year at a glance:
2007 program highlights

The first three years of the High School On-Water Classroom program have been so successful, and the local Hunts Point community has expressed such strong interest in seeing it grow, that this fall Rocking the Boat expanded the program to include middle school students. The pilot program involved 7th graders from St. Ignatius School, who have so far learned to row, calculate their distance from shore, and most importantly, experience the beauty of their own local natural resource: the Bronx River. A new jolt of On-Water funding is helping to make this growth possible.

On-Water Job Skills was launched in July, joining the year-old Boatbuilding Job Skills Program in Hunts Point. The eight new Apprentices hit the ground (and the water) running, maintaining and monitoring two oyster gardens, acting as environmental educators through the new Saturday Community Rowing Program that brought more than 500 neighbors out on the Bronx River, and implementing a week-long On-Water camp for 20 visually impaired children and their siblings. As well, the Job Skills Advocate, a new guidance counselor, came on board to help steer Apprentices toward their futures after Rocking the Boat.

Three new boat designs were completed this year in the Boatbuilding Program: a Matinicus Peapod, a Maine lumberman's bateau, and a Rangeley Lakes boat. The Rangeley and Peapod, both built at the request of the On-Water Program, have joined the growing fleet of 22 boats and the bateau was built on contract for the Adirondack Museum. Students traveled to Blue Mountain Lake in the fall for the launch.

All 36 On-Water and Boatbuilding students had the time of their lives during a summer sailing adventure on the 131-foot schooner Harvey Gamage. In the words of one first-year student, "I think that people are never really prepared for an experience like this and that is what makes it so exciting. We got to face challenges and experience and learn things that the Bronx doesn't teach us." Numerous other trips took place as well, including: a whitewater rafting adventure on the upper Hudson River, felling and sawing a huge white oak tree at Pete Seeger's house in the Hudson Valley, and four days at the WoodenBoat Show in Mystic, CT.






rocking the boat sails the high seas


This past summer, a long-time dream for Rocking the Boat was realized. Students in first the On-Water and then the Boatbuilding programs got the chance to sail for seven days and six nights between Boston and New York. After the trip was over, students were asked to evaluate their onboard experience. The opinions were uniformly positive and nearly every participant was able to provide an example of how he or she individually contributed to the success of the voyage. Excerpts follow:

The trip challenged me because I didn't think I would learn all those lines, I didn't think that I could steer the boat or be a great lookout... It challenged me to stay away from my family. The challenges that I faced taught me that I can do anything as long as I put my mind to it.

-Sharrell, first year On-Water student, age 17

I think Rocking the Boat should one day take us on a month long sailing trip to another country.

-Rayhaan, first year On-Water student, age 17

I think that people are never really prepared for an experience like this and that is what makes it so exciting. We got to face fears and experience things and learn things that the Bronx doesn't teach us.

-Toniann, first year On-Water student, age 16

When I first got to the Harvey Gamage, I thought we were going to set some sails and relax and jump off the boat for the most part. After the week-long trip I really didn't get to relax that much because my learning expectations were surpassed by so much. This trip really opened my eyes to my love for the water and everything I learned. I think this is something I might want to do... I think Rocking the Boat should continue trips like this, trips that are life changing.

-Zechariah, On-Water Program Assistant, age 18

On the Harvey Gamage, I expected to learn a bit about boats and life at sea. I did not expect all that we did on the trip. We accomplished a lot in a week. Not only that but we had fun, changed as individuals, and learned how to get along as a team.

-Dashawn, first year On-Water student, age 17

...Not always am I selfless, but during this trip I was able to put the well being of my shipmates before my own wants and needs. For instance, if I was off of watch and on deck, I would eagerly volunteer my assistance to the deckhands and other watches. I had a great desire to learn-at times I couldn't help myself, especially on day 5 when I climbed aloft.

-Charles, On-Water Program Assistant, age 20