Kids Set Sail News

KSS Off to a Great Start!

            Kids Set Sail, a summer camp for children ages 8-15, is off to a great start!  This week we hosted our fourth session aboard Flying Scots and Flying Juniors.  I am very impressed with the quickness in which the campers are grasping all of this new material!  Each week we cover concepts such as: wind direction, rigging and furling, tacking and gybing, knot tying, points of sail, right of way situations, beginner racing tactics, and for students who feel very comfortable, man-overboard and docking scenarios.  The kids have had a lot of fun finding ways to stay cool, walking the counselors through capsize situations, and celebrating the knowledge gained at the end of camp with some ice cream. 

Instructor of the Month

A Message From Blair Overman, Director of Kids Set Sail:

I would like to recognize one of our most dedicated instructors, Justin McManus, for all of the hard work that he has put into camp this summer.  Justin lives in Germany with his Mom during the school year and is able to work with us while visiting his Dad in Maryland this summer.  I am thrilled to have him on my staff!  Justin is typically the first staff member to arrive in the morning and the last working to secure all of our equipment in the afternoon.  He is always willing to take on any task and push his boat to advanced levels while out on the water.  You can immediately discern Justin’s strong sailing abilities because he is always calm on the boats with the kids; it takes a confident sailor to stay relaxed in all situations, trust those around him, and trust his own teaching abilities.  The kids love sailing with him and we will miss him when he leaves us in August to return home!

Sign up Today!

It's not too late to sign up for camp sessions 4, 6 and 7.  If you know of a child that could benefit from a week of gaining sailing skills, building character development, and learning about their surrounding environment, this may be the camp for them!  Scholarships are still available and applications can be found on our website:   http://www.nmhf.org/kids_set_sail.asp. 

Open sessions include:

1. July 28 - August 1*
2. August 11-15
3. August 18-22

*Denotes that this is an intermediate session

DC Sail News

Become a Supermember

Renting Regularly? Racing Routinely? Maybe it’s time to upgrade to a Super Membership! While it doesn’t come with a cape, your contribution does go to support our Kids Set Sail program so you’re a superhero to someone.  Plus, aren’t you getting sick of writing checks and bringing cash every time you come down to the water? Regular members only pay $200 to upgrade, saving $50. Upgrade here

Volunteer of the Month

Prag Katta - Prag has been a DC Sail Instructor for the past few years, and earns our Volunteer of the Month award because of his continuous dedication to instructing Learn-To-Sail courses. Frequently seen at the marina, you can always count on Prag to teach a lesson. Prag has been sailing for 14 years and never wants to waste time on land. Outside of sailing Prag is working on his dissertation in Public Health, while working on the NIH-DC Initiative to Reduce Infant Mortality in Minority Populations.

 

 

 

Meet the American Spirit Crew

Nicole

Nicole became involved in NMHF when she participated in the High School Racing Program. This summer she made the transition into become a crew member on the American Spirit where she helps raise the sails, teach kids during the children's charters and perform maintenance on the boat. Nicole enjoys sailing the American Spirit mostly because it enables her to work with people. In the future, she plans to participate in competitive sailing.

 

Donny

Donny became involved in NMHF in 2006 while participating in Team Champions. His role on the American Spirit is to observe the crew, work with the kids during the educational cruises and make sure they don't pull a man overboard. He enjoys sailing because it provides new experiences, allows him to learn about the wind and in his free time on the boat he likes to feed the ducks! Donny currently attends school where he studies theater performance and he hopes to direct and produce in the future.

 

Nicolette

Nicolette became involved in NMHF when she participated in Team Champions. This summer she became a crew member on the American Spirit where she helps raise the sails and works with the kids participating in children's charters. She enjoys instructing the kids onboard with activities such as Bowin's conondrum which tests how many kids it takes to raise a crew member using a pulley system. She also enjoys sailing the American Spirit because it enables her to meet new people. In the future she plans to study Marine Biology, making her time on the American Spirit just a preview of the water.

 

Edward

Edward became involved in NMHF when he participated in Team Champions. Before this summer henever sailed and now as a crew member on the American Spirit he helps maintaining the boat as well as work with the kids. Edward enjoys sailing the American Spirit mostly because of the surprises that can occur like occasional big waves. In he plans to earn his sailing license and go study music in college.

 

George

George became involved in NMHF when he found out about it while participating in a racing program in Annapolis. On the American Spirit he controls the jib during sails and performing maintenance on the boat while the boat's not sailing. George enjoys sailing the American Spirit because it allows him to be on the water. In the future he plans to continue sailing and buy his own 45' sailboat.

 

Alex

Alex joined NMHF after learning about it through his brother, a former Kids Set Sail instructor. On the American Spirit he helps raise the sails and perform maintenance on the boat, and sometimes lets the kids try to lift him up with the pulleys. He enjoys sailing mostly because it allows him to be on the water.

 

 

 

 

NMHF Gear

Get decked out in NMHF gear at our Café Press store, chock full of goodies emblazoned with your favorite logos. What better way to show your support of our programs than with an NMHF Boat n’ Tote bag or a DC Sail Baseball Jersey, perfect for an American Spirit Baseball and Boating Double Header!

Get your NMHF gear at http://www.cafepress.com/nmhf

 

 

 

Charters

Boating and Baseball Charters

Our "Boating and Baseball Double Header for Two" cruises are booked for the season, but you can still charter the American Spirit for your own Boating and Baseball cruise.

Set your sights on a one of a kind sailing, sporting adventure. You and a group of up to 35 will begin with a sail aboard the schooner, American Spirit, docked at the Gangplank Marina in the DC Southwest Waterfront. Bring some beer or wine to enjoy while sailing past our nation's monuments and memorials down to Old Town Alexandria. Return back to the dock right in time for the game, just a short walk up to the new Nationals stadium where we will provide you tickets for a great night of baseball with the Nat's

• Enjoy an exhilarating afternoon of sailing teamed up with the excitement of a Nationals game in their new stadium
• Begin by arriving at the Gangplank Marina docks and step aboard the American Spirit
• After returning back to the Gangplank Marina, walk the half mile to the new stadium
• Grab your mitt and take your seats - exclusive block of seats ranging from box seats to outfield bleacher seats puts you in the heart of the action. Open the pdf below to see different packages
  • Boating and Baseball Charter Packages
• Head back to your car or the metro and go home with your memories of an adventurous, sports-filled day
• Please see below for available dates and e-mail Alana Rediker at arediker@nmhf.org to reserve your charter.

Everyday Charters

The American Spirit can be chartered any time of day throughout the week or weekends. Host your next office party or family gathering on our 65' Schooner while sailing down the Potomac. To reserve your spot please e-mail Alana Rediker at arediker@nmhf.org