Party Aboard the Skipjack
As the summer season comes to a close, Ocracoke Alive is focusing attention on the development of new educational programs for the Wilma Lee. Our test run of these on-board student workshops will take place this fall, with a goal of expanded programming in the spring of 2017.
On Labor Day Sunday (September 4th), we are celebrating this next step and hope you can join us, as your contributions can help bring our work to life! Don't miss Tom Pahl's famous grilled shrimp, drinks, and sunset sailing.
Tax deductible donations and RSVPs can be made by clicking here.
The Dockside Party is from 3–6pm at the Community Square Docks, and the Sunset Sail for donors of $100 and up will take place at 6:30 PM.
Make a donation of any amount to join the party. Contributions of $100 or more will also receive space for two on the Sunset Cruise following the party. Space is limited for the sailing, so please RSVP online or call David Tweedie at 252-921-0260.
Thanks for your support of Educational Programming aboard the Skipjack Wilma Lee!
Ocracoke Alive has announced the recent hiring of Laura McClain to serve as part-time Educational Program Coordinator. According to David Tweedie, Ocracoke Alive's Executive Director, McClain's initial focus will be on creating and marketing educational programming to take place aboard the organization's historic sailing vessel, the Skipjack Wilma Lee.
“In the long term, Ocracoke Alive is aiming to grow our educational mission,” Tweedie explained. “We see that mission involving not just the Wilma Lee and not just school-age learners, but all ages and many areas of learning.”
Initially, the organization will work to develop a series of educational programs which will take place around and aboard the Wilma Lee and which will be geared toward middle school students. A book of lesson plans that was developed for Ocracoke Alive by LEARN NC (a spinoff of the UNC School of Education) will serve as a key guide in that process.
Ocracoke Alive hopes to be able to offer half day and then full day programming to both private and public schools around the state, and, of course, to students and teachers on the island.
“The first step in that development is to create a few 90 minute trial lesson plans and offer them for free to local students as Saturday programs,” McClain explained. “We are taking small steps, beginning our programs, but we have plans to expand the content and offerings. Having an outdoor classroom aboard a historic boat will give us a platform for so many learning experiences and possibilities.”
Besides the two programs they are offering next month, McClain described other possible lessons, including a program highlighting the Wilma Lee’s past as an oystering boat. “That's next in the pipeline,” she explained, “but we have a lot of work to do and we have some great on-island experts who we are working with to create a collaborative program.”Ocracoke Alive's initial educational programs will take place Saturday mornings during September. The programs will be hands-on experiences, designed to entertain and educate all ages. Kids (and anyone interested) will gather at the Wilma Lee at the Community Square dock. Programs begin at 9:30 and run for 90 minutes.
"Anatomy of a Sailboat." During this program, students will come to understand the differences between sail boats and other kinds of boats. They will get to tour deep into the structure of the boat. They will examine and take home “scantling drawings” of the skipjack. Students will learn sailing terminology and classic knot-tying. They may even get to take a ride up the mast in a "bosun's chair." (Sept 10 and Sept 24)
"BUOY Bingo - Nautical Charts and Navigation" During this program, students will learn the fundamentals in reading nautical charts, using longitude and latitude hydrographic maps to determining location in degrees, minutes and seconds, reading compasses and learning about nautical symbols. Students will make their own compasses and investigate the variations in magnetic north as well as play a game that will allow them to locate different maritime and historical features in and around Ocracoke Inlet. (Sept 17 and Oct 1)
Please note: for both of these two programs, the Wilma Lee will remain tied up at the dock. Future programs will involve sailing trips in the sound. Interested in participating, please let us know by emailing info@ocracokealive.org or calling 252-921-0260.
