My Nonprofit Reviews

Over the course of sails, whether four hours or four days, I have seen tremendous improvement in the personas of the youth we have aboard. I have seen students board as bullies and disembark as compassionate crewmembers. I have seen young people make multiple attempts at challenges such as climbing aloft or on the bowsprit, eventually conquering their fears. I have seen children hone in on their leadership abilities - relaying commands or instructions that they have picked up to their struggling companions to help us make forward progress in our next task, such as tacking the boat.

The experiential setting really brings to life the many lessons LAMI offers. Trash floating off the stern as we leave the harbor reminds students how their small decisions of throwing away their chip bag or using reusable storage containers instead of single use plastic make an impact. Actually pulling cold, salty water (and sometimes jumping into it!) help reinforce concepts in water chemistry. Plotting latitude and longitude - both current and desired -the distance between them, factoring in the inputs of the instruments on the control panel, and turning the wheel make mathematical equations like t=ds have real implications, like when we get to eat lunch.

I also benefitted from the programing while a student myself, and have found myself to have grown in my confidence and ability to perform under pressure. I (and so many students) have benefited greatly from seeing the majesty of wildlife such as dolphins, great blue herons, and swordfish on our voyages.