Beginning in Spring 2025, Take Me to the Water will pilot the Set Sail & Thrive Maritime Adventure Academy. This hands on learning program will partner with the San Diego County Department of Education’s College and Career Readiness Program to bring middle and high school youth to the Maritime Museum of San Diego where they will participate in sailing lessons and gain exposure to maritime design skills and culturally relevant curriculum.

INCUBATING PROJECT…

Pending future funding, Take Me to the Water will feature the construction of a vessel as part of its community-based experiential design. Given the historical prominence of African American mariners in whaling, the project will build a historically accurate 28-foot wooden whaleboat. The project will bring together a Black Boatwright and youth builders. The finished vessel will be available for educational programming and for occasional viewing with Take Me to the Water’s traveling banner exhibition which is on tour now.

Image Caption: (ABOVE) USS Baltimore (C-3): Whale Boat Gig. National Archives, 75840673. (RIGHT) Teaching With Small Boats Alliance participant observing a boat after a workshop in the Northwest Maritime Center Boatshop, Photo by Caroline Collins.