March 2004 Volume 30 Issue 3  

Sailing

Mariners win first, second, and third in Kemah Christmas Boat Parade

Congratulations to Mariners who participated in the Annual Kemah Christmas boat parade. Mariners and volunteers have been participating in the boat parade for 10 years now, this year the three boats entries won first, second, and third place in their category. Girls participate in work weekends at Camp Casa Mare during the Fall designing themes for the boats and arranging the several thousand lights used during the parade.
Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council also won the “Old Salty” trophy for 10 consecutive years of participation. Save the date for this year, December 11, 2004
1st place boat
Snow White
Theme: Tropicana/Calypso
2nd place boat
First Mate
Theme: Crustacean Christmas
3rd place boat
LaHaina
Theme: Wizard of Oz

AHOY MATIES! There are three ways to sail away with GSSJC!

The Sailing program has three types of sailing opportunities available for girls ages 11 up and in sixth grade who have at least a Red Cross Level IV swim card or better or YMCA equivalent and a GSSJC Safe Boating Test certificate. They are: Just Add Wind and Sails (JAWS) weekends, instruction weekends (including Aquatic Weekends), and Mariner weekends. Adults are always needed to help at any of the weekends; contact the event leader to volunteer!

The Just Add Wind and Sails (JAWS) weekends are designed for girls who meet the above swim/age requirements and have no previous sailing experience or ratings. Girls can participate in a JAWS weekend to see what sailing is like. This is a chance for girls to sail at Camp Casa Mare on Sunfish sailboats and on camp sloops skippered by Mariners (experienced girl sailors). Mariners may earn service hours for ratings advancements by signing up for JAWS weekends. Girls (non Mariners or Mariners) may individually sign up for any JAWS weekend by sending the proper information and fees ($20) to the event registrar on a first come, first placed policy. The cost includes two nights at camp, five meals, and sailing on Saturday and Sunday morning, weather permitting. Remember this is an individual event so all girls must register independently, not as a troop/group. Check the Sailing Calendar in The Golden Link for dates, specifics, contact information, and who to send the registration information, proper fees, and copies of all your certifications (swimming and/or sailing). For more information about JAWS weekends, contact Nicole McInnes at 713-292-0353 or nmcinnes@sjgs.org. Instruction weekends including the fall Aquatic Weekends are for girls and adults with the proper prerequisites to take classes to learn how to sail or to enhance their sailing abilities on Sunfish sailboats, camp sloops, or keeled sloops. Classes are also offered in lifeguard training, first aid and CPR, baby-sitting, canoeing, and other water-related activities at Aquatic Weekends. If you want to learn how to sail and become a Mariner, the first class needed is Basic Sailing. It is offered several times a year for girls and adults who wish to help volunteer with the sailing program. Additional ratings for enhancing sailing skills are also offered. Check the January and April Golden Links for course offerings, dates, and prerequisites for the spring and fall sailing season. Use the Program Registration Form found in The Golden Link, and send the completed form along with the proper fees to the Council registrar. Bring copies of all your certifications, prerequisites, permission slips, and medical forms with you to camp. DO NOT send them with your registration. If you have questions concerning the spring/fall instruction weekends, contact Nicole McInnes at nmcinnes@sjgs.org.
Resident camp offers opportunities to obtain a basic sailing certificate as well as enhanced ratings during the General Sail, Mates, and Seafarers sessions. For resident camp details contact Nicole McInnes at 713-292-0353 or nmcinnes@sjgs.org or check the camp catalog.

Mariner weekends are for girls who have earned an American Red Cross (ARC)
Basic Sailing certificate or an ARC Small Craft Safety-Sailing certificate or GSSJC Seaman rating or higher ratings. Activities on these weekends center around sailing for fun but also include events like Mariner Dinner Theatre, Mariner meetings, and a host of other activities designed by the girls. Only girls who have obtained the “Mariner” rating may attend these weekends. Check The Golden Link for dates and specifics of the various weekends. The cost is $20 for the weekend. Mariners need to use the Program Registration Form found in The Golden Link and send it in to the Council registrar with the proper fees. BRING certifications, permission slips, medical forms with you to camp. DO NOT mail them with your registration. For more information on Mariner weekends contact Nicole McInnes at 713-292-0353 or nmcinnes@sjgs.org.

 

Day Sailing Council Big Boats

The Council has four sloops ranging in size from 22-27 foot and are captained by certified volunteers. Girls with a Red Cross Level IV or YMCA Fish card and the Council’s Safe Boating Test card are eligible to sail. Troops will meet at Pier 5 of the Watergate Yacht Club. Sailing time is at 9 a.m. Boats can accommodate 6-8 girls per boat, depending on the age level; troops should factor in the boat captain, first mate, and troops leaders when reserving the boats. The boats return to the pier at noon.

When: March 20, April 24, May 22
Cost: $30 per boat
Event Code: 10-56-10-6240
Register: Program Registration Form (Send copies of certifications with registration.)
Min: 4
Bring: Sunblock, cap, water, snacks, trash bags

Cost for the day is refundable if the trip is cancelled a week in advance or due to inclement weather. Send copies of swim and Safe Boating Test cards, registration form, and fee to the Girl Scout Center. Bring copies of this information on the day of the sail. Watergate Yachting Marina is located at 1500 Marina Bay Drive in Kemah. For more information contact Nicole McInnes at 713-292-0353 or e-mail nmcinnes@sjgs.org.

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