal death scenes for fun.
6) Participants are encouraged to keep an eye out for the Hit Man or Woman flashing someone
else the “kill” sign. If they think they know who the Hit Man or Woman is at the next group
gathering they can point the person. If they are wrong, they killed. If they are right the game
ends.
7) An interesting twist is to secretly make one or more participants “Undercover Agents” that if
flashed the kill sign they don’t die but capture the Hit Man or Woman.
Student Product: N/A
Extensions: N/A
Reflection:
• How do the observation skills of this game translate to sailing? Noticing wind shifts?
other sailors techniques?
Contributor(s): Blaine Pedlow and Rob Crafa, SUNY Maritime College
Human Knot
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity: Team building, Thinking, Leadership, Social Fun
Appropriate Age Level: 9 and up
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 8 to 30+
Set-up Time Required: 0-15 minutes
Activity Time Required: 0 – 15 minutes
Space Requirements: Normal Meeting Area, beach or grass field works best
Materials/Resources:
N/A
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Everyone needs to be in the same general area.
2. Each person needs to hold one hand of two different people.
3. This may require some of the participants to reach across the group.
4. Once everyone has tow hands, you will have ONE human knot.
5. You must unchain the knot to form a circle.
6. If you discover that you have 2 knots in the group, all the more fun.
Student Product:
Extensions:
Contributor(s): Who would like to take credit for this classic?
I Spy
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity: Have fun and improve awareness of environment and
sailing site
Appropriate Age Level: 8 and up
Minimum and Maximum Number of Participants: Any
Set-up Time Required: 0 – 15 minutes
Activity Time Required: 15 – 30 minutes
Space Requirements: normal sailing area
Materials/Resources:
1. Grease Pencil
2. Sailboats
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Create a list of items for students to locate
2. Have kids sail around while look for specific things such as specific types of birds, fish,
floating objects, flags, buoys, etc.
3. When the items are spotted, the kids can record it by writing on their decks with a grease
pencil
Student Product:
1. Log book entry of what they observed
Extensions:
Contributor(s):
Internet Resources
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Stimulate curiosity about sailing and related activities (i.e. weather)
Appropriate Age Level: 8+
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 2+
Set-up Time Required: 0 – 15 minutes
Activity Time Required: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Space Requirements: classroom or regular meeting area
Materials/Resources:
1) List of several popular web sites (www.ussailing.org; www.sailtraining.org,
www.animatedknots.com, www.nationalsailinghalloffame.org, others?)
2) Ideally:
a) Laptop
b) Projector
c) Screen
Procedure for Teaching:
1) Before leaving ask participants to find several web sites at home tonight to share with the
group tomorrow. Participants should be encouraged to e-mail them to instructor for easy
compilation and sharing with the group.
2) Provide a list of key areas:
a) Sailing
i) Club web site
ii) Junior Sailing Association
iii) Local, regional, national and international regattas
b) Knots
c) Nautical Terminology
d) Maritime History
e) Weather
f) Boating Safety
g) Others???
3) Next day have each participant share what they found, display on screen if possible
4) Award prizes for most sites contributed, most useful, most unique, funniest
5) Have students enter the sites into their logbooks or provide photocopy of list for them to
staple into logbook
Student Product:
1) Logbook page full of internet resources for them to explore
Extensions:
1) Participants can each be assigned a topic (i.e. knots) and find the best 3-5 web sites covering
this topic with a short description/review of each.
Reflection:
• What is the best site we found for this topic? Why?
• Are their topics we did not find a good web site but should have?
• Is there an opportunity/need for someone to create a web site about a particular topic?
• If you were designing a web site what would you include? What makes a web site good?
Contributor(s): Merry Petitclair
Jeopardy, Sailing
(aka Quiz-o-Rama)
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Increase knowledge of sailing rules, knots, points of sail, etc.
Appropriate Age Level: 8-14
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 6 - 20
Set-up Time Required: 15 – 30 minutes
Activity Time Required: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Space Requirements: classroom, normal meeting area
Materials/Resources:
1) Index cards with categories (need to compile list)
a) Parts of a Boat
b) Parts of a Sail
c) Points of Sail
d) Terminology
e) More????
2) Index cards with questions (need to compile list)
a) Please submit questions…
3) Whiteboard and Markers for scoring
Procedure for Teaching:
1) In advance, make about 5-6 categories (e.g. knots, points of sail, instructors information, boat
parts, weather).
2) Create five questions for each category valued at 100 – 500 points depending on difficulty.
3) Day of divide into two teams and have them pick a team name.
4) Play jeopardy – flip a coin to see who gets to answer first question, if one team gets a
question wrong the other team can steal the points if they get it correct. Knots can be hands
on.
Student Product: N/A
Extensions:
Add your favorite jeopardy questions
Useful web sites
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Becca Dellenbaugh, American Yacht Club
Jump the Brook
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity: Warm up activity, physical fitness
Appropriate Age Level: All ages
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: All
Set-up Time Required: 0 – 15 minutes
Activity Time Required: 15 – 30 minutes
Space Requirements: Lawn/beach and runway
Materials/Resources:
1. Two pieces of line, each about 10 feet long
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Set up 2 lines parallel to each other at the end of the”runway”
2. Kids run down and have to jump across the line “river” at the end of the lawn.
3. The river keeps getting wider after each of the kids has a turn. Kids are eliminated if they
touch any part of the “river”.
Student Product:
Extensions:
1. Limbo – use line as limbo stick
2. See “Jump the River”
Contributor(s):
Jump the River
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Understand goal setting, team building, tactics - asking successful competitors for tips
Appropriate Age Level: 8+
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: Any
Set-up Time Required: 0 – 15 minutes
Activity Time Required: 15 – 30 minutes
Space Requirements: Small open grass or sandy area
Materials/Resources:
1. Two 15’ lines
Procedure for Teaching:
Individual Goal Setting
1. Explain to participants the objective is to learn about goal setting by seeing how far they
can jump. Have participants set a goal for how far apart they can “Jump Over the River’
2. Set up the lines parallel to each other and 3’ apart
3. Have the kids jump from one line over the other, when they fail to reach have them talk
with successful participants to learn how they do it. Try again.
4. After each turn move the lines further apart until only one participant can make it.
Team Building (requires larger grass or sandy area)
1. Line participants up single file. Place line along their left feet.
2. Have first participant side step to their right as far as they can.
3. Next participant starts from where person ahead of them landed.
4. Continue until all participants have gone.
5. Lay line parallel to first line at the distance reached by the group
6. Challenge group to work together to exceed their first “goal”
Student Product: N/A
Extensions:
Reflection:
1. How could this be used at regattas?
2. Setting goals beforehand.
3. Talking to competitors about what they are doing?
Contributor(s): Jono Peters, Riverside Yacht Club
Kayaking
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Appreciate alternate water activities
Appropriate Age Level: 7+
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: Limited by kayaks available
Set-up Time Required: 15 - 30 minutes
Activity Time Required: 30 minutes – All day
Space Requirements: normal sailing area
Materials/Resources:
1. Kayaks
2. Paddles
3. PFDs
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Organize and inspect kayak equipment before group arrives
2. Brief participants on how to operate kayak, paddling, what to do if capsize, geographic
limits
3. PFD check and kayak assignment
4. Launch kayaks
5. Allow 15 minutes for participants to get comfortable (i.e. when they start splashing or
crashing they are comfortable)
6. Introduce game or activity such as:
a. Follow the leader
b. Individual or relay races
c. Capture the Flag (see Activity)
d. Spiders and Flies (see Activity)
e. I Spy (see Activity)
f. Nature Paddle/Sightseeing/Exploring
g. Water Quality Sampling
h. Fishing
Student Product:
1. Log book entry of new experience
Extensions:
1. I Spy
2. Capture the Flag
3. Spiders and Flies
Reflection:
Contributor(s):
Knights, Cavaliers, and Horses
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Teamwork, Communication, Fun
Appropriate Age Level: Any
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 4, 8 or more preferred
Set-up Time Required: 0 – 15 minutes
Activity Time Required: 0 – 15 minutes+
Space Requirements: grass/soft ground
Materials/Resources: None
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Pair participants up and arrange in the activity area with enough space to move around
a. Make sure kids of appropriate size are paired together (have participants first line
up by size)
2. Instructor explains the goal is to be the last group playing. Each round any group that
does not do the correct command or is the last one to get into position is out
3. Instructor stands in front of the group and explains the commands, “When I yell:
a. Knights – one participant lays on the ground the other stands victoriously over
him
b. Cavaliers – one participant carries the other (not moving though)
c. Horses – one participant sits on the other like riding a horse
4. Make sure instructor is calling the commands and identifying who is called out
Student Product:
Extensions:
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Kurt Thomsen, Lynn M. Walls, Chicago Yacht Club
Knots
(aka Knot Relay Race)
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Teach knots
Appropriate Age Level: Any
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 1+
Set-up Time Required: 15 minutes – 1 hour
Activity Time required: 15 minutes – 1 hour
Space Requirements: classroom or regular meeting area
Materials/Resources:
1. Knot Relay Races
a. Scrap line of various types and length
b. Books or photocopies of different knots
2. Knot Boards
a. 1’X 1’ (or larger) pieces of plywood
b. Different color line, paint or markers to distinguish lines
c. Glue (wood?) or epoxy (messy and expensive) or staple gun to secure line to
board
d. Label maker, labels or paper and tape to label board
3. Practice Boards – with different hardware for practicing knots
a. 2” X 4” two feet long or similar platform for securing hardware
b. Cleat with mounting hardware
c.
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Introduce students to the importance of knots in sailing
2. Explain the different types of line and their purpose
3. Demonstrate knots you will be using:
a. Square knot
b. Sheet bend
c. Figure Eight
d. Cleat hitch
e. Clove hitch
f. Bowline
g. Round turn and two half hitches
4. Introduce knots one at a time giving students time to practice them until they are
comfortable with them or just before they get frustrated
5. Have students practice knots frequently in short intervals (i.e. when they arrive, before or
after lunch, before leaving, at home)
6. After several days of practice, prepare a relay race.
Student Product:
Extensions:
1. Fantastic knot web site: www.animatedknots.com
2. Make practice boards with cleats and posts
3. Make knot boards
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Merry Petitclair; Leigh Hammel, Riverside Yacht Club
Land Skills Relay Race
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Reinforce skill learned in a fun way
Appropriate Age Level: Any
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 4+
Set-up Time Required: 15 minutes – 1 hour
Activity Time Required: 15 minutes – 1 hour
Space Requirements: Open area, beach, field
Materials/Resources:
Depending on activities: (Need to provide detail description of activities at each station)
1. Line for knots
2. Boat for rigging
3. Sails for folding
4. Safety equipment to organize
5. Charts for navigation
6. Index cards for terminology
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Organize a relay race with different stations depending on skills learned and materials
available
Student Product:
Extensions:
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Merry Petitclair
Logbooks
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Make log books to record daily weather, wind speed, skills learned, and activities to improve
observation and writing skills
Appropriate Age Level: 8+
Minimum and Maximum Number of Participants: Any
Set-up Time Required: 0 – 15 minutes
Activity Time Required: 0 – 15 minutes/day
Space Requirements: classroom, normal meeting area
Materials/Resources:
1. Arts and craft materials to make covers
2. Set-uprinted log book pages
3. Line or yarn for attaching covers to pages
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Set-up area inside pages for log books.
2. Include such information as tide, temperature, weather, activities, observations, etc.
3. Have students decorate covers for their log books and sew inside pages to covers.
Student Product:
1. Log books can be kept on a weekly or daily basis by the kids
Extensions:
Contributor(s): Crissy Marshall, Beach Point Yacht Club
Mad Libs
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Creativity, Practice language skills
Appropriate Age Level: 8+
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 2+
Set-up Time Required: 15 - 30 minutes
Activity Time Required: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Space Requirements: Classroom or regular meeting area
Materials/Resources:
1. Sample mad lib printed out to read to group
2. Paper for each person
3. Pens and/or pencils for each person
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Complete one traditional “Mad Lib” with entire group as a demonstration, see
www.eduplace.com/tales or other sources
2. Split the group into teams each making a story with blanks (i.e. noun, verb, adjective) to
fill in.
3. Groups ask each other for nouns, verbs and adjectives as called for in story.
4. After filling in all blanks one person reads each story
Some helpful hints From www.eduplace.com/tales:
Nouns
• A noun is a word that names a person, a place, or a thing.
• A noun that names only one person, place, or thing is called a singular noun.
• A noun that names more than one person, a place, or a thing is called a plural noun.
Person
Place
dentists (plural)
New York (singular)
sister (singular)
zoo (singular)
Julio (singular)
towns (plural)
children (plural)
beaches (plural)
Adjectives
• An adjective is a word that describes a noun. An adjective can tell what kind or how many.
What Kind
How Many
We have a large dog.
Our dog has five puppies.
Our dog has tiny, brown spots.
Many dogs love children.
Verbs
• A verb is a word that can show action. When a verb tells what people or things do it is called an
action verb.
• A present tense verb shows action that is happening now.
• A past tense verb shows action that has already happened.
• A future tense verb shows action that will happen.
Present Tense
Past Tense
Future Tense
Bats hunt at night.
The bats hunted last night.
The bats will hunt tonight.
The bats fly quickly.
The bats flew overhead.
The bats will fly later.
Adverbs
• An adverb is a word that describes a verb.
• An adverb can tell how, when, or where.
How
When
Where
I read books quickly.
I read books often.
I keep my books upstairs.
I read newspapers
slowly.
I always read the
newspaper.
I buy my newspaper
there.
Student Product:
1. Silly story (if appropriate) for camp or club bulletin board
2. Silly story for their log book
Extensions:
1. Place best story on camp or club bulletin board or web site with pictures
2. See Official Web Site www.madlibs.com
3. Sample Mad Libs www.eduplace.com/tales
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Rob Crafa, SUNY Maritime College with supporting content from
www.eduplace.com
MAFIA
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Name game, team building
Appropriate Age Level: 8+
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 6 - 20
Set-up Time Required: 0 – 15 minutes
Activity Time Required: 15 – 30 minutes
Space Requirements:
Open area, regular meeting place, preferably quiet
Materials/Resources: None
Procedure for Teaching:
1) One person is “God” – they moderate game
2) Group sits in a circle with eyes closed and heads down
3) God secretly picks two (2) Mafia members and one (1) Angel; all others are towns people
4) Everyone wakes up and the group votes if they suspect someone to be Mafia
5) If one person is voted out or there are no suspicions, close eyes and heads down again
6) Mafia “wakes up” alone and picks someone to “kill”
7) Then Angel wakes up alone and picks someone to “save.”
8) God then wakes everyone up and tells the story of the night (Which is…..?)
9) Repeat until Mafia is voted out or everyone “dies”
Student Product: N/A
Extensions: N/A
Reflection:
Contributor(s): C. Harman, Norwalk Yacht Club
Main Sheet Joust
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Practice agility, balance, physical fitness and sheeting in and out
Appropriate Age Level: All
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 2+ (in pairs)
Set-up Time Required: 0 - 15 minutes
Activity Time Required: 0 – 15 minutes (best two out of three)
Space Requirements: 5’ X 10’ flat surface
Materials/Resources:
1. Cement blocks (2) – 8” X 8” X 15”
2. 25’-30’ rope (main or jib sheet)
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Set cement blocks eight feet apart
2. Two participants stand facing each other on cement block with rope in their hands
3. Center middle of rope between participants
4. Winner remains on block or pulls rope out of other persons hand completely (sheets in)
Student Product:
Extensions:
Reflection:
• What lessons can we apply from this to sailing? Sheeting technique? Rope Burns? Balance?
Keeping eyes out of boat?
Contributor(s): Who owns this masterpiece?
Mainsail Puzzle
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Critical thinking, Teamwork, Parts of the sail
Appropriate Age Level: 8-10
Minimum and Maximum Number of Participants: Any
Set-up Time Required: 0 – 15 minutes
Activity Time Required: 15- 30 minutes
Space Requirements: Open floor space
Materials/Resources:
1. Old Opti or other sail
2. Scissors
3. Tape
4. Colored markers
5. Glitter
6. Glue
7. Other craft supplies
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Cut an old Opti sail that is no longer used into enough puzzle pieces so that there is a
piece of each student
2. Give each student a piece of the puzzle to decorate.
3. Challenge the students to put the sail back together and identify the parts of the sail.
4. Instructors can use tape to reassemble the puzzle and take a picture of the kids with their
“new” sail.
Student Product:
Extensions:
Contributor(s): Take credit for this beauty!
Mechanics of an Optimist
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Learn how to move the boat with body movement
Appropriate Age Level: 8 – 11 year olds
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 3+
Set-up Time Required: 0 – 15 minutes
Activity Time required: 1 hour
Space Requirements: Open pool, beach or on the water
Materials/Resources:
1. Fully rigged Optimist
Procedure for Teaching:
2. Rig Optimist
3. Have instructor demonstrate and sailors practice:
a. How boat rolls/rocks
b. Leeward heel
c. Fast capsize recoveries
d. Quick bailing techniques
Student Product: N/A
Extensions: N/A
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Jacqueline Singer, Head of the Bay Club
Memory
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
To learn importance of paying attention (even when its not your turn) and following instructions,
team building, ice breaker, fun
Appropriate Age Level: Any
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 4-12
Set-up Time Required: 0 -15 minutes
Activity Time Required: 15 minutes
Space Requirements: 20’ X 20’ open space
Materials/Resources: 16 hula hoops, chalk or colored construction paper
Procedure for Teaching:
1) Create 16 circles of different colors (4-5 colors max.) in a 4 X 4 grid
2) Instructor draws map
3) Draw your own pattern with arrows (make them more challenging with older group)
4) Stand all participants in a line.
5) First participant enters at the starting circle and tries to guess which circle to go to next
6) Instructor says yes or no. If yes they proceed to the next guess. If no they go to the back of
the line.
7) After hearing a no, next person steps in the same pattern made by those that went before
them and the team helps them follow the pattern made by instructor until the full pattern is
completed.
8) If a chold steps in a circle incorrectly during the pattern they go to the back of the line
Student Product:
Extensions:
Reflection:
• How does this relate to sailing? If instructor is providing information to someone on the
water or in class, listen it may benefit you too.
Contributor(s): Laura Owens
Nomenclature
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Understand terminology
Appropriate Age Level: Any
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: Any
Set-up Time Required: 1 hour+
Activity Time Required: 15 minutes – 1 hour
Space Requirements: classroom or regular meeting area
Materials/Resources:
1. Age appropriate photocopied worksheets with fill in the blank
2. Pens or pencils
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Have students fill in the blanks
2. Prizes for first person done correctly
Student Product:
Extensions:
1. Sailing Mad Libs
a. Complete one traditional “Mad Lib” with entire group as a demonstration
b. Split the group in half each making a story with blanks (noun, verb, adjective) to
fill in.
c. Groups ask each other for nouns, verbs and adjectives as called for in story.
d. After filling in all blanks one person reads each story
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Merry Petitclair
Physical Fitness
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity: Get participants more fit to sail better
Appropriate Age Level: 10+
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: Any
Set-up Time Required: 15 – 30 minutes
Activity Time Required: 15 minutes +
Space Requirements: Small open grass or sandy area
Materials/Resources:
• Pull up bar, tree branch
• Hiking bench
Procedure for Teaching:
1) Demonstrate series of exercises for participants to follow:
a) 5 pull-ups
b) 20 push-ups
c) 4 pull-ups
d) 20 push-ups
e) 3 pull-ups
f) 20 push-ups
g) 2 pull-ups
h) 20 push-ups
i) 1 pull-up
j) Sit up sets
Student Product: N/A
Extensions:
Do exercise routine each day and chart improvement of each individual. Set goals for summer’s
end!
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Jono Peters, Riverside Yacht Club
PIE
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Ice breaker, fun
Appropriate Age Level: 5+
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 3+
Set-up Time Required: 5 minutes
Activity Time Required: 5 – 30 minutes
Space Requirements: 20’ X 20’ sandy beach
Materials/Resources: None
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Smooth Sand
2. Skoot lines with your feet in sand to make large “pie with slices”
3. One person is it
4. Everyone stands on lines
5. Go!
6. Run around on lines to avoid “It” – MUST stay on lines
7. Center is safe for one person at a time only
8. New person in center trumps existing person
9. When “It” tags someone they become “It”
10. No tag backs
Student Product:
Extensions:
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Diane Wenzel, Westwind Sailing
Raccoon Circles
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Team building, teach terminology, answer questions, debriefing; good filler while waiting for
others or parent pick-up
Appropriate Age Level: 8+
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 6 - 20
Set-up Time Required: 0 – 15 minutes
Activity Time Required: 0 – 15 minutes
Space Requirements: Open area in classroom, field, or beach
Materials/Resources:
Strong nylon line or webbing long enough for the group to stand in a circle with each member
holding it with two hands.
Procedure for Teaching:
1) Have group stand in a tight circle shoulder to shoulder facing inward (you may need to adjust
the circle by having participants take one step back)
2) Have everyone grab the line tied in a loop with both hands.
3) Grand Prix – Warm-up Fun!
a) Objective: Pass the knot around the circle as fast as you can with everyone passing the
line through their hands.
b) Making “vvvvrooommm” car sounds makes it a funnier as does the leaders changing
direction suddenly with resultant screeching sounds
4) Trust Web
a) Objective: To have everyone able to lean back while holding the line in both hands
b) With feet firmly planted shoulder width apart and hands firmly on the line have everyone
lean back on 1-2-3 LEAN!
c) If group works together, everyone is supported. If not, circle will be broken.
5) Circle Debriefing
a) In the circle, spin the knot through participants hands until instructor says stop!
b) Ask the person with the knot a question or to give feedback from the previous exercise.
What does a halyard do? How did you feel doing your first roll tack?
Student Product: N/A
Extensions:
Dozens of other great Racoon Circles ideas can be downloaded for free from
www.teamworkandteamplay.com, Jim Cain, Ph.D.
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Rob Crafa, SUNY Maritime College
Rain Gutter Regatta
(aka Balsawood Boat Racing)
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Parts of Boat, Sail Shape, Fun
Appropriate Age Level: 8+
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 2+
Set-up Time Required: 1 hour
Activity Time Required: 1 – 4 hours
Space Requirements: classroom, outdoor space for rain gutters
Materials/Resources:
1. Boat kits (see http://www.raingutter-regatta.com/raingutter_regatta_catalog.htm#kits)
2. Two (2) ten foot (10’) long rain gutters sealed to hold water
3. Table, saw horses or similar to hold gutters
4. Running water to fill gutters
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Order boat kits and prepare rain gutters beforehand
2. Participants build/customize their boats or team boat (2-3 students)
3. Participants race boats in heats by blowing on boat sails (“downwind”) with straws if
necessary.
4. Award prizes for not only winning boat but also coolest, most team spirited, most
creative
Student Product:
1. Boat to take home
Extensions:
Cub Scout Leader How-To Book, pages 9-47 through 9-49, ISBN 0-8395-3832-4.
Boat Kits Available at http://www.raingutter-
regatta.com/raingutter_regatta_catalog.htm#kits
Reflection:
Discuss characteristics that helped boats do well? Sail area, etc.
Contributor(s): Dan Leininger and Boys Scouts of America
Rigging Races
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Fun activity to get students comfortable and efficient with rigging boats
Appropriate Age Level: 8+
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: Any
Set-up Time Required: 0 – 15 minutes
Time required: 15 – 30 minutes
Space Requirements: Dock, dolly or trailer
Materials/Resources:
1. Boat and rigging equipment
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Teach students how to properly rig the boat and give them an opportunity to practice
2. 3-2-1 Rig!
3. Individual, team or relay race to see who can rig the fastest. Add time penalties (e.g. 5
seconds for each mistake)
4. Add interesting twists to make it more fun (i.e. blindfold one, make another mute)
5. Finish with a derigging race
Student Product: N/A
Extensions: N/A
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Leigh Hammel, Riverside Yacht Club
Rock Around the River
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Improved understanding of how changes in boat trim and sail trim affect motion and direction of
boat
Appropriate Age Level: 8 - 18
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 2+
Set-up Time Required: 0 – 15 minutes
Time Required for Activity: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Space Requirements: Normal sailing area
Materials/Resources:
1. Sailboats such as Optis, lasers or 420s
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Explain how to drive the boat by rocking and pumping
2. Demonstrate technique
3. Set mark or landmark for sailors to go to
4. Start at dock and race to mark and back
5. Remind students not to try this when racing!
Student Product:
Extensions:
Contributor(s): OK who is owning up to this one?
Rope Rugs
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity: Teach marlinspike skills, Recycle old line
Appropriate Age Level: Any
Minimum and Maximum Number of Participants: Any
Set-up Time Required: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Activity Time Required: 1 hour+
Space Requirements: Large floor space is helpful for large rugs but table tops are
sufficient for smaller projects such as coasters.
Materials/Resources:
1. Old, used, donated lines, sheets, halyards, etc.
2. Resource book with instructions for making “Ocean Plait” or similar project;.
3. Choose instructions that rely on photos and clearly describe “overs” and “unders”.
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Students follow the step by step instructions to create a rug, coaster, etc.
Student Product:
Extensions:
Contributor(s): ???
Sailing Invite
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Create an invitation to take mothers and /or fathers out sailing at the end of the session
Appropriate Age Level: 8+
Minimum and Maximum Number of Participants: Any
Set-up Time Required: 0 – 15 minutes
Time Required for Activity: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Space Requirements: classroom, tables
Materials/Resources:
1. Paper
2. Markers, pens
3. Glue
4. Scissors
5. Magazines to cut pictures out of
6. Cameras and rinting capabilities to use photos of kids, etc.
7. Envelopes
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Layout materials
2. Instruct participants to create an invitation for their parents to come sailing and let them
know what materials are available
3. Send invitations home in envelopes
Student Product:
1. Invitation to take home
Extensions:
Contributor(s): Paul Risseeuw
Sailmakers Patch, Design Your Own
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
1. Keep artistic and everyone involved, excited
2. Teach sailors how to ID sailmakers
Appropriate Age Level: Any
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: Any
Set-up Time Required: 0 - 15 minutes
Activity Time Required: 15 – 30 minutes
Space Requirements: Classroom or tables in the lee
Materials/Resources:
1. Paper
2. Colorful writing implements (colored pencils, markers, crayons)
3. Scissors
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Talk about sail makers and patches – relate to common logos (i.e. Nike, McDonalds)
2. Distribute materials
3. Let sailors design their own logo/sail patch
4. Have each sailor present their logo and explain concept and any symbolism
Student Product:
1. Entry into Logbook
Extensions:
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Kevin Broome, Bic Sports
Ship Shape
(aka Tall Ships Challenge)
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
To identify tall ship rigs – and open the world of Tall Ships to small boat sailors including
opportunities to sail and crew tall ships and/or volunteer a Tall Ships Challenge port events.
Appropriate Age Level: Any
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: Any
Set-up Time Required: 15 – 30 minutes
Activity Time Required: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Space Requirements: classroom, regular meeting area
Materials/Resources:
1) Copies of Ship Rig and Sail Plan handouts (see below)
2) White board and markers
3) Tape
4) Scissors
Procedure for Teaching:
1) Make copies of ship rig and sail plan handouts for each participant
2) Before giving handouts – separate one or more sail rig silhouette from vessel descriptions
3) Give each participant either a sail rig or description
4) Challenge participants to match sail rig with descriptions
5) When everyone thinks they have found their partner tape them on the whiteboard or wall
6) Open discussion – how did we do? Make any changes group agrees.
7) Give handouts to check answers.
Student Product:
• Ship Shape and Sail Plan guides
Extensions:
• Assign each participant a type of boat to research. Report back with a specific example of
sail shape, discuss how rig developed and its advantages and disadvantages.
• Identify country of origin for tall ships, locate on map or globe
• Tall ship visit or sail. Great culminating activity for summer program.
• Sail Plan courtesy of: American Sail Training Association (www.sailtraining.org)
• Sail Ship Rigs courtesy of The Nova Scotia Museum, Department of Tourism and Culture
(http://museum.gov.ns.ca/mma/AtoZ/rigs.html)
Reflection:
• Has anyone sailed on a tall ship?
• Where is the closest tall ship?
• Why are there so many different rig types? What are the advantages and disadvantages?
Contributor(s): Nancy Richardson, American Sail Training Association
The sail plans of sailing vessels were many and varied. Beside differences in original design, a
ship might undergo a number of changes, depending upon the whims of her owner, captain, or
builder, the trade she was used in, or local traditions. These changes were introduced to improve
sailing qualities and to provide a rig that could be handled by a smaller crew, thus paying higher
returns to shareholders.
The silhouettes of vessels overleaf represent different rigs of ships on the east coast of North
America during the mid 1800s to the early 1900s, a period in marine history often referred to as
the "golden age of sail".
Sailing ship rigs can be divided into two broad categories: the "fore and aft rig" (left), in which
the sails lie along the same plane as the ship's fore and aft line; and the "square rig" (right), in
which the sails are rigged athwart (across) the ship. Each rig had certain advantages.
The Fore & Aft Rig
The fore and aft rig, or schooner rig, required only a small crew, and was generally used in the
coastal and fishing trades. Ships with this rig could point higher into the wind and were usually
more maneuverable when working in the changing winds along the coast. The rig was not
limited to coastal schooners, and big fore-and-afters could be seen plying across the Western
Ocean bound for European ports, the West Indies, or South America.
Sloop A fore and aft rigged vessel with one mast is a sloop. In the early 1800s some large sloops
traded with the West Indies, but most sloops in the 19th century were small inshore fishing
vessels. In the 20th century, sloops became the most popular rig for yachts.
Grand Bank Fishing Schooner Schooners have two or more masts with fore and aft sails.
Similar to the famous Bluenose, our example, in addition to all the normal lower sails, carries a
main gaff topsail and a fisherman's staysail set between the masts.
Two Masted Fishing Schooner in winter rig. Her topmast and all light upper canvas have been
struck, and sent ashore.
Square Topsail Schooner a combination of fore and aft sails and small square sails. They were
popular for coastal trading in the early 1800s. Prince Edward Island built a number of topsail
schooners and many were sold in Great Britian. A version with raked masts, called the Baltimore
Clipper, was much favoured by privateersmen in the War of 1812.
Coastal Schooner, the work horse of our coastal trade. She was probably not much more than a
hundred tons, and carried everything from timber and coal to bricks, general cargo, and a load of
hay to offshore island communities. Our schooner is shown with only a main topmast, but many
also carried a fore topmast. Note the yawl boat towing astern.
Ketch A two masted sailing vessel where the mizzen mast is ahead of the rudder. The rig is
similar to a schooner but the main mast (the tallest mast) is the first mast, not the second mast.
Ketches were common in 19th century Europe but rare in Nova Scotia until they became very
popular for yachts in the 20th century.
Four Masted Schooner shown at anchor. This design attempted to reduce individual sail area,
raise tonnage, and still manage with a small crew. In the early days sails were hoisted by hand,
but gradually the gasoline hoisting engine was introduced, saving work, wages, and food. She
could operate with eight hands, and reached 500 to 700 tons. At the turn of the century these
schooners were used in the coastal trade between Canada and the United States, the West Indies,
South America, and some trans-Atlantic voyages were made to Europe and West Africa. Nova
Scotians built and operated between seven and eight hundred big schooners, but by World War I
most had passed out of the picture. Along the New England coast a number of five and six
masted schooners were built, plus one seven master, the steel hulled Thomas W. Lawson.
Tern Schooner a three master built in great numbers all along our shores between 1880 and
1920. These vessels were cargo carriers of between 200 and 400 tons, requiring a crew of six to
eight. Our Tern is shown with all sails set except staysails between the masts. As the years went
by these softwood vessels would become waterlogged, sails would wear out, and spars break.
With the inroads made by the steamer, the old schooners were hard pressed to find a cargo. A
few did survive until World War II.
The Square Rig
The square rig was normally an offshore rig used by vessels making long ocean passages and
taking advantage of the prevailing wind and current patterns of the globe. These ships varied in
size from the small handy brigantines and brigs of a couple of hundred tons to the great full
rigged ships and barques of over two thousand tons. The square rig was also seen in the coastal
trade, where brigs plied their trade up and down the eastern seaboard.
Brigantine, a two masted vessel square rigged on the foremast, with fore-and-aft sails on the
mainmast. The drawing shows a typical Bluenose softwood vessel of about 220 tons, similar to
the Spencers Island built Amazon which later became the famous mystery ship Mary Celeste.
The brigantine is shown with two staysails set between the masts.
Brig, a two masted vessel square rigged on both masts. The brig is a very old and efficient
sailing rig, and the class was still in use up to the very end of commercial sailing ships. Only a
few brigs were built in Nova Scotia yards, but they were very common in European waters.
Barquentine, a vessel with the foremast rigged square, and the other masts rigged fore and aft.
Our vessel is similar to the Maid of England of 750 tons built at Grosses Coques in 1919. She
was the last Canadian commercial vessel to carry a square rig, being abandoned at sea in 1928.
Only a small number of this type were built locally.
Barque or Bark , usually a three masted vessel, the fore and main masts square rigged and the
mizzen mast or after mast rigged fore and aft. The four masted barque was a relatively common
rig on the oceans, but only two were built in Canada. The John M. Blaikie was launched in 1885
at Great Village, and the Kings County launched in 1890 at Kingsport. The barque was a popular
rig, and more of this type were built than all other square rigs combined. The big Maitland
barque Calburga was the last British North American square rigger of large tonnage to be on the
Canadian registry; she was lost off the coast of Wales in November 1915.
Full Rigged Ship, square rigged on all masts. Staysails could be set between the masts.
Outboard of the square sails might be set studdingsails, and above the royals (uppermost sails)
might be set sails with such names as skysail, moonraker, Trust to God, or Angel Whispers. The
ship William D. Lawrence, built at Maitland N.S. in 1874, was the largest wooden sailing ship
ever built in Canada. Towards the end of their careers some ships were reduced to barque rig.
Many were "sold foreign" and many others simply were "lost without trace" or abandoned at sea.
Within the decade of the 1890s and the early 20th century the disappearance of the British North
American square rigger was swift. Iron, steel and steam, plus high insurance rates and low
freights caused most owners to dispose of their fleets. For some years they tramped the oceans of
the world under foreign flags, until finally giving up.
Text and silhouettes by Graham McBride.
You may reproduce Infos for personal and study purposes only. Please credit The Nova Scotia Museum, Department
of Tourism and Culture. Images or text not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without permission from the
Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.
http://museum.gov.ns.ca/mma/AtoZ/rigs.html
Sail Plan (http://www.sailtraining.org/about/sailtraining/world/SailPlan.php)
1
Bowsprit
15
Main Royal Staysail
29
Mizzen Topmast Staysail
2
Martingale
16
Main Topgallant Staysail
30
Mizzenmast
3
Figurehead
17
Main Middle Staysail
31
Mizzen Royal
4
Flying Jib
18
Main Topmast Staysail
32
Mizzen Upper Topgallant
Sail
5
Outer Jib
19
Mainmast
33
Mizzen Lower Topgallant
Sail
6
Inner Jib
20
Main Royal
34
Mizzen Upper Topsail
7
Fore Topmast Staysail
21
Main Upper Topgallant
Sail
35
Mizzen Lower Topsail
8
Foremast
22
Main Lower Topgallant
Sail
36
Crossjack, Mizzen Course
9
Fore Royal
23
Main Upper Topsail
37
Jigger Topgallant Staysail
10
Fore Upper Topgallant
Sail
24
Main Lower Topsail
38
Jigger Topmast Staysail
11
Fore Lower Topgallant
Sail
25
Mainsail, Main Course
39
Jigger Staysail
12
Fore Upper Topsail
26
Mizzen Royal Staysail
40
Jigger Mast
13
Fore Lower Topsail
27
Mizzen Topgallant
Staysail
41
Gaff Topsail
14
Foresail, Fore Course
28
Mizzen Middle Staysail
42
Spanker
Signal Flag Project
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity: To introduce participants to signal flags
Appropriate Age Level: 8+
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: Any
Set-up Time Required: 15- 30 minutes
Activity Time Required: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Space Requirements: classroom
Materials/Resources:
1) Felt: red, white, blue, yellow, and black cut into 4” x 5” pieces
2) Scissors
3) Glue
4) Signal flag reference chart
Procedure for Teaching:
1) Introduce signal flags and their uses. (such as Race Committee….please add others with
details)
2) Using the materials, supplies and reference charts let participants create a complete set of
flags.
3) Have participants create their own set that spells out their names
Student Product:
1) Signal flag set of their name
Extensions:
• Decorate classroom with flags; Post pictures of group members with small signal flags
representing their name around them
• Flag Recognition game? – Land drill with mock race course what do you do if you see this
flag?
• Instructors leave messages for group each day using signal flags. Prizes for the first to figure
it out.
• BEWARE !! Participants will create their own phrases for all to see!
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Jen Kano, Bourne Community Boating
Skill Race
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity: Demonstrate boating skills
Appropriate Age Level: 10+
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 2+
Set-up Time Required: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Activity Time required: 30 minutes+
Space Requirements: Triangular course in normal sailing area
Materials/Resources:
1. Boats
2. Marks
3. Cards for directions
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Set up a triangular or other race course
2. Each boat is given several cards with directions which remain hidden
3. As each boat passes mark during race they pull a card and have to follow directions
BEFORE reaching next mark
4. Directions can include: capsize, derig/rig, 720, anchor
Student Product:
Extensions:
Reflection:
Contributor(s):
Snipe Hunt
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity: Fun!
Appropriate Age Level: 6 – 10 years old
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 6 - 20
Set-up Time Required: 0 – 15 minutes
Time required: 15 – 30 minutes
Space Requirements: Regular meeting area
Materials/Resources:
Any props that can be used for trickery
Procedure for Teaching:
1) Instruct participants that they are going on a “snipe hunt”
2) At a certain time the Snipes will arrive so the participants must be ready to catch them
3) Teach the participants a ridiculous technique for catching Snipes like a weird dance or an
elaborate trap with ropes and buckets
4) Bring them in for a team meeting and tell them that you have heard reports that they are
close.
5) Bring them outside and have them practice the catching technique
6) Enjoy a good laugh when they are told it was made up!
Student Product: N/A
Extensions: N/A
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Tuck Northrop, BRYC
Spider and the Flies
(aka Sharks and Minnows)
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
1. Land Based Activity
a. acclimates younger sailors to listening to the whistle
b. physical fitness
c. land drill for on-water drill
2. On-the-Water Drill
a. Practice boat handling
b. Practice different points of sail
Appropriate Age Level: Any
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 5+
Set-up Time Required: 0 - 15 minutes
Activity Time Required: 15 – 30 minutes (shorter on land, longer on water)
Space Requirements: ½ basketball court or normal sailing area
Materials/Resources:
Land
1. Chalk or line
Water
1. Marks (2)
2. Kayak
3. Sailboats
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Set up straight line representing “the web” with chalk, line or two marks
2. Instructor on foot or in a kayak or row boat is the spider in the web (on the line)
3. On whistles participants on foot (land) or in sailboat (water) must try to cross web
without being “caught” (tagged)
4. If tagged they become a spider (land) or must sit in irons off course waiting for end of
game (water)
5. Additional instructors can be off web to catch flies not running or sailing
6. Last fly wins
Student Product:
Extensions:
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Kevin Broome, Amy Zang
Stick, Stick, Capsize
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Reward participants for good skills, listening, etc.
Appropriate Age Level: Any
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: Any
Set-up Time Required: 0 – 15 minutes
Activity Time required: 15 – 30 minutes
Space Requirements: Normal sailing area
Materials/Resources: Paint stirrers
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Instructor briefs sailors on drills and informs them that if they perform drill well, listen or
other commendable behavior they earn a stick.
2. After earning two sticks, students earn right to capsize
Student Product:
Extensions:
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Amy Zang
Styrofoam Prints
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Appropriate Age Level: Any
Minimum and Maximum Number of Participants: Any
Set-up Time Required: 0 - 15 minutes
Activity Time Required: 1 hour
Space Requirements: classroom, work Tables
Materials/Resources:
1. Ink
2. Rollers
3. Roller trays
4. 5x7 pieces of Styrofoam
5. Pencils
6. Paper
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Fill roller pan with ink or paint,
2. Instruct each student to draw a picture on the Styrofoam using a pencil
3. Roll the ink over the Styrofoam
4. Place a sheet of paper over the inked Styrofoam and roll with a clean roller
Student Product:
1. Sytrofoam print to take home
Extensions:
Contributor(s):
Team Shirts
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Team building activity that is also useful for keeping track of sailors at events
Appropriate Age Level: All
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: Any
Set-up Time Required: 0 – 15 minutes
Activity Time required: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Space Requirements: classroom, outside open space
Materials/Resources:
1. One t-shirt for every person (have students bring their own)
2. Permanent Markers
3. Iron on letters
4. Iron
5. Tie Dye Materials (dye, buckets)
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Put real or nick names on their backs (Iron-ons are cool and look good)
2. Everyone decorates their own shirt (tie-dyes)
3. Let dry.
Student Product: Team T-shirt
Extensions: N/A
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Coco Solsvig, Noroton Yacht Club
Theme Days
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Fun filled day to break up the season
Appropriate Age Level: All – including club staff
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 10+
Set-up Time Required: 1-2 hours
Activity Time Required: 3 – 4 hours
Space Requirements: normal meeting area
Materials/Resources:
1) Donuts
a) Donuts with a hole in the middle – sorry no jelly
b) String
2) Egg Toss
a) Dozens of Eggs
3) Relay race
a) Kayaks with paddles
b) Boxer shorts
c) Shower Caps
d) Swimmys
e) Flippers
f) Other ridiculous gear
4) Costumes
a) Indian Paint Rocks
b) Eye Patches
c) Bandanas
d) Foam Swords
e) Pirate Hats
f) Tattoos
g) Super soakers
5) Pirate Boat and Sails
a) Old boat
b) Old sails
c) Spray paint
d) Paint brushes
e) Rubber gloves
f) Tarps
Procedure for Teaching:
1) Pirate Sails
a) Have one group of participants paint the sails (Skull and Crossbones of course) while
another group paints the boat
2) Competitions
a) Egg Toss
i) Participants get a partner and an egg.
ii) Toss the egg to their partner, everyone who catches it without breaking takes a step
back.
iii) Continue until only one pair remains
b) Donuts on a String
i) Tie donuts on a string to branches of a tree at different heights that can be reached
standing or with the help of a friend
ii) Participants race to see who or which team can eat the most with their hands behind
their back
c) Relay race
i) Participants put on all gear and paddle kayak around mark, undress and tag next team
mate to go.
d) Treasure Hunt
i) Instructors create treasure map and hide treasure so participants have to use lessons
learned (i.e. use a compass) in program to find treasure.
ii) Good hiding spots for treasure:
(1) Up a halyard of a boat
(2) On an anchor line
(3) In a submerged minnow trap or lobster pot on a line tied to a buoy
(4) Buried in the sand
(5) Up a tree
e) More and expanded ideas – Get Crazy!
Student Product:
1. Treasure!
2. Logbook entry of International Foods, geography
Extensions:
1. Olympic Days – dress facility/boats with country flags
2. Fiesta – sombreros for all!
3. Vintage Sailing Day – oldest sailing t-shirt
4. Crazy Hat
5. Pajama Day
6. Rcok Star Day
7. 4
th
of July
8. International Day – each student (with family) brings food from their native country
(with copy of recipe and description of dish’s importance); highlight represented
countries on map/globe
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Jacqueline Singer, Amy Zang
Threshold
(aka Sink the Dink, Titanic)
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
1. Build confidence in young sailors that boat will not sink
2. Teach sailors to stay with boat
3. Emphasize the importance of wearing PFD
Appropriate Age Level: 8+
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: Depends on available boats
Set-up Time Required: 0 - 15 minutes
Activity Time required: 15- 30 minutes
Space Requirements: Calm water adjacent to dock/beach
Materials/Resources:
1. Sailboat hull with tow line
2. No centerboard, rudder, rig and sails – get in way and could get damaged
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Explain to sailors the importance of staying with your boat when it capsizes
2. Safety Suggestions:
Have instructors demonstrate the drill first or conduct this activity after sailors have been
in the program a few days, not on the first day after their swim test. Many new sailors
have become panicked during this drill having been trapped under a turtled boat or
submerged/kicked by other flailing sailors.
3. Be careful!!! Use extreme caution with this exercise. Instructors should be extremely
alert in watching swimmers in the water. Have numerous spotters at different vantage
points making sure all participants are accounted for (i.e no one trapped under boat).
4. Remember to count sailors going in the water and coming out of the water.
5. Be aware some sailors may not be comfortable in the water with flailing arms and legs of
many others in the water
6. Ask how many sailors they think it would take to sink the boat
7. Launch hull with numerous staff in position to watch participants
8. Instruct participants to enter water and board boat trying to “sink” it until it swamps or
capzsizes
9. Be sure to count the number of participants entering and exiting the water
Student Product:
Extensions:
1. Have instructors demonstrate drill at beginning of session and allow participants to try it
when instructors and they are more comfortable
2. Try Optimist rowing races with the boats full of water. Allow teams to bail their boats
during the race to see if it helps them go faster and win!
Reflection:
• Did the boat sink?
• Why should you stay with the boat?
• What are some of the dangers? Being trapped under the boat? Tangled in rigging?
Contributor(s): Brandon Workman, Coco Solsvig, Noroton Yacht Club
Tie Dye T-Shirt and Signature
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Create a keepsake for sailing camp
Appropriate Age Level: 6+
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 1+
Set-up Time Required: 1 hour
Activity Time required: ~1 hour to dye, day to dry, day to wash and dry
Space Requirements: Outside area that can get messy
Materials/Resources:
1. Six different color dyes
2. Bath for lye based dye setting
3. Rubberbands
4. T-shirts (order 4 weeks ahead of time, or have students bring them in)
5. Buckets for dyes
6. Water
7. Heat for water
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Order shirts, dyes and lye (4 weeks in advance)
2. Heat water (up to one hour before activity), dissolve dye in buckets or tubs plus one with
lye
3. Put names on shirts
4. Let kids twist up shirts, put rubber bands on shirts and dip it in dye
5. Pull shirt out of dye and twist differently, put rubber bands on and dye again, repeat if
desired
6. Adult staff put shirts in lye bath to set dye
7. Dry shirt in sun
8. Wash shirt to remove excess dye and dry it
9. Let kids sign each others shirts on last day
Student Product:
1. Dyed t-shirt
Extensions:
1. Order dye, t-shirts online to save money
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Warren Collier
Truth or Lie
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Ice breaker
Appropriate Age Level: 8+
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: 2+
Set-up Time Required: 0 – 15 minutes
Activity Time Required: 15 – 30 minutes
Space Requirements: Space for each person to sit or stand
Materials/Resources: None
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Each person thinks of three (3) sailing stories – 2 true; 1 false
2. Tell your stories in any order without revealing which are true and which is false
3. Remaining participants try to guess which is the false story
Student Product:
Extensions:
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Diane Wenzel, Westwind Sailing
What’s Wrong? (with this picture)
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Practice troubleshooting, build confidence and skills in boat rigging and problem solving
Appropriate Age Level: Any
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: Any
Set-up Time Required: 0 – 15 minutes
Activity Time required: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Space Requirements: normal meeting area, dock
Materials/Resources: 1 boat with rigging
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Prior to sailors (who have been taught to rig correctly) arriving rig boat slightly wrong
(adjusted problem to skill level of group)
2. Challenge sailors to identify and correct problem(s)
Add common mistakes for:
Optimist Bic Open Laser 420
1. 1. 1. 1.
2. 2. 2. 2.
3. 3. 3. 3.
3. Ask sailors simplest way to fix problem
4. Have sailors fix it
Student Product: None
Extensions:
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Kevin Broome
Vermonster
Goal, Objective or Purpose of Activity:
Focus group on objective (i.e. sailing to a point, upwind); team building
Appropriate Age Level: Any
Minimum/Maximum Number of Participants: Any
Set-up Time Required: 0 – 15 minures
Activity Time required: 1 – 3 hours
Space Requirements: Normal sailing area
Materials/Resources: sailboats, coach boats, money for prize
Procedure for Teaching:
1. Sailors are briefed on objective (i.e. practice sailing upwind to “Ice Cream Island”)
2. If everyone in group makes it to “Ice Cream Island” by specified time instructors will by
sail ors “Vermonster” (Ben & Jerry’s Sundae with one scoop of every flavor in store) to
share
Student Product:
Extensions:
Reflection:
Contributor(s): Amy Zang
Activities Cross Referenced
Boat Handling
Chase the Coconuts
Fetch!
Rock Around the River
Skill Race
Spiders and Flies
Stick, Stick, Capsize
Vermonster
Buoyancy
Clay Boat Building
Flotsam & Jetsam Boats
Rain Gutter Regattas
Threshold
Capsizing
Dance Contest
Stick, Stick, Capsize
Classroom Only/Indoor Activities
Alphabet Lingo
Burgee, Make Your Own
Clay Boat Building
Collage
Commercial
Design Your Own Yacht Club
Fish Print Tee Shirt
Internet Resources
Jeopardy, Sailing
Logbooks
Mainsail Puzzle
Sailmakers Patch, Design Your Own
Ship Shape
Signal Flag Project
Styrofoam Prints
Communication/Creative Writing
Catch the Dragon’s Tail
Collage with Adventure Story
Commercial
Logbooks
Mad Libs
Environmental Stewardship
Collage
Design Your Own Yacht Club
Flotsam & Jetsam Boats
Kayaking
Mainsail Puzzle
Rope Rugs
Geography
Ship Shape
Theme Days
Vermonster
Goal Setting
Jump the River
Ice Breakers
Famous Name Game
Fender Flinger
Greased Pig Race
Human Knot
Knights, Cavaliers and Horses
Mad Libs
Memory
PIE
Racoon Circles
Snipe Hunt
Truth or Lie
Marlinspike Seamanship
Harry Houdini
Knots (i.e. Relay Race)
Land Skills Relay Race
Roe Rugs
Name Games
Mafia
Raccoon Circles
Navigation
Chart Making Sailing Science
Dead Reckoning Navigation
Vermonster
No Wind Activities
Chase the Coconuts (swimming or paddling in dinghies or kayaks)
Dance Contest
Fishing
Kayaking
Rigging Races
Theshold
What’s Wrong (with this picture)
Observation Skills
Bubble Trail
Hit Man, Hit Woman
I Spy
Mafia
Memory
What’s Wrong (with this picture)
On-the-water Activities
Bubble Trail
Skill Race
Physical Fitness
Jump the Brook
Kayaking
Main Sheet Joust
Physical Fitness
Racing Rules
Fetch!
Jeopardy, Sailing
Signal Flag Project
Skill Race
Responsibility
Boat Maintenance
Build a Boat
What’s Wrong (with this picture)
Safety
Fender Flinger
Threshold
Science
Egg Drop, The
Fish Print Tee Shirt – fish dissection
Sportsmanship
Crewlyweds Game, The
Fetch!
Tactics
Fetch
Jump the River
Spiders and Flies
Team Building/Teamwork
Burgee, Make Your Own
Capture the Flag
Catch the Dragon’s Tail
Commercial
Crewlywed Game, The
Famous Name Game
Greased Pig Race
Harry Houdini
Hit Man, Hit Woman
Human Knot
Knights, Cavaliers and Horses
Land Skills Relay Race
Mainsail Puzzle
Racoon Circles
Rigging Races
Team Shirts
Theme Days
Tie-Dye T-shirt and Signature
Terminology/Sailing Concepts
Alphabet Lingo
Captain’s Coming
Chalk boat relay
Jeopardy, Sailing
Land Skills Relay Race
Mad Libs
Mainsail Puzzle
Mechanics of an Optimist
Nomenclature
Racoon Circles
Ship Shape
Signal Flag Project
Wind Direction
Bubble Trail
Spiders and Flies
Vermonster
Other Possible/Needeed Categories:
Arts and Craft Activities
Beach Activities
Field Activities
FUN!
Leadership
Quick Activities (0-15 minutes to set-up; 0-15 minutes to perform)
Resources
Bag of Tricks – Common Props
Tennis balls
Scrap line
Bandanas
Books
American Boys Handy Book, The by D.C. Beard (1182/1983)
Best New Games 77 Games and 7 Trust Activities for All Ages and Abilities by Dale N. Le
Fevre
Cowstails and Cobras II A Guide to Games, Initiatives, Rope Courses and Adventure
Curriculum by Karl Rohnke (1989)
Cub Scout Leader How-To Book, ISBN 0-8395-3832-4.
Dangerous Book for Boys, The Conn and Hal Iggulden ((2007)
Marine Science Marine Biology and Oceanography by Thomas F. Greene (1998)
More New Games by New Games Foundation (1981)
New Games Book Play Hard Play Fair Nobody Hurt, The by New Games Foundation
(1976)
Quicksilver Adventure Games, Initiative Problems, Trust Activities, and a Guide to Effective
Leadership by Karl Rohnke and Steve Butler
Racing Rules of Sailing, United States Sailing Association
Silver Bullets A Guide to Initiative Problems, Adventure Games and Trust Activities by Karl
Rohnke
Start Powerboating Right, United States Sailing Association
Teach Sailing The Fun Way! A guide full of games, activities and initiatives that facilitate
learning by United States Sailing Association
Prizes
No Cost
Allow participants to capsize
Others have to derig “winner’s” boat and put away their gear
Allow “winner” to choose:
o next activity, drill
o where to sail to next
o where to have lunch
o boat (everyone has a favorite)
Allow “winner” to have lunch first
Extended swim time
Low Cost
Candy
Allow them to name or decorate boat (Grease pencil)
Web Sites
Decorations, prizes, costumes:
Oriental Trading - www.orientaltrading.com
Environmental/Marine Science:
Sailors for the Sea – www.sailorsforthesea.org
Fishing:
Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation - www.takemefishing.org
Games, Activities, Training, Books:
High 5 - www.high5adventure.org
Mad Libs - www.madlibs.com
Sample Mad Libs www.eduplace.com/tales
Project Adventure - www.pa.org
Racoon Circles - www.teamworkandteamplay.com
Rain Gutter Regattas - http://www.raingutter-
regatta.com/raingutter_regatta_catalog.htm#kits
Knots:
Animated Knots - www.animatedknots.com
Powerboating:
US POWERBOATING – www.uspowerboating.com
Sail Recycling:
Sea Bags – Used sail recycling into bags – www.seabags.com
Sailing:
American Sail Training Association (Tall Ships) - www.sailtraining.org
National Sailing Hall of Fame - www.nationalsailinghalloffame.org,
Sail Ship Rigs courtesy of The Nova Scotia Museum, Department of Tourism and
Culture - (http://museum.gov.ns.ca/mma/AtoZ/rigs.html)
United States Sailing Association – www.ussailing.org
Additional Activities in Need of Lesson Plans
1. Any activity that relates sailing concepts through land based activities that can be done
during rainy or no wind days.
2. Activities that connect sailing with science, math, English, geography, weather
3. Activities that teach environmental stewardship
4. Croquet Team Racing
5. 400 Question Books
6. Four Square
7. Frisbee Golf
8. Kayak Activities
9. Land Drills
10. Marlinspike Seamanship (see www.animatedknots.com)
11. Monkeys Fist
12. Splicing
13. Pool Games
14. Popsicle Stick Boats
15. Racoon Circles
16. Snorkeling Activities
17. Wiffle Ball
18. Crocheting Team Burge
19. Snorkeling/SCUBA Diving
20. Build and replicate - following Instructions
21. Anything that Floats Race
22. Aquarium keeping
23. Activities from original “Teach Sailing the Fun Way”
24. Sail Bags – teach recycling, new life for old sails
25. Build a boat and provide instructions for others to follow
26. Wilderdom.com/games