Sailing cruise departs from Annapolis, Maryland, and sails into the Chesapeake Bay aboard a classic, 74-foot wooden schooner.
Goal: To educate the girls about the communication signals and language sailors use, navigation and technology, and how to sail the schooner using an interactive approach.
Availability: For group or private events the program is available anytime. Group Sails can be booked in advance for a flat fee for up to 16 guests on a public cruise. Private events can be booked up to 40 guests for a flat fee. Private events will allow for kids to steer the boat.
2-Hour Cruise Includes: gratuity, taxes, soft drink or bottled water & Schooner Woodwind Participation Patch
How We Teach: During your two-hour cruise aboard the Schooner Woodwind, we take a very interactive approach to educating the girls about sailing. The crew educates by asking questions. This enables our crew to find out their level of interest and knowledge in a fun and interactive way while sharing fun facts.
- Girls will be split into smaller groups (around 8 each)
- Each smaller group will work directly with a crew member
- Girls will cycle through the different learning topic
When they get to the captain’s station, the captain will quiz them on their newfound knowledge.
- When a girl raises her hand and a correct answer is given, she will take a turn helming (steering) the boat.
- It is our intent to offer every girl a turn at the “helm”
Please come with the following information and knowledge:
Sailing Terminology: Familiarize your troop before stepping aboard. We will show them how we use these terms aboard. See Terms Used by Sailors. https://www.schoonerwoodwind.com/about/educational/
Where the Wind is Coming From: One of the most important skills for sailing! Have them practice looking for wind direction a couple of weeks before sailing. This will help them understand how a sailboat moves through the water with just wind. (Have them look at smoke stacks of steam, which way flags are blowing, which way the waves are going, etc. Hint: Licking your finger doesn’t work so well and it’s gross.)
Bring the following items with you:
- Latitude and Longitude of where they come aboard the boat. Have them use 80 Compromise Street, Annapolis, MD 21401.
- Prepare a weather briefing, marine forecast for the Chesapeake Bay (From Sandy Point To North Beach) using https://marineweather.net/coastal/chesapeake-bay-from-sandy-point-to-north-beach-md-coastal-forecast
- High and Low Tide information for the specific date you are sailing.
Curriculum
Curriculum for Ambassadors:
Permission to Board: We will have the girls ask permission before they come aboard. We will tell them where to stow their belongings and what to expect aboard.
- One of the scouts will assist in helping the crew get a final headcount before we leave the dock, and give that count to the on-shore office and the captain.
- The captain will talk briefly about where to sit and what to expect aboard.
- One of the scouts, or a small group of scouts, should present a weather briefing. This shall be read aloud to the captain and passengers to show how the weather may affect the captain’s decision on how many sails to put up and the route to take.
- One of the scouts or a very small group of scouts will accompany a crew member to make a log entry of how many people are aboard, weather conditions, and check any systems before raising sails.
- Scouts that have not helped in other areas will help raise the sails with the supervision of the crew.
Great info to give to the girls before their arrival: Parts of the Boat, Terms Used by Sailors
What to Wear: Since we sail rain or shine, bring gear, so you are prepared for the conditions that are predicted ON the water – layered clothing and soft-soled shoes.
Great info to give to the girls before their arrival: Parts of the Boat, Terms Used by Sailors
What to Wear: Since we sail rain or shine, bring gear so you are prepared for the conditions that are predicted ON the water – layered clothing and soft-soled shoes.
Plan Your Trip
Sailing Schedule
Summer: Late May – August & October, Seven Days a Week
11:00 am – 1:00 pm, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Spring & Fall: Mid-April – Mid-May & September, Seven Days a Week
10:00 am – 12:00 pm, 12:30 – 2:30 pm, 3:00 – 5:00 pm, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Sailing Rates for Private Cruise
Sunday through Friday Daytime:
2-20 passengers $1637.24
21-30 passengers $2455.86
31-40 passengers $2865.17
Saturday trips:
All passengers (up to 40) $3240.93
- Rates include private vessel and service fees, interactive program, tax, sodas, and bottled water.
- Each scout will receive a Schooner Woodwind Participation Patch
We sail rain or shine. There are no refunds or exchanges unless the captain cancels the cruise due to unsafe conditions. “Rain Protection” can be added for an additional fee. This would allow you to cancel and reschedule within our guidelines.
According to the Girl Scout USA safety procedures, all girl scouts, adults, and other children aboard a cruise must be outfitted in life jackets. We have additional Type III life jackets that are more comfortable for non-emergency use.