April was a Big Month for Tall Ships in Charleston.

 ..and it should mean something to us.

If you're reading this, and enjoy being around Tall Ships, April was a fruitful month to be around the Charleston Harbor.  In the span of two weeks, we hosted, besides Spirit of South Carolina, three other ships, the 3-masted Barque, Gunilla, from Sweden, the schooner Denis Sullivan, and the Staysail Schooner, Corwith Cramer, of Massachusetts.   A fourth,  the Maine Schooner, Harvey Gamage, decided not to put into Charleston, but instead, take advantage of a weather window, and keep on sailing north, home to Portland. 

 The rest were also northbound, homeward to restart up their programs of education under sail- with much the same general mission as our own aboard Spirit of South Carolina.  

 I only point this out as an encouragement for all us volunteers, and others with an affinity for South Carolina's Schooner, that there are other traditional sailing vessels out there which are successful in their mission, same as ours.   We could be, should be doing that too.

Just in case you never read the Mission Statement of "Spirit of South Carolina", it's printed inside the first pages of the Crew Manual, and will highlighted on the ship's website once it's published.  You can read it yourself here:

Mission

SSV Spirit of South Carolina is dedicated to honoring and curating the Seafaring History and diverse Maritime Heritage of South Carolina by offering a unique educational platform for the people of the Palmetto State, in particular her youth.  Participants will experience programs designed around an interdisciplinary hands-on curriculum integrated with the history and literature of South Carolina and our relationship to the sea.  Just as important, Spirit of South Carolina will challenge and engage students with a unique Tall Ship experience which:

·       Builds Pride and a sense of achievement

·       Increases self-confidence and belief in one’s self

·       Encourages Self-reliance/independence

·       Develops Resilience

·       Exercises Self-control/personal discipline

·       Appreciates values of teamwork and cooperation

·       Respects and understands perspectives of others resulting in their own broadened perspective

·       Increases knowledge/awareness of different social groups and increased ability to bridge social differences

·       Fosters Organizational skills and time management

As Volunteers we have potential to play an active role in advancing that mission.  The role is not  defined yet. But perhaps we can help define it ourselves.  How would you see yourself fitting in? 

Let's talk sometime.