YMF Recognized As A Whole Child Champion

Since 2015, the Tacoma School Board of Directors have proclaimed January as Whole Child Month. The State of Washington also echoes this proclamation bringing attention to the fact that children belong in an environment that supports social and emotional wellbeing as well as their academic achievement.

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Tacoma’s only historic tall ship, SSS #110 Odyssey, supports the Whole Child with weekly marine science cruises. SOTA teacher Ralph Harrison won’t let a leg cast keep him from his students.

The Youth Marine Foundation is honored to be recognized in 2021 as a Whole Child Champion and a dedicated community partner. The Foundation’s collaboration with Tacoma School’s SOTA and SAMI in providing hands-on marine science and maritime learning is made possible by their operation of the Tacoma Youth Marine Center (TYMC) and the Tacoma Sea Scout vessels.

Due to the close vicinity of Tacoma School of the Arts (SOTA) being located downtown, their marine science classes are actually held weekly in the waterfront classroom located at the TYMC. Teaching from a textbook takes on a whole new meaning when you can walk 100 yards to the dock and engage students in Whole Child learning.

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SAMi Marine Science students on their floating classroom – a 90-year old wooden boat! Access to Commencement Bay as their lab provides physical learning outside.

The Youth Marine Foundation expresses support for a whole child approach to education; recognizes the benefit of ensuring students are challenged, supported, healthy, safe, and engaged; encourages families, educators and community members to support a whole child approach to educating each student; and will celebrate January 2021 as Whole Child Month.

-Monique Valenzuela, YMF Executive Director

The two Sea Scout vessels - SSS #110 Charles N Curtis and SSS #190 Odyssey- conduct chartered marine science cruises throughout the school year. Students partake in learning outside of four walls with Commencement Bay as their laboratory. By conducting water tests and integrating their research with their classroom learning, they are exposed to a comprehensive education that promotes critical thinking and creativity while learning to respect and care for their marine environment.

SAMI student Maddy conducts log watch to make sure the waters are safe and clear while her classmates on deck conduct their experiments.

As stated in the Whole Child approach to education, students deserve to have the opportunity to be actively engaged in, and connected to, school and the broader community. Because of the Tacoma Sea Scout vessels and dedicated volunteer crew, students are engaged with a community many of them have never experienced: the maritime and marine science community. many students have pursued a maritime pathway towards success including higher education and meaningful employment in our global economy.

As the South Sound’s only youth organization with classrooms, docks and ships providing ready access to the water, YMF has provided hundreds of students with their first on-water experience. Always looking forward, YMF is positioned to increase student access exponentially and bridging the gap that Tacoma’s most underserved students face. Join us in congratulating the Tacoma Sea Scouts for being recognized as champions for Whole Child education.

Youth Marine Foundation’s collaboration with Elements of Education supports whole child education. With Commencement Bay as their lab and Tacoma’s only historic tall ship, SSS #110 Odyssey, as their class our students are supported by qualified, caring adults and have access to personalized learning opportunities.

To inquire about marine science cruises for your class or school, contact monique@tacomaymf.org or call 253-572-2666.

Virtual Celebration Recognizing New Quartermaster

Tacoma Sea Scout Base safely recognizes new Quartermaster

Matt Adolf

Quartermaster

As Matt’s mom recounted her favorite story, she made the room laugh then, tear up. “I remember the first thing he told me when I told him about Sea Scouts over 4 years ago,” she shared. “He had previously been involved in another activity that he missed greatly. He flat out said ‘I don’t want to go’. Looking at this recognition today, I am so proud - and relieved he ended up liking it!”

During the recognition, adult leaders from SSS #110 Odyssey shared stories of Matt’s involvement and growth since he joined at 14 years old. Most noted was the connection he made with current Skipper and Odyssey alumni, Chris Dutt. A graduate of Cal Maritime, Chris introduced Matt to his fellow classmates while on an Odyssey longcruise. That connection proved valuable when the wildfires hit the campus of Cal Maritime earlier this year. Matt was able to call those alumni he knew and showed up at their house in pajamas and barefeet. One never knows who they’ll meet!

Matt joined by current Odyssey program leader Dr. Eric Kiesel, Sea Scout Commodore Bud Bronson, Skipper Chris Dutt and captain Rick Snodgrass.

The Quartermaster Award is a notable accomplishment that takes many years of dedicated commitment to achieve. Each quartermaster candidate presents the culmination of their achievements, their service project and demonstrates their leadership developed during a Board of Review. A current student at Cal Maritime in California, Matt came back to help with the Odyssey drydock during the pandemic.

Matt’s proud parents joined the recognition of his hard earned Quartermaster award.

Usually a grand event, the private recognition was attended by Matt’s parents, adult leaders and Youth Marine Foundation Executive Director Monique Valenzuela. In light of gathering restrictions, they attendance was private but the celebration and pride was huge.

Matt recognized the support of his parents and the dedicated adult volunteers helped him accomplish this award. That and the requested brownies supplied by fellow 2020 Quartermaster Abby Wainwright.

“Join us in congratulating Matt for earning this distinguished and highest Sea Scout rank achievable, the Quartermaster Award. “

Bud Bronson, Pacific Harbors Sea Scout Commodore

Tacoma’s Own Tall Ship Is Sailing in Rough Waters

4,000 square feet

of working sail maintained and inspected by youth crew

Tacoma’s historic tall ship – Odyssey – needs a hand.

At 82-years old, maintaining this classic 90-foot wooden sailboat for service to Pierce County’s youth is a big lift. Since Odyssey is a Coast Guard licensed sub Chapter T passenger vessel, it requires an annual inspection accompanied by haul out and repair. She will be entering dry dock on December 1 and undergoing annual repairs necessary to maintain her ability to continue to serve as Tacoma's only historic tall ship serving as a floating classroom for youth on the Puget Sound and beyond.

Youth on Odyssey work week long shifts as crew for fundraising charters. With COVID-19, Odyssey was tied to the dock and all 2020 charters were cancelled.

For over 30 years these annual repairs are funded through monies raised by the boat itself.

Every summer the dedicated adult volunteers and Odyssey Sea Scout crew host week-long paid charter cruises in the San Juan Islands for other Scout and youth groups from around the country.

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High School students sample water in Commencement Bay for their marine science class

During the school year, the boat is a floating classroom taking public high school students out for monthly on-water marine science classes. Monies made from all of the charters usually cover the repair costs.

With the onset of COVID-19 all of the fundraising opportunities were cancelled. Odyssey’s sails are put way, and her 180 days of sailing in 2020 are gone.

We rely on our dedicated supporters to partner with us and invest in today’s youth becoming tomorrow’s leaders. The Tacoma Youth Marine Foundation is seeking support for this historic vessel in these unprecedented times.

Make a difference right now and use the button below to make a tax deductible contribution today.

BACKGROUND : Since being established in 1924, the Tacoma Sea Scouts have provided youth focused maritime and leadership programs in the Puget Sound for 96 continuous years. The Tacoma Sea Scout Base is located at The Tacoma Youth Marine Center on the Foss Waterway and is home to three Sea Scout vessels including Odyssey. The vessels provide year-round programs open to all youth.

The Youth Marine Foundation (YMF) is a 501(c)3 organization that funds the operations of the Tacoma Youth Marine Center to provide a place for marine-related training programs for young men and women. Participants include the Sea Scouts, Naval ROTC, Tacoma Public Schools Science and Math Institute and Metro Parks.

Tideflats Leaders’ Sweat Equity Benefits Youth

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If you were around Friday, October 2, you may have seen a rare sight. Residents of Tacoma witnessed Vérité leaving her home at the Tacoma Youth Marine Center on the Foss Waterway for a quick row around Commencement Bay.

Vérité is a 38-ft Captain’s gig built in 1998 in collaboration with youth from Remann Hall, Charles Wright Academy and Tacoma Sea Scouts at the Sea Scout Base under the direction of Shipwright Phil Lantz. Launched from Owens Beach in 1998, she holds 13 crew, ten of whom row a long oar ranging in length from 14-18 feet. Vérité is a replica of an 18th century French Admiral’s gig that was captured in Bantry Bay, Ireland in 1796.

Vérité is owned by the Youth Marine Foundation (YMF) and is moored at the docks of the Tacoma Youth Marine Center.

With youth programs being halted due to COVID-19, one of the biggest challenges facing the Foundation is the care and maintenance of their small fleet – including Vérité.

Being an all-wooden vessel, she occasionally takes on fresh water from the Puyallup River as it flows into the Foss Waterway, which can create long-term damage if not remedied. She also requires annual maintenance including haul-out, inspection and bottom-scraping to prevent long-term damage associated with natural marine growth like barnacles and seaweed.

As a Board member of the Youth Marine Foundation and Government Affairs Director for Schnitzer, Tony Belot recognized the opportunity this presented for the leadership team at Schnitzer Steel, Inc in Tacoma.

Tony often works alongside YMF Executive Director Monique Valenzuela identifying collaborative opportunities. “Our tideflats neighbors are an amazing community of mentors and volunteers,” adds Monique. “By volunteering their elbow grease and time, we can provide the opportunity for Tacoma’s non-boating youth to experience the water.”

The leadership team from Schnitzer spent the day doing the hard work first, then were rewarded with a row. They spent the morning in orientation learning about Vérité from Sea Scout alumnus and Vérité adult leader Robert Kroker.

They then went to work, putting in great effort and getting her back to working condition. The ten oars range in size from 14-18 feet and received a good hand-scrubbing from top to tip. Other volunteers used a hand pump to empty the vessel so her floorboards could be inspected and cleaned.

Leaving the Foss Waterway in morning fog, the Schnitzer volunteers put their morning learning to the test following commands like “Come to Oars!” and “Make Way Together.” The very nature of taking a longboat out on the water requires teamwork, cooperation and grit. The stroke oar is located the farthest in the bow of the boat. Although the seat is furthest in the back, it is the most important and sets the pace for the ship. To be expected, the plant general manager ended up in that seat as oar 1. There were many conversations on the boat, including the observation that when the volunteers learned their rhythm and rowed together, even traveling against a current became more efficient.

Who knew that a wooden longboat built by teens more than two decades ago would provide a lesson in teamwork, grit and leadership to manufacturing professionals?

The skills and pride felt by the volunteers from Schnitzer are exactly the reason recruitment for the next cohort of Vérité youth will begin soon. The opportunity for 14-year olds to learn essential “soft skills” and experience character development, while having the adventure of a lifetime is priceless. Thanks to the selfless volunteers at Schnitzer, Vérité is ready for another generation of Tacoma teens.

You can see some video highlights of the journey on the YMF YouTube Channel here. If you know of any youth 14 or older interested in joining the Vérité crew when the new youth program restarts, email YMF at monique@tacomaymf.org.

SSS #190 Announces 2020 Quartermaster Abby

The Tacoma Sea Scout Base welcomed the newest Quartermaster to its ranks

Abby Wainwright

Quartermaster

Starting out as a young girl, Abby has been an active Sea Scout aboard Odyssey for over 7 years! She advanced through multiple rankings that intensify with each advancement and served in leadership roles during the annual seven week long cruise in the San Juan Islands.

During her Board of Review, Abby explained with excitement her growth and all of the leadership and communication skills she developed starting at 14-years old. She reflected on the impact of the Sea scout program, noting the growth she witnesses in newer Scouts as they continue with the program.

Abby at the oars: she smiles as she rows departing passengers ashore. Just one of her many duties as leader during the annual Long Cruise in Friday Harbor.

Each quartermaster candidate presents the culmination of their achievements, their service project and demonstrates their leadership developed during a Board of Review.

Board of review participants L-R: Debbie Moore, National Service Officer | AmVets - Monique Valenzuela, Executive Director | Youth Marine Foundation - Shelly Schlumpf, Founder & CEO | Main Street Elements - Ann Fish, VP Deposit Manager | Heritage Bank

This interview by community leaders is intense and scrutinizes the achievements of the Sea Scout.

Abby's Board of Review included female executives from around the South Sound region. As they considered Abby’s growth as a Sea Scout, they also commented on her growth as a community leader. They were honored to participate and gave her high recommendations for her award.

“Join us in congratulating Abby for earning this distinguished and highest Sea Scout rank achievable, the Quartermaster Award. “

Bud Bronson, Pacific Harbors Sea Scout Commodore