A Day in the Life of a Junior Mariner Instructor

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:

Junior Mariner Move-Up and Log Book.

Friendship Courage Adventure

Let us know what you think! Click here.