Setting Sail with Teamwork

by Greg Fields, Program & Lead Coordinator

July 2008

This summer, Lead students from New York and Connecticut enjoyed a three-day service learning trip on and off the Long Island Sound.

Fifteen students and three buildOn staff members traveled to our partner for the trip, Soundwaters of Connecticut, to help students learn team building and leadership skills by setting sail on the sound.

Before we got on board, though, the students played games and ice breakers to get to know each other. Afterwards, we broke the group into three 'watches' for the trip, and then helped the Soundwaters staff load the gear on to the boat.

During the trip to Sheffield Island, just off the coast of Norwalk, each watch was assigned to a specific mast on the boat which they were responsible for. The staff was excellent at teaching the students how to set and strike the sail. They also taught the students the different parts of the boat and where to find equipment.   

About midway through the initial trip, the motor was stopped and students set the sails of the boat under the careful eye of the staff. We sailed all the way to Sheffield Island with no major problems, except for a little motion sickness.  

When we arrived, the group formed a chain gang and unloaded the boat and equipment to the island. Each watch was given a specific assignment for the evening hours. ("A" Watch prepared dinner, "B" Watch set the campsite up, "C" Watch cleaned off the boat and prepared it for the night.) 

The following day the students were up early and set off to walk the beach and pick up any garbage that they found for about 30 minutes. Then we headed to the boat and sailed the Long Island Sound again. The students remembered most of the information that the staff taught them the day before. This was very impressive because this was the first time learning this information and, for most students, the first time being on a boat. 

The staff also discussed interesting facts about animal life and the Sound itself. We also had quiet time so students could reflect and write in their journals about their experience so far. It also gave them an opportunity to take in the beauty of the Sound.   

The last day at Sheffield Island was filled with a bit of mixed emotions. The students were happy to go home but they wanted to stay longer as well. In the morning, they were very efficient getting everything prepared and on the boat. The Soundwaters staff was very impressed with how quickly the kids got everything ready. We even had enough time to clean up the beaches a little more before we left. 

During our trip back to Stamford, the students set and striked the sails with very little help from the staff. We also went over the expectations that were set at the beginning of the trip to see what the students had accomplished. There were about 15 expectations that the students had set before we left and we were all excited that the students had met them all. 

The students enjoyed themselves tremendously during the trip. It was amazing to see how they came together as whole.