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.

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.