Space Still Available for Sea Challenge Students

Scholarships are available

PORTSMOUTH — Space is available for Seacoast teens to spend a week on a tall ship as part of Sail Portsmouth’s Sea Challenge sail training program, and there is scholarship money available.

As noted by Phil von Hemert, chair of Sail Portsmouth’s board of directors: “No one will be left behind because they cannot afford it.”

The Sea Challenge is offered annually by Sail Portsmouth, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the Seacoast region’s sailing and maritime history through events and programs.

The Sea Challenge offers teenagers in the region an opportunity to participate in a fun, adventure-filled, experiential education program aboard tall ships.

During the sail training program, students join the crew aboard a tall ship, explore the New England coast and learn nautical and seamanship skills like basic navigation, points of sail, helmsmanship, knot tying, communication and ship safety.

Students have returned from past Sea Challenge voyages saying it was the adventure of a lifetime, having become part of a team and discovering a lot about their own capabilities and self-reliance.

This year, the schooner Roseway will provide the learning platform for the entire program. This 137-foot schooner is a registered U.S. National Historic Landmark.

The program begins on Friday, July 23 in Boston and ends on Friday, July 30, in Gloucester. Transportation to and from ports will be provided.

Tuition for this program is $1,500. Full and partial financial aid is available through from Sail Portsmouth. For information and to sign-up, please one of the following:

John Considine at jconsidine@sailportsmouth.org,

Susan Johnson at sjohnson@sailportsmouth.org,

Phil von Hemert at pvonhemert@sailportsmouth.org.