The WaterFront Center is a not for profit marine education and recreation facility in Oyster Bay, New York.  Working in partnership with the tall ship Unicorn, the Center is proud to once again offer area teens the opportunity to live and work aboard a tall ship for a week this summer.

Sail training has long been recognized as a character-building experience for young people. It builds confidence, enhances self-worth and teaches leadership and teamwork skills. This 6-day/5-night program offers the rare opportunity to eat, sleep, and live aboard a tall ship. The ship, the 118-foot Unicorn, will sail between various points on Long Island Sound and beyond.

The program teaches the fundamentals of sailing through team-oriented activities that are challenging and fun. Teens work closely with the ship’s qualified crew: standing watch, learning how to steer the ship, setting sails, navigating a course and learning the skills it takes to operate and maintain a tall ship. Daily discussion sessions work to connect each participant’s seafaring experience with their teenage life on land. The Unicorn is equipped with all the modern conveniences—hot and cold running water, toilets, modern kitchen, comfortable bunks, etc.

Age Group: Boys entering grades 8, 9, 10
Maximum Enrollment: 6 participants per voyage
Fee:  $1,375

Date(s):
Boys Tall Ship Voyages:
Sunday, June 15 – Friday, June 20 - Oyster Bay, NY to Greenport, NY
Sunday, August 3 - Friday, August 8 - Oyster Bay, NY to Oyster Bay, NY

A Personal Journal Entry from a 15-year old female trainee

Day 2
We docked in beautiful Oyster Bay last night. This morning we took our morning swim, which really helped me wake up, and had pancakes and sausage for breakfast. We then pushed off and set sail for Port Jefferson. I was on watch from 12 to 4 this afternoon. The Captain stood with me in the wheelhouse and talked to me about the electronic navigational equipment. It was easy to look at the screen and see where we were and where we were heading. She let me steer for a while too, which made me nervous at first, but then I got the hang of it and felt pretty proud of myself. There was a lot of wind today! The most amazing thing we learned was to climb the shrouds and go out on the yard arms to release the gaskets for the upper topsails. The view from up there was awesome. And, even though getting the sails ready, setting them and then bracing the yards was hard work, when we were done, we were able to sit back, relax and let the wind blow in our faces. It really was an exhilarating day.

To register please call The WaterFront Center at 516-922-7245.
You may also find out more about the Center at www.thewaterfrontcenter.org and more about the Unicorn at www.tallshipunicorn.com.