In 1988 th e Bill of Rights , at right, joined her predecessor New Way in sail training for young ex-offenders.
first time we sailed in a good stiff wind. It was a perfect day, slightly overcast but not cold, gentle seas, great wind and a fine boat that needed to be put through her paces. I chiefly remember that afternoon as a fine and glorious sail with the captain smiling and the Bill heeled over proper,just dancing from wave to wave, riding the gusts and performing like a real queen. On the other hand I've sailed in challenging conditions before. I understand the thunder of the jib shaking, the blocks rattling and the fore-boom sw inging through a tack. It was all new to these kids. " Heeled to the wind" up until now had been a comfortable theory we'd learned in classroom instruction . Noone understood that what it really meant was walking sideways holding on and balancing for dear life just to give a bow report. In fact, all the rough and rugged ambiance that makes sailing exciting to those who love it, usually spe ll s pure terror for novices thrust in the situation for the first time. They came through it, though. The frightened fonns huddled amidships took life at each and every call from a hearty " Ready about," to a quieter "Can someone give me a hand with thi s sheet?" There was no lack of willing hands on the Bill ofRights. Each of these kids was building his own level of courage and findin g in him se lf depths he never knew were there. If in those challenge situations for which YisionQuest is so well known, a kid discovers a source of strength and courage within himse lf, then perhaps when facing the greater challenge of a corrupt and hosti le soc iety, he will think to draw on that source and once again find the strength and courage to push through . This is our hope . .t
Ahove,furling the headsails on New Way in Toronto in 1984 . These 1rainees ha1•e earned /heir way into 1he OceanQuest pmgram. Below, 1he awhor, in redjackel.joins /rainees on /he howspril as dusk setlles in. Trainees and s1ajfshare living quarters and eat the same food, reinforcing 1he ideal of a learn efjorl toward common goals.
Ms. Curtis found "the world/' d been lookin g for" sailin g aboard th e brigantine Young America in 1980 (see SH 18,p. 21 ). Since then she has pursued youth education under sail.
YisionQuest works with ado lescen ts w ho otherw ise wo uld be in stitutionalized. Most are multipl e offenders for whom all traditional approaches have fai led. YisionQuest has hi gh impact programs to break the cycle of failure. "We work with kids who constantly put themse lves on the edge," exp lains founder Bob Burton. "We want to turn that energy to a positive directi on , a way of experienc ing success." VisinnQuesr, PO Box 12906. Ex1011
PA 19347
SEA HISTORY, SUMMER 1989
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