The maritime program at the St. Paul’s Schools aims to, “take students to sea and give them an unforgettable experience that brings their classrooms to life, and most importantly teaches each individual about themself.”
Channeling students’ learning and interests into experiences on the water, the boat program offers a wide range of opportunities for students to sail, explore the outdoors, make new friends and discover new passions. A few of these opportunities include building boats in classrooms, learning about marine ecosystems, sailing lessons, overnight trips out to sea with a group of peers and bringing classroom material to life on day-trips to historical, literary or scientific landmarks.
We sat down with Mr. Shipley, founder of the boat program at St. Paul’s, to learn more about what the program has to offer students.
What is the purpose of the boat program?
“Our purpose is to get boys and girls from all divisions — the upper school, the lower school, and the middle school —to have as many experiences on the water, on a boat, on a vessel connected to their curriculum as possible.”
What opportunities does the boat program offer?
“Whatever would be most appealing — if you have an idea, if you have a desire to get out on the water, it’s going to be our job to make it happen for you. Whatever your dream is, if you talk to Mr. Holly or talk to me, we’ll figure out a way to make it happen. We’re just super excited about getting students on the water.”
What motivated you to start the boat program at St. Paul’s?
“When I was a 7th grader here, for my middle school consulting trip, I had a teacher who took me and a couple buddies out on a boat. I had never sailed in my entire life and we went for three days… It was a life changing experience. To this day, I’m huge into boating. I didn’t even know the first thing about sailing [when I went on my first trip in 7th grade]. So, I want this program to impact as many kids as possible in that way.”
What kinds of students might be interested in the boat program?
“I think somebody who’s into an adventure or into the non-traditional experience, who likes the outside. You have to have an appreciation for being outside and you want to think outside the box. Some of these kids are quiet kids who like to read about adventure. You know, they might like to read books about people who sail around the world. This is like bringing that kind of imagination to life. And so it’s really open to all sorts of students.”
What can students learn from being apart of the boat program?
“It teaches students about responsibility, teamwork and leadership.
“Sailing a boat is complex. You can’t do it by yourself. And you may have your time at the wheel, you know where you’re steering and you’re kind of in charge there. And if you’re like, ‘I want these sails brought in,’ you have to be able to coordinate that experience for the crew. I’ve coached football and lacrosse for 30 years and there’s a lot of teamwork, but it’s nothing like the teamwork when you’re making a boat drop. It’s a magical experience and the students really, really learn a lot from it.”
Do you need experience to be apart of the boat program?
“Our passion is to teach people who have no idea how it works. We love to teach kids how to [navigate the water] and so you don’t need to know anything, you just have to be willing to learn. When I was in 7th grade I had never been on a boat before and from that moment on, I spent every moment of my life trying to get back on a boat. And now I have a six pack license. I’m constantly boating…. So on these trips you will have learned a lot for sure.”
What is your favorite takeaway from your time on the water?
“My favorite takeaway is really just the kind of camaraderie, that you’re just standing watch with people that you want to be around. I mean, you learn more about someone at 2:00 in the morning, on watch, then sitting in a classroom with someone for an entire semester. And that, to me, is what makes the experience great. That 7th grade trip introduced me to my best friends. I wasn’t even really that friendly with them, but [after that trip] they became some of my closest friends to this day.
“I also love the challenge of sailing. I mean, to be out in the middle of the ocean, where you’re 500 miles from any land and you don’t see anything that’s man-made. It’s awesome. I’ve seen schools of dolphins swimming, beautiful sunsets. There’s nothing more fantastic than that. And you can have those experiences right here.”
Why should students join the boat program?
“We have this incredible resource in the Chesapeake Bay and it’s 10 minutes away. You know, why don’t we use this to make our school experience come to life? I want to attract all kids to the program, whether they’re really into sports or act in the play. I want all types of kids to feel as though this would be something they would like to do… and I think this would be a really cool way for students to find some sort of passion they might not otherwise have.
“Also, it looks great for college — not that we do everything for college. But colleges do like to see kids that go outside the box and seek adventure like that, and that’s definitely something to consider.”
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