The experience of constructing, launching and sailing a seaworthy vessel makes a life ling impact on the students. With the sailing especially, we can see that now it's in their blood. After a about a week of resistance, we see their instincts take over, and once they get the hang of it, they beg us to get back out after five minutes at the dock. They got their sailing moves down, and became seasoned racers, impressing us and themselves and each other. It's amazing to see what this brings out of the kids.
Funding is a major obstacle to the sailing program.