21st Century Spirit Ocean Adventure Summer Program a Huge Success

Aug. 6, 2010 - PRLog -- Charleston, SC (August 06, 2010) - The second annual South Carolina Maritime Foundation's 21st Century Spirit Ocean Adventure summer dropout-prevention program concluded Friday, July 23rd. The students, families and educators celebrated the students' success at the Charleston Maritime Center with a closing summer celebration that showcased work and activities students enjoyed throughout the summer.


The improvements the students made throughout this program in academic content, reading and self efficacy were staggering.  Average percentage gains were 76% for academic content, 17% for reading achievement and 10% for self efficacy. These improvements are even better than the impressive results from the 2009 students. The South Carolina Maritime Foundation is pleased to report that of those students who graduated from the inaugural program in 2009, 100% are still enrolled in Charleston County School District schools without any major discipline issues.  


From June 4th through July 23rd students began their summer with a one-week leadership and character development sail aboard the tall ship, Spirit of South Carolina. The remaining six weeks, headquartered at the new Sanders-Clyde Elementary/Middle School, were spent striving to change those attitudes and behaviors most strongly predicative of dropping out while closing the achievement gap through daily interdisciplinary, experiential education activities designed to reinvigorate the students' commitment to education.


Each week had a focused theme that was academically and culturally relevant (e.g., watersheds, landforms, marine ecosystems, maritime history, rice culture and history, technology, etc.).  The program culminated in a capstone camping trip to the mountains, at the headwaters of the Santee Watershed at Clemson University's Youth Learning Institute at Camp Hannon in Pickens County.  During the camping experience, students whitewater rafted down the Nantahala River, waterfall repelled down a 60' waterfall, as well as slept in teepees in the great outdoors.  This experience helped solidify the importance of environmental stewardship through challenging and thrilling recreation, which most had never experienced before. The 2010 summer program also provided extensive adult education opportunities to all family members living in the same household as enrolled students.


The 21st Century Spirit Ocean Adventure is a free, seven-week dropout prevention program for 40 rising ninth grade students attending Title I schools - those schools in which more than 40% of the student population is eligible for the federal free and reduced lunch program - in Charleston County.  Eligible students were identified through the Charleston County School District At Risk Alert System and spaces were then offered on a first-come, first-served basis.


The South Carolina Maritime Foundation's mission is to create opportunities for life-changing experiences resulting in leaders for tomorrow's communities through both shipboard and land based programming.  Since beginning programming in 2007, nearly 6,000 students have been served. With the support of local partnerships, the South Carolina Maritime Foundation is able to generate funds to keep these exceptional programs in place. Visit www.SCMaritime.org for more information, follow us on Twitter www.Twitter.com/SpiritofSC and become a Facebook fan www.Facebook.com/SpiritofSC.

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The South Carolina Maritime Foundation's mission is to create opportunities for life-changing experiences resulting in leaders for tomorrow's communities through both shipboard and land based programming. Since beginning programming in 2007, nearly 6,000 students have been served. With the support of local partnerships, the South Carolina Maritime Foundation is able to generate funds to keep these exceptional programs in place.