Middle-Schoolers Learn to Take Charge on the Water

Jessica Cook learns to sail in American Pi

Ron Snyder, principal of Alternative School #1, spent his spring vacation on the water at the south end of Lake Union teaching an enthusiastic group of 8th graders to sail.

"On land, kids are always being told what to do. They can't drive a car or an airplane. But when they're in a boat, they're the captain of the ship. They are in charge," Snyder said, explaining why he thinks young people enjoy sailing so much.

There was almost no wind the day we visited the class, so Snyder was trying to convince the students that "You can trick a sailboat into thinking there's more wind than there is."

AS#1's sailing program started in 1992. Now there is a fleet of six "Clancy" sailboats, all built by parent, student and teacher volunteers. Each winter, the boats are refurbished, painted and patched by parent and student volunteers. And the rest of the year they are berthed at the Center for Wooden Boats where they are always available to AS #1 families.

"At AS#1, We do things in an experiential, hands-on way wherever possible," Snyder says. "We make school more exciting."

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