Spirit of South Carolina

By John Charles Robbins

It's hot — the kind of wet, oppressive heat that makes you feel like a saturated bath towel longing to be wrung out.
I am dripping with sweat, along with 30 others as we board the Spirit of South Carolina for a day sail.
I'm here to learn, and so are the couple of dozen schoolteachers on board this magnificent teaching schooner.
We are ready to learn how to tie knots, hoist sails, plot a course, and which sunblock will work the best for five hours on deck.
I'm no dummy — I have coated myself with layers of lotion powered by an SPF of nearly triple digits, kind of like wearing footy pajamas made of burlap.
The educators in the group are equally prepared, employing hats and bandanas and a few sporting zinc-oxide noses.
As we descend a narrow steep plank to the deck of this grand new ship, eyes are going everywhere to soak up this regal and classy beauty.
"This is a wonderful new experience for me," said Doyle Clifton, an elementary teacher from Beaufort.
He sees the ship as a grand inspiration for children to discover maritime life, past and present.
"It's sad really, that so many people live along the coast and take it for granted," said Clifton.
Once aboard, the first thing you notice is that the ship is a lot bigger than it looks, and that offers some comfort to the folks in the group with little sea experience.
Her dimensions are 90 feet on deck and 140 feet overall. Her waterline is designed at 88 feet and her beam 24 feet, and she is capable of carrying 29 overnight passengers and crew.
This elegant white sailing vessel has graced Charleston Harbor since its launch this spring. The ship is the pride and joy of the South Carolina Maritime Heritage Foundation.
The mission of the foundation is to offer a unique educational platform for students in the Palmetto state, encouraging responsibility, teamwork, and other attributes necessary to become future leaders, while unearthing South Carolina's maritime past.
Beginning in October, the foundation will kick-off its educational programming aboard the ship, with a six-week pilot program of day sails for grades five and six.
The Sea Spray Scout program will focus on exploring math, science, and history as it relates to South Carolina and the sea.
Program curriculum will be correlated to state standards and will include supplemental curriculum with both pre and post sail activities.
The ship's crew and program organizers are hosting groups of educators on day sails during June, July and August.
As the new planks creak and moan against the pressure of the water below and the wind from above, we head out into the harbor and are welcome with a big smile from Capt. Tony Arrow.
"Our goal is to get your input, so we can figure out how best to serve the students of South Carolina," he tells the educators.
Sarah Piwinski, the foundation's Director of Education, tells the guest shipmates that they will be working on this trip, and that's part of the fun.
"You'll get the chance to see what the students can do onboard," she said. The educational stations of many and varied, including physical sciences, water quality, maritime history, navigation and more.
Educator Bob King of Summerville left his sailing experience aboard the Spirit of South Carolina enthused by its possibilities.
"I can see so many advantages — I'm certainly convinced this is a great educational opportunity," said King.
A former social studies teacher, King is beginning his first year as assistant principal at Alston Middle School in Summerville.
"As soon as I saw the ship, I knew the kids would love it," he said.
"I'd like to have one group go this fall, and hopefully in the spring. I plan to talk with our corporate sponsors to see if they will help us," King said. The estimated cost to take one group from Alston is about $875.
King noted that many youths have never had the chance to go to the beach, let alone go sailing.
"This gives them a chance to do activities along the coastline, see the ocean, and explore career opportunities," King said.
For more information about the Spirit of South Carolina and the South Carolina Maritime Heritage Foundation visit the Web site www.scmaritime.org.