For the past seven years, I have been the supervisor of all things youth-program-related. As Director of Youth Programs, I get to lead the staff of Piers Park to deliver quality programs to the next generation of PPSC sailors. It’s not hard to know what makes a quality program. I just think back to the joy I had when I was a student, and really it all began on my very first day.
The first moment I stepped into Piers Park, I felt an affinity for the place, with its pristine lawn and stunning view. We played a game called Captain’s Coming, broke up into boat groups, met peers, learned parts of the boat, and each student got to steer. I didn’t think it could get much better, but of course it did–an afternoon water fight put the icing on the cake. I still remember that day just as vividly thirteen years later. And thirteen years later, as Director of Youth Programs, I can tell you that the park is as gorgeous as ever. We still play Captain’s Coming, we still create a team spirit within our boat groups, and the kids are still just as thrilled about skippering and water fights.
But beyond even these things, the ultimate, most epic, most adventurous activity of all is the Friday Island Trip. I can’t think of a more exhilarating way to spend the day than navigating through the channels of our busy harbor, filled with barges, tankers, ferries–and of course, alongside the seven other sail boats in our fleet–arriving at an island that feels like its own little world away from the city, hurling an anchor overboard and ensuring its caught on the sea floor, jumping off the boat to swim to shore, exploring dilapidated forts and trails, telling ghost stories and feigning belief in all, discovering sea glass and messages in bottles washed ashore, and finally sailing back home with my crew, knowing that we had done it all together as a team.
If there is one thing that I love most about Piers Park, it’s the Friday Island Trip.
The Island Trip is the quintessential Piers Park activity. Everything we teach for days culminates in a fun and practical demonstration of knowledge. There is so much more at stake when sailing out to the islands. What if you run aground? What if your anchor comes loose? What if a storm hits unexpectedly while you’re far from home? Risk is always part of sailing, but the inherent risks of the island trip really put our sailors to the test, and with facing and overcoming those risks comes an immense sense of accomplishment–not just student sailors, but for Future Leaders, Instructors and Program Directors alike. Everyone stretches on Island Trip day. Everyone has their own little adventure, and feels a little more empowered. Thirteen year later, I still have a sense of wonder renewed after an island trip. Personally, I thoroughly enjoy island trips, but equally so, I love to witness what the island trip does to my Piers Park people. On that day, for some 60-odd young people, I know we’re making a difference.
It’s no surprise that all our staff are graduates of the youth program. The program impacted us, so we want to return the favor. As Director of Youth Programs, it is my responsibility to keep the Piers Park mission alive and well. But more deeply, as a once-upon-a-time-student, it is a matter of pride that these programs and all of our participants and staff are growing. When I witness the Future Leaders who last year were students, the Instructors who last year were Future Leaders, and the Program Directors who last year were Instructors, I know we are thriving as a group.
-Catherine Domina
