LAMI Receives Outdoor Equity Grant from California State Parks
Los Angeles Maritime Institute or LAMI has received a major grant from California State Parks for its new program, Maritime Youth Ambassadors of Wilmington.
This is a brand-new, ongoing program inviting groups of students and youth 14 to 16 years of age, every other month who reside or attend school in Wilmington. The program is six days total within the course of one year. There are three, one-day sails and activities taking place and a three-day voyage to Catalina. This is open to 25 students and adult family members.
Activity #1 is an introduction to sailing a tall ship. Students and their family members learn how to set sails, climb up the rigging, learn to navigate the ship and other introductions to being on a sailing ship.
Activity #2 teaches students and their families topics involving marine ecology. There will be science stations covering marine biology, water chemistry, marine pollution, human impacts and the upstream ecological connection that exists in the watershed.
Activity #3 is a marine career paths activity, where many guest speakers will talk to the youth and their families. Participants will learn about and get to ask questions regarding career paths in the maritime industry, science, education, recreation and conservation.
The Weekend Voyage is a three day and twonight trip; 28 students and parents will sail to
Catalina Island and experience a natural area trip. The group will be introduced to water activities like hiking, kayaking and snorkeling. They will sleep onboard the ship, assisting with cooking, cleaning and conducting night watches. All meals will be provided.
The grant allows LAMI to include more under-resourced students in order to achieve the organization’s vision of a thriving community, where all youth have the opportunity and the resources available to access science, technology and mathematics programs that could potentially inspire them to pursue a STEM related career and develop an understanding of the importance of environmental sustainability and ocean conservation. Students will learn how to sail, explore marine ecology topics and meet local guest speakers involved in maritime careers, all through a multi-day skill building program culminating in a weekend voyage on the tall ships to Catalina Island.
Contact LAMI if you know a Wilmington youth, between 14 to 16 who would like to participate, 310-833-6055.
LAMI, celebrating its 30th anniversary year, is a nonprofit organization. Its mission is to empower youth to discover their greater potential through extraordinary at-sea experiences aboard educational sailing vessels built to train and equip young people with 21st-century leadership skills and inspire maritime and STEM career paths.