Age of Sail – San Francisco Maritime Park Association

What a fun experience for students who get to navigate team work, explore a ship, and engage in history-​play! The actors and team were very well attuned to children’s needs and as a teacher, I loved sitting back and watching the children problem solve and the parents sweat!
I read below some whiney reviews from parents and so my word to other educators – don’t invite your conservative, ill –humored, self important and entitled parents; bring the mates who are keen and game! I mean, who doesn’t like to to watch someone else yell at your students now and then? «Insufficient! Do it again!»
I’ve taught for almost two decades in three countries and three states and this is by far the best field trip I’ve ever experienced. Well done, crew.

Our school organized this trip for fifth grade this year. Apparently they were the first one on the ship this year. Kids learned something for sure, like following strict commands, cooking their own food, and making night shifts. But what I don’t like is the sanitary condition. A lot of kids and parent chaperones got bites on the face and arms. Those were huge ones. One kid’s doctor thought those bites were by scrawling ones like bed bugs. The food caused some kids diarrhea afterwards. One parent has called authority for this.
So bottom line is making sure preparing insect/​bug repeller for you kids.

Wow.
My fifth grader and I recently went on the Age of Sail «boat trip,» an annual excursion our school has been doing with all fifth grade classes for the past 20 years or so. In the days leading up to the boat trip, fellow parents who had not been on the trip would say «have fun,» while those who had been on the trip before would usually correct them: «well, I wouldn’t really call it fun, but it is an amazing experience.» I agree.
In my opinion, the program sets up almost perfect conditions wherein the kids truly start to believe and act like they’re working on a 1906 sailing ship (with all of the hard work, limited rest, following orders, reliance on teamwork and exposure to elements that entails) without any real danger or hardship (there were 10 adults for 23 kids on our trip, plenty of food and drink and a nighttime low temperature of 50 degrees).
I was assigned to be the silent Tall Sailor, standing quietly and there just for safety rather than to help or tell the kids what to do, for a group of 5 kids not including my own. It was remarkable to see how they came together over the course of the day to accomplish tasks like raising the dory, rowing the long boat, doing the dishes and «guarding the ship» at night watch.
On the ride home, the 5 kids in my group all talked openly about how proud they were of themselves. One boy even said «I can’t believe we did that. That was amazing.» My son had similar sentiments.

Oh absolutely not
How someone gave this a five star rating surely means he works for the company. The parents and kids I have spoken to after this overnight have felt the same as I currently do– angry, upset and livid that my child was treated the way se was on this trip and that I PAID for this treatment. I am NOT a coddling parent. But I am a parent who at the least feels my child deserves to be treated with respect. To be told thwy can eat or starve, cannot wear their hats in this weather we have been having-​freezing conditions, could not wear their gloves, could not put their hands in their pockets (this caused the captain to yell at another child to put her pockets inside out as punishment for the rest of the trip.)
Had I known my child would be kept up all night, have to stand guard at 2am outside without an adult present… Any of this… I would have said oh hell no thank you. I am requesting a refund from the school for this hideous experience. My child has told me so many awful things and then said ‚“mom it was much worse than I’m even saying.“
Thanks captain for making it so unpleasant for the kids.

This is an educational program organized by the San Francisco Maritime Park Association. The purpose to teach kids what life was like serving on a 3-​mast clipper ship in the 1900’s. Kids spent 18 hours on the Balclutha (including sleeping onboard), located at the Hyde Street Pier in San Francisco. These kids will learn to work on this ship, as did sailors did at the turn of the century.
The time frame is 1906. There has been a devastating earthquake and fire. The regular crew has gone ashore to fight the fire and assist in the rescue efforts. The Captain needs a replacement crew to sail the Balclutha to Oregon to get a load of lumber to bring back to San Francisco and help rebuild the city.
These kids, or «Lads» are very inexperienced in seamanship, so it’s up to the Captain and his 3 officers to train these lads the basics of seamanship before they can sail up to Oregon. The officers are actually educators playing these roles. The lads were divided into 6 crews, with each given specific tasks, meeting the Captain’s satisfaction. These tasks included line handling, moving cargo, riding a bosun’s chair, throwing heaving lines, setting hawsers, cooking on a wood burning stove, rowing a longboat, and standing night watch. The officers would show the crew once what they needed to do, then left them alone. These lads had to learn to listen and follow specific instructions, but more importantly learn about teamwork, trust, cooperative learning, taking responsibility, and communication.
Right when the kids became «lads» when the boarded the Balclutha, they quickly learned the hierarchy of Captain, 1^st mate, 2^nd mate, bosun and cook. Captain and 1^st mate were very stern and strict with the lads, enforcing discipline (no corporal punishment, as in the day), when needed. Initially some of the kids were upset and started to cry, but the Captain and the 1^st mate were able to talk them down, while maintaining their roles, and got the kids back on track.
Each of the 6 crews had a «mate» who was in charge of his/​her crew. Some of the «lads» who were assigned to be the «mate» were initially timid and quiet. It was rough for them at first, but they soon learned how to delegate and give instructions. Other lads in the crew, who were natural leaders had to learn to be part of the team, and respect the leadership of his/​her mate. It was pretty interesting to see that the quiet and timid mates soon became more confident at leadership.
There were adults assigned to each crew. We were «tall sailors,» lowest ranking of the crew. We just stood around following the crew. We couldn’t help the lads do their tasks, they had to figure for themselves. Our purpose was to ensure they didn’t get into unsafe situations. I was with the rigging crew, and it took them more than an hour to tie a proper bowline, to the Captain’s satisfaction. Initially some of the lads in this crew weren’t too focused on their tasks, and instead focusing on the sea lions nearby. Soon, the weather became real cold and windy, and these lads knew that the Captain was very serious about having them finishing their tasks. Eventually all members of the crew got it together, worked as a team to finish rigging a bosun’s chair.
Both the Lads and the tall sailors had to follow the ship’s rules, in spite of the weather conditions. This meant no hands in the pocket, hats and hoods off when in the presence of the Captain, addressing officers by their titles, no stepping over lines. All crews also had to do 2 hours of night watch
My wife «volunteered» me for this 18 hour field trip, and I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into. During those 18-​hours, I saw these «lads» learn the importance of teamwork, responsibility, and discipline. Kids not used to being leaders learned how to lead when called upon; kids who were natural leaders had to learn to be part of a team. Many who have gone through this program as kids said that this was a life-​change experience for them.
I can believe it.