The cost of sending 18 students and two teachers sailing at the Don Lee Center is $1397, including <a target="new" href="http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm" onclick="g_openWindow('http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm', 300, 800, 'fulfillwindow');return false;">fulfillment</a>.
I am a teacher at a middle school in North Carolina,where I teach exceptional children. I also teach a sailing class through our school's Triple I program. Triple I, a program unique to our school, stands for Interesting, In-Depth, and Investigative. Triple I teachers select their own topics of study, and students are assigned to the classes based on the results of the Gardner's Multiple Intelligence survey that is administered to every student in the school. Triple I classes meet monthly and are days the students and staff always look forward to!
As an experienced sailor I chose to teach a sailing class as an opportunity to expose our students to an activity that is a totally new experience for them. Although we live on the coast of NC, with many of our students actually living on the water, none have ever had any experience with sailing. I believe that this class will give them a chance to learn something new that they can enjoy for the rest of their lives!
In our monthly class meetings the students have learned sailing terminology, the parts of the boat, boat safety, navigation rules, and many other topics. Now is is time to practice what we have learned in the classroom setting. As a culmination to our classroom lessons, I would like to give the students first-hand sailing experience by taking them on an overnight trip to Don Lee Center and letting them put into practice the skills we have learned in the classroom.
Don Lee is located about 1 1/2 hours from our school, on the banks of the Neuse River, and is known for the excellent sailing program it offers. I would like for the students to join the thousands who have learned to sail at Don Lee since 1948. Don Lee operates year round, offering a summer camp program, retreat facility, and an environmental education program. The camp is fully licensed and insured, is accredited by the American Camping Association, and strictly enforces all safety procedures. Our sailing trip is planned for May 25-26, 2006. The students will have the opportunity to sail on Flying Scots and Sunfish sailboats during our stay. There are 18 students in the class. Although the cost of the trip is not expensive considering that it is all-inclusive, I am aware that the cost is prohibitive to the students in this class.
Our school serves five satellite communities in a rural area of North Carolina, with 44% of our population receiving free or reduced lunch. Most of the students in the class are from low-income families. Not only have they never had the opportunity to go sailing, they have never had the opportunity to go on an overnight field trip or experience a summer camp setting. I want all of the students to have the opportunity to experience the challenges and fun of a sailing field trip.
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