I started attending Piers Park Sailing Center as a student at the age of nine and I fell in love with it. This photo reminds me of when I was the student being taught by my instructor, and how happy and excited I was to learn in a positive and happy environment. Piers Park doesn’t only allow you to grow as a sailor, but also as a person. This summer was my second year being an instructor and I wouldn’t change that for the world. Piers Park Sailing Center is like no other camp that I have been to. Sailing is an amazing sport and it allows you to see the world from a different perspective. I have made many new bonds and friendships out of this wonderful community.
The value that I try and teach the students is confidence. I believe that confidence is one of the most important aspects to growing. Sailing is an amazing opportunity to try something that you may not be used to and be okay with failing. This allows students not to be afraid of taking chances and to put themselves out there.
PPSC is a place where kids can experience the most epic and life changing experiences. A time away from reality, no phones, no WiFi, and just pure nature. Sailing in the Boston Harbor you see new things everyday that you may have not noticed before. Seeing the improvement a sailor can have from day one of camp towards the end of the week is incredible. From not knowing parts of the boat to being a skipper and rocking it! Kids can grow tremendously on the water and off. It’s rewarding as an instructor to see the knowledge that you absorbed as a student and then teaching these students that will one day follow in your footsteps in becoming leaders.
My favorite part of the program is the island trips. These trips are for the students to show off what they have learned throughout the week and be rewarded at the same time by getting to enjoy the Boston Harbor Islands. These trips allow the students to all bond, gain friendships, have fun, learn, and most importantly eat a lot of food! Each student gets exited for every Friday, trying to figure out what island we will be going to and whether or not we will be swimming, going hiking, or exploring. I believe that these trips motivate the students to want to learn more and allows them to work hard during the week and be rewarded. Hard work is always shown through all of our students and eventually pays off.
Piers Park taught me that I enjoy working with people and that I want to further my education by majoring in occupational therapy. Working with people became a passion of mine. I love helping kids when they are struggling and helping them overcome it. Piers Park taught me how to become a great sailor, but also a great person. I can’t wait to further my education in this field and also be playing my favorite sport, lacrosse.
–Sophia Gomez
