Super Salty Spirit Stories

Final blog from Ian Helfant ( see also Bev Low's below)

2009-08-15T14:50:00.000-07:00

I’ve had a relationship with Outdoor Ed at Colgate ever since I arrived on campus 11 years ago, but this is the first time I’ve ever participated in a Wilderness Adventure trip with incoming first-years and their peer leaders. In this case, their were additional layers of support and mentorship from the superb crew and captain, as well as Matt McDonnell ’06, who was a student in my 19th century Russian literature class a ways back. The experience turned out to be an extraordinary privilege. Dean Bev Low and I were able to witness and participate in the early community building that underlies Colgate’s approach to education. The boat provided an ideal platform (literally and metaphorically) for both the structured instruction and the informal, sometimes random, conversations that helped our group bond closely and meaningfully in an extraordinarily short time. I was able to bring my own passions for teaching (partly through leading a discussion of Barack Obama’s Dreams from My Father while we sojourned on Great Misery Island), for sustainability as chair of Colgate’s Environmental Council, and for photography as the trip’s “official” photographer onto the Spirit and found that this environment let me connect with students (and with Bev) in a wonderful variety of ways.

On the boat conversations would begin at 1 in the morning while on night watch, continue and develop the following day, and get shared with other students and crew by the participants amidst the alternating bustle and calm of shipboard life. It was inspiring to see how the boat created layers of mentorship in which the students could see what they might become in 2 or 3 years, as embodied in their WA leaders, paths taken by experiential educators, as embodied in the crew (who were mostly in their mid to late 20s), and could turn to Bev Low and me when they wanted to get yet another perspective on Colgate or the many other topics on their minds. It was a superb experience, and I hope to remain in touch with the participants as they begin their Colgate careers.

IMH

FINAL BLOG from Dean Low

2009-08-15T14:48:00.000-07:00

This morning’s sunrise, while standing on bow watch with the 4-8am shift was breathtaking in many ways. The big red ball emerging from the east welcomed a beautiful, sunny Saturday. The sunlight also marked the final leg of our trip as we headed for Boston and the Courthouse Dock. Reflecting on the past four days, I realize what a privilege I have enjoyed – the chance to meet and observe and learn and chat with 15 members of the Colgate Class of 2013. I rarely have the opportunity to spend concentrated blocks of time with members of each incoming class as a small group – this was truly a special treat. The Spirit of South Carolina will now carry a small slice of Colgate with her as she ventures out to sea on future journeys and adventures. In turn, the students will hold all that they have absorbed from the schooner and its crew..

Personally, this trip has reinforced my love of working with college students, especially in what can be considered a challenging, active, and focused environment. There is really no place to hide on a 90-foot deck! Spending time in such close proximity forced us to cooperate, communicate, and collaborate while supporting each other through some occasional “rough seas.” The pure sense of teamwork shined through very brightly, even through the densest of fog and regardless if it was 2pm or 2am.

The crew has been generous, patient, and kind while maintaining clear goals and ensuring a safe journey around the Massachusetts coastline. I have found their professionalism and commitment balanced with good humor and warm personalities. Each officer and deck hand expressed genuine interest in creating a unique learning experience for the students. I was impressed with the ease in which they responded to multiple and often repeated questions. It was particularly enjoyable and memorable for me to become reacquainted with First Mate Emily Harwood ’06 and Program Director Matt “Bear” McDonnell ’06. I am in awe of their expertise – they have certainly inspired these newest students and welcomed them heartily into the Colgate family. I have tremendous respect and admiration for Emily and Matt and I thoroughly enjoyed our early morning chats!

And our Wilderness Adventure (WA) trip leaders, Caroline Callahan ’11, Mike Chamberlain ’12, and Chelsea Hoffman ’11 have been truly outstanding. I have always been a strong advocate for adventure-based learning experiences and recognize the value of pre-orientation programs in helping new student transition to college. The skills, knowledge, creativity, energy, enthusiasm, and heart that our WA team exhibited at the core of the program cannot be matched – each of them is wonderful – we should be very, very pleased and proud to know that they represent Colgate in such a positive and professional manner. They have ensured that each first-year student on board is now better prepared for Colgate and beyond.

Personally, this trip has allowed me to “unplug” and deeply reflect on my profession and my own personal experiences as they might relate to the challenges involved in adjusting and transitioning to a new environment. It also allowed me to view the cities and towns of my childhood from a completely different perspective – from the ocean, rather than the land. The quote by Jan Adkins that Matt shared with us on the very first day of the trip rings true, “Our fragile voyages on its restless surface have only deepened the sea’s mystery, and the open water is still an adventure. It is a strange world holding much to learn about joy, about caution, and about reliance on your own will and cunning. That world’s greatest advantage is its distance from our dry land world, giving us the opportunity to look astern and view our lives ashore in perspective” I know that 15 members of the Colgate Class of 2013 have embraced these words. They are becoming self-reliant. They are “ready on the jib sheet!” They are off to a very great beginning.

BAL

Day 4: Friday AM update

2009-08-14T06:29:00.000-07:00

From the Head Educator:
All is well. currently very light winds, variable. clear skies.
Position: 42,38.39N , 70,19.44W

Will sail south towards boston beginning late morning. Underway tonight
with graduation and then field day tomorrow. Will try to hit dock just
before 11 to off-load students.

Update from Participants:
This morning we're down to about three knots of wind- hopefully we won't
need to turn the motor on to get back to Boston. Over night, we had
smooth sailing, with enough wind to practice our jibe. Some of us even
got to climb out on the bow sprit when we weren't busy. We're hoping the wind
will pick back up for our return

-Stephanie

Day 3: August 13 PM post

2009-08-13T18:55:00.000-07:00

A note from the Head Educator:
All is well. Pos: 42-32.87N x 070-41.66 W
Wind NE force 3. Partly cloudy skies.

We will continue to sail towards gloucester and hopefully continue to practice maneuvering. When appropriate we will turn around and head back towards Boston, but will likely not arrive at the dock until just before 11:00 on the 15th.

Participant update from Stephanie and Markie:
Today, Thursday, we prepared to anchor at Misery Island. We took down and furled all of the sails with all hands on deck. When we got on shore, we took a hike around the island. The view of the shore and surrounding islands was beautiful. After a snack, we all split up to write letters to ourselves reflecting on our past and looking to our future at Colgate. After a picnic lunch, we went to the beach for a swim. It was really cold, but playing water games made it much more fun. We then took the dinghies back to the boat, and raised the sails. After a delicious curry dinner, the winds finally picked up. We are now on our way back home, and are sad that it’s more than half way over.

Day 2 at Sea 8-noon watch report

2009-08-13T03:29:00.000-07:00

Update from Head Educator:
All are well. A great day and colgate student leaders are wonderful.
spent morning watching humpbacks doing full breaches and rest of day
surrounded by minke whales.

Position: 42,34.18N , 70,26.73W
winds 1-2 from E

Currently sailing north, we will spend the night practicing sailing
skills before a potential excursion ashore at Great Misery Island
tomorrow morning for no more than 1/2 day.

Update from Students on 8-noon watch on August 12:
Early this morning, we were lucky enough to have the eight to noon
watch. After a quick breakfast, we mustered on the deck and relieved A
watch. The two of us were actually below deck to clean when we heard
people on deck call out, "Whales!" So, of course,
we dropped everything to come watch. Anyone who wasn't still asleep
found themselves standing at the port (Left) side staring in awe at the
two or three humpback whales. Not only did we see a few fins and tails
flipping, but we also got to see them jump ver
tically out of the water and crash back down. Much to our surprise, and
entertainment, the whales stayed nearby for the rest of the morning,
occasionally spouting near the boat and "waving" to us.
When we first arrived on watch, we noticed another boat sailing
in the distance. Our second surprise came when it moved closer and we
discovered it was another schooner almost identical to ours. The Harvey
Gamage is another learning vessel like the Spirit
of South Carolina. We spent a good amount of time maneuvering the waters
until we were sailing alongside each other. At this point, the Harvey
Gamage played the Darth Vader theme song and even shot a cannon into the
water! Needless to say, we found this e
ncounter to be quite amusing!
Throughout the day we've been learning tons about the boat and
how it works. All three shifts worked together to "Tack" and "Jibe."
We've all learned the different parts of the sails, as well as the "Wind
Clock" or the different terms used to describe whic
h direction the wind is coming from. Different shifts are currently
learning how to tie a variety of knots (many of which are used to secure
sails and lines on the schooner). The weather has been holding up (no
rain or fog :) and it has been an amazing, ev
entful day.

Maggie Dunne
Lindsay Schneider

Spirit Day 2- Am check-in

2009-08-12T05:38:00.000-07:00

A message from the ship's Head Educator:

This morning all is well, spotted several fin whales on dawn watch.
Position: 42,8.3N , 70,13.11W. Wx is overcast with improving
visibility. > 3 nm. Wind E force 1-2

24-hour plan: continue to sail over stellwaggen focusing on sail
handling and building student skills. Gamage has been sailing next to us
for a bit and there is a possibility of playing "follow the leader" as a
sailtraining exercise this afternoon.

A message from the students:

Life aboard the Spirit of South Carolina is sailing by! Already onto our
second day on the ship, we've experienced some heavy fog and spotted
multiple whales. All three watch groups have completed their first watch
shift by now, becoming familiar with the s
ailing terminology and their standing orders. We have spotted another
schooner, the Harvey Gammage and are in contact with its crew. Our first
night at sea was interrupted only by the periodic foghorn or the
occasional tack. We're having a blast so far on t
he Spirit and look forward to whatever adventure lies ahead!

Erin Murray and Cory Berg

Day one on the ship

2009-08-11T19:46:00.000-07:00

Weather: Overcast, foggy. Wind force 2-3 NE

Pos: 42.08.85N x 070.32.58W
Currently sailing 200 toward p-town. Our plan for the next 24 hours is to sail further into Cape Cod bay allowing students to hone seamanship skills before heading towards stellwagen tomorrow and points further north.

Dear Landlubbers,

Today was our first day aboard the Spirit of South Carolina. We began our journey in Boston from Fan Pier. After bidding our families farewell we played name games before boarding the ship. Once aboard the schooner we learned the ropes on how to use the ropes. Soon after leaving the harbor a thick fog had enveloped our vessel and it got quite chilly. We continued our orientation, which involved fire and man overboard drills, cleaning instructions, and how to use the bathroom aka “the head.” After we learned the basics we descended down into the “foc’sle” or the main salon where we would be sleeping. The size of our living quarters was quaint to say the least. The rest of the afternoon involved making our beds, learning about more sailing, and finally dinner! After dinner “A-watch” took over steering and lookout duties. For some bedtime is early because they must wake up early for a 4 am watch. For others bedtime is late because they will be working until 12. Well, that’s it for now. So far it has been an enjoyable voyage. Toodles!

Spencer and Emily

Welcome!

2009-08-07T13:33:00.001-07:00

Welcome! This is the blog for our Spirit of South Carolina trip. We set sail Tuesday, August 11th from Boston, and we will have our students update this blog daily. Right now, we are preparing lesson plans for the voyage and we are so excited to meet the incoming Colgate freshmen!
Get pumped!

Caroline, Mike and Chelsea
WA leaders