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Expanding our Mission from Alex to the Virgin Islands
Chasing Bubbles was established to help kids all across the globe chase their dreams. Captain Alex regularly stopped at remote islands during his sailing journey to visit kids in need. These visits inspired Alex's final dream to support orphaned kids in the remote regions of northern India. The Chasing Bubbles Foundation continues to chase Alex's final dream by supporting the education of kids worldwide! And now with S/V Bubbles back in the water, we have expanded our mission into the Virgin Islands!
Collaborating with Boys & Girls Club to Address a Critical Skill Gap for Local Kids
Once Bubbles was ready to sail again, we wanted to take kids sailing. We sought out local expertise and set up a meeting with our new friend Jackie, the Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Thomas/St. John. We learned that despite their proximity to the ocean, many kids from the Virgin Islands lack comfort and skills on the water, limiting their potential to pursue marine vocations, often filled by people from outside the region. After a few discussions, we determined there was more to offer the kids of St. Thomas than just sailing.
Launching Chasing Bubbles Day Camp: A Program for Empowering Youth Through Sailing
Our first youth sailing program was born: The Chasing Bubbles Day Camp—empowering kids through sailing and fostering confidence on the water and in life. We created this day camp to provide a nurturing environment where kids not only learn essential sailing skills, but also develop comfort on the water, and become inspired to pursue their dreams and vocations with determination. This aligns with the Chasing Bubbles mission to empower kids globally to chase their dreams. Through structured activities focusing on building confidence, teamwork, and marine knowledge, we are preparing island youth for future marine careers, addressing the gap in local maritime vocational skills and fostering a love for the ocean and a sense of belonging.
First Pilot Program: Transforming Nervous Beginners into Confident Sailors
Last month, we piloted our first program, welcoming five junior high students aboard Bubbles. For all of them, it was the first time they had ever been on a sailboat. They were understandably nervous yet excited to try something new! Right from the start, even the smallest wake would cause each student to scream and grab the nearest handle for fear of the boat tipping over.
Overcoming Fears with Expert Instruction from Passionate Volunteers
We were fortunate to have two amazing volunteers as our sailing instructors, Spencer and Emily. They provided detailed and entertaining instructions on boat safety, marine life, geography, navigation, and of course sailing. Both have backgrounds as youth sailing instructors and a huge passion for helping local kids get out on the water. Thank you, Spencer and Emily, for stepping up to make this program possible!
Building Confidence and Love for the Ocean Through Hands-On Experience
Through thoughtful instructions, each student got a chance to drive the boat, pull on different lines, and even go for a swim in the afternoon. The students swelled with confidence and excitement for life on the water—a big contrast to how the day started! As we were heading back to the dock, some of the students even requested to go through bigger waves!
Demonstrating the Program's Impact: Increased Confidence and Interest in Marine Activities
This brief program demonstrates the value of time on a boat for these kids. They are eager to learn and get out on the ocean, even at the cost of overcoming their fears. At the end of the day, they all asked, “When can we do this again?” One camper, Tanya, even declared triumphantly, “I am no longer afraid of deep water!”
Evaluating Success: Confidence, Teamwork, Comfort, and Marine Knowledge
We measured the success of this program through surveys completed by our students. Here are the key metrics and results:
Confidence and Self-Esteem: 85% of participants reported feeling somewhat or very confident with their sailing skills by the end of the day.
Leadership and Teamwork: 85% of students agreed or strongly agreed that the activities on the boat made them feel more self-assured as sailors.
Comfort on the Water: Over 75% felt their comfort on the water increased during their trip, with over 50% reporting they felt very comfortable by the end of the day.
Knowledge of Sailing & Marine Environments: 100% of participants reported learning some or a lot about sailing during their trip.
Student Highlights: Unique Achievements and Personal Growth
Each student took something unique away from the day:
Ah’Mya was eager to get involved with every activity and did so with a smile.
Te'Shawnae did a great job as the older student, shepherding the other students to keep them in line.
O'marr had an excellent attitude and did a great job answering questions.
Omari, initially shy, mastered driving the boat and showed potential as a future boat captain.
Tanya swam in the ocean and overcame her fear of deep water.
These individual successes highlight the transformative power of our program, fostering confidence, teamwork, and a love for the ocean in each participant.
Future Plans: Expanding the Program with Community Support
Our mission has been refueled by the impact we observed from our pilot program. With your support, we are eager to run this program again and again to help change the lives of the kids of the Virgin Islands. If you know of someone or a company willing to sponsor our next sailing day camp, please reach out to megan@chasingbubbles.org.
Gratitude for Supporters: Continuing Alex Rust's Legacy with Your Help
Thank you to those who supported our Spring Appeal and helped make this pilot program a success. Our ripples and waves in this ocean are growing with your support. Let’s keep Bubbles sailing!