- berkeley12
- Jun 30, 2020
- 2 min read
Kids: "What are we doing today?"
Instructor: "I don't know, (probably do know), let's decide when everyone is here." Or, you could say, "How's the weather look?" Alternately, ask, "What do you want to do?"
General principle: Variety
Different activity each day. Over the course of a summer you will probably repeat activities, but each week, try to make every day unique.
Attendance - Keep a daily record!
Call names out-loud with everyone present. This let's kids learn each other's names, and responses can help you gauge attitudes. Who's eager, shy, motivated, flippant, etc.
Proper Attire - This is a big deal
Kids can be masterfully manipulative when it come to excuses for why they forgot or lost sunglasses or hats. When you take attendance, try this:
Name - "Here" - Lifejacket? "y/n" - Hat? "y/n" - Sunglasses "y/n"
Recognize those fully prepared,
"Good job Lexi, Way to go, Excellent"
Keep an accurate daily record on your roster and reward consistency.
Set clear boundaries, after 3rd omission, "Talk to your parents."
Sun protection is important, so is respect and responsibility.
Lesson - Chalk Talk
"What are we doing today?'
The main idea is to exercise critical thought processes.
Ask questions:
What are the conditions, weather forecast, tides?
Who is sailing and what experience do they have?
How do we want to partner? For safety? For fun?
What equipment is available? (ideally a variety)
Ask kids to make a list of all activities from the prior week.
Keep daily records!
Take photos of your lesson drawings.
Make a list of who is sailing which boats - take a photo.
Consider:
What have students already learned?
What needs to be reviewed?
See the Resources page for lesson topics.
The more you lead students to understand the decision process, the quicker they will advance to Skipper. This builds critical thinking and social skills.
Activity ideas:
Sail to destination (Q Beach, Fun Zone, Genoa, Coast Guard)
Sail to Ocean
Around Buoys
Paddle craft / Mixed Paddle & Sail
Read a Local Chart
Plan a path using wind and sailing knowledge
Calculate Time Speed Distance (how long to sail home?)
Tide Chart and current speeds
Line handling
Knots (Figure 8, Cleat Hitch, Round Turn & Two Half-Hitches, Bowline, Fishermans Bend)
Capsize fun - pile on the boat
Trash pickup contest
Make a Float Plan
VHF Radio (Channel 16, May Day, Pan Pan, Securite)
Small Craft Advisories
Weather patterns
You will have your own ideas to add, here is a sample to get started:
Friendship Courage Adventure
Let us know what you think! Click here.
