“The scouts from Troop 1853 very much enjoyed their time on the water with the team of instructors. The boats and facilities were perfect for the day.
The instructors made it fun for the scouts and exceeded my expectations. Scouts sometimes look at these opportunities much like being in ‘school’. Whether a first-timer, or a person with experience, all the scouts enjoyed the instructors and came away feeling they now knew something new about the sport (and had great fun doing it). Thanks to your whole team for making sure the boys had a first-rate experience.” -Scott Monroe
Are you a teen looking for adventure this summer? Spend a week living aboard a 40′ sailboat sailing the Chesapeake Bay! Check out our trailer with footage from last summer.
Summer is right around the corner! We have a crazy fun schedule planned for this upcoming summer! Camps are beginning the fill up…
Dingy Camp Weeks
June 3-7th: Home school week
June 10- 14th: Home school week
June 17- 21st: Spots Available
June- 24-28th: Spots Available
July 1-5 (No July 4th)-July 8- 12th: Non-profit Week
July- 15-19th: Spots Available
July 22- 26th: Spots Available
July 29- August 1st- Non profit week
August 5- 9th: Spots Available
August 12- 16th: Spots Available
August 19- 23- Non Profit week
May 20-24th- College Cruising Camp
June 23- 28th- Middle School Week
July 7-12th- High school Week
July 21-26th- Middle School Week
August 4-9th- High School Week
We had the great pleasure of taking 10 kids from Aberdeen Boy’s and Girl’s club on a sunset sail! For most of the kids, it was their first time sailing. Theres nothing like seeing the face of fear when the boat heels (tips) change to huge smiles by the end of the trip. Towards the end of our adventure, the kids wouldn’t stop yelling, “MAKE IT TIP!”
The weather is warming up, people are starting to venture outdoors again, and the Chesapeake is just a hop, jump and skip away from Northern Virginia, DC, and Central Maryland. It’s time to start thinking about the breezy bay winds filling our sails under the spring sun.
Capitol Sailboat Club is a division of Planet Hope Land and Sea and provides sailing opportunities for all. Joining a sailing club is a great way for sailors who don’t have their own boat to sail with family, friends and coworkers. It’s also a great way to meet new people and find new sailing partners! Being apart of Capitol Sailboat Club allows you to enjoy sailing all season on the Chesapeake Bay with no maintenance, insurance premiums, marina fees or upkeep costs, all for less than the cost of a slip.
Most boat owners know that the initial cost of the yacht is just the beginning. A typical 30′ boat will usually cost between 5K to 10K per season, just in slip fees and upkeep. A Membership on a similar size yacht in our fleet is under $2500 for the season.
Join on a 23-25′ boat for $1500! You won’t find better value for what our Club has to offer. Check out what is included in a membership.
Come play on the bay with us for the 2011 sailing season!
The day started at 8:00 am with some much needed breakfast at the City Dock in Annapolis. We then gathered as a team in the cockpit for team positions on the boat and a debriefing of the days plans. The plan was to sail about 30 nautical miles to the historical town of St. Micheals on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. After a look at the chart, we were off! We motored to the head of Severn River where we raised our sails in moderate breeze. As the group took turns steering and controlling the two sails, we made our way down the bay passing the beautiful Thomas Point Light House. About 5 miles later we reached the head of the Miles River. Just as we rounded Bloody Point Lighthouse the wind picked up and it was time to test the newly acquired skills of the crew. Everyone took their positions and on the count of 3 we began pointing the boat up the river. The crew simultaneously cranked in the two sails as the boat began to heel and pick up speed! It was amazing seeing everyone work as a team, and the work paid off as we screamed toward our next channel marker. Two of the crew successfully used the GPS to navigate the boat to a bend in the river just 7 miles from our location. Just as we turned the boat, the wind eased off and the crew ate a well deserved lunch. I will never forget sailing down the river and taking turns playing songs on guitar while everyone sang along. At about 3 pm, we arrived tied up at the docks of the Chesapeake Maritime Museum. The group grabbed some cold drinks and explored the museum. We also went into the small quaint town checking out quirky shops. My favorite part of being in town was getting frozen smoothies! What an awesome summer day on the Chesapeake!
One of my favorite parts of Planet Hope sailing camp is that day of the week when we decide that the
wind is right and the sailors are ready to sail to Crystal Mountain! It’s a stretch to really call Crystal
Mountain a mountain, but it is pretty much the highest point we can see from Piscataway Creek, so I
think that it is fair to call it a mountain, relatively speaking. On this day of camp, usually a Thursday or
Friday, we begin our epic adventure by setting a course towards the wide waters of the Potomac River,
but just as we get to the tumultuous zone where the Potomac and Piscataway tides pull at our hearts,
we trim our sails and head north to the shallows that lap away at the Mountain of Crystals. It is always a
heart pounding beach landing as we attempt to navigate the murky shallows where hidden dangers such
as logs that eat center boards and Hydrilla so thick that lesser sailors have been known to lose entire
boats in the weedy tangles. Ah, but once we have landed at Crystal Mountain, the mountain sighs as it
knows that we have landed upon it to pillage its crystals as keep sakes of our epic sail. Some say that
the crystals are pure diamond, others that they are merely quartz, a geologist once tried to tell us that
it was salt (we tasted it, its not salt), but whatever these magical crystals are made of, they are worth all
the struggles of the day and of the week, because we leave that mountain with pockets full of crystals,
boats full of mud, and sense of accomplishment because we sailed to the mountain and we won.
Last weekend, Planet Hope had the sweet privilege to take four returning sailing students on Palakas, an Ericson 28. For several years Planet Hope has partnered with Southeast White House through our summer sailing program. This last summer, we had a group of bubbly kids join us for one of our week long sailing camps at Fort Washington. When George, Brian, Chere, and Lolly walked into our office ready to go sailing last Sunday, I was doubly impressed by their recollection of safety rules, parts of the boat, tacking, jibing and capsize procedure. This afternoon sail was a chance for this group of young people to shine and apply their small boat skills with a bigger keel boat.
Brian led us out of Herrington Harbour while the others helped raise the main and head sails once we were clear of the break water. Kids are kids, which means laughter can’t be far when hanging out with young people. We laughed, relaxed, got adrenaline kickin’ with the stronger gusts, and worked together.
I believe that this group of four strongly demonstrated their potential as great sailors, both on the sea and through life. Southeast White House is known for its incredible mentoring program. I believe young people can do awesome things with their life and I love the innovation that stems from youth. When a young person is paired with a caring mentor, ideas and dreams take shape and can become reality. That encouragement communicates that each person has purpose and value.Planet Hope desires to encourage youth in such a way. Be sure to check out Southeast White House.
Earlier this week, Teen Challenge joined us for a day of sailing. Teen Challenge is a faith based, Christ centered rehabilitation program for adult men who struggle with substance abuse. Captain Jeff Bowen led our afternoon excursion. Capt. Jeff is an awesome teacher and provides plenty of opportunities for hands on learning. After a safety rundown, we cast off the lines. With a little guidance, one of our crewmen, Tim, took the helm and we were on our way. Some of the men had never been sailing and it appeared to be a nice change of pace for these gentlemen. Another gentleman, Rick was a yacht engineer for several years. He took to the Ericson 28 like a natural. It was fun to see each guy take his turn at the helm. I especially enjoyed expanding my Spanish vocabulary. While speaking with Jose, from El Salvador, I was able to practice speaking in Spanish and expand my nautical vocabulary. While attempting to ask Jose if he knew how to tie a bowline knot, I was impressed that he tied a bowline before I could finish forming my question. I am pretty sure he could beat me if we had a timed race. Maybe I will start practicing more often with the goal of matching Jose’s record.
All the guys have different strengths and talents. These became evident throughout our time together. I love the team aspect of sailing and it is a great environment to see how we can function as one unit by teaming up with others whose strengths differ from one another.
It was a leisurely day on the bay. The wind gently greeted us which made for a slow and relaxing sail.
Meet some of the lovely faces of Aurora House. Aurora House residents Myra and Janice (pictured above on the left) took the helm of Jubilee, a Jeanneau 30′. That’s right, we had those girls out sailing a thirty foot boat on the winsome waves of the Chesapeake Bay. Janice had previously joined us at one of our small boat sailing camps at Herrington Harbour South and demonstrated her skills gained earlier in the summer as well as expanded her sailing knowledge. As for Myra, it was her first time sailing and she did really well.
One joy of sailing, is the opportunity to work as a team, both captain and the crew. The more cohesive of a team, the more fluid the sailing becomes. It is exhilarating and yet so peaceful to experience the water with others. It is such a privilege to share the experience of sailing with young people. Facing challenges and growing in recreational activities such as sailing are such a great way to develop relationships with another and experience life together.
Pictured below, Harry Martins, a Planet Hope volunteer coaches Janice on maintaining a straight course. Harry is an avid sailor on the Chesapeake Bay and enjoys sailing a his Hunter 41 in his spare time. Harry has a real knack for getting all our students involved in all the aspects of sailing as well as boosting their confidence. If you are interested in coming out for a day with one of our groups please contact us. We can always use extra volunteers for our sailing events.
