Summer Program Online Registration Open

I've finished the first few changes I have planned for the website. The Summer Program Online Registration has been changed so that you can sign up for more than one camp or voyage at a time. That said, if you notice strange behaviour on the website, or have comments or suggestions, please email them to webmaster (at) tallshipsadventure.org.

Don't forget that there is a 20% discount if you sign up for more than one camp or voyage or if you register more than one participant from the same family. Also, if you pay before the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) comes into effect in Ontario you'll save a bit there too, so sign up now.

Updates to the Website

If you've been checking this blog the last few days you may have noticed some changes. I've finally gotten around to fixing up the template. It's not perfect but it is better than it was. That said, if you notice strange things happening on this website in the next while and they don't get fixed in a day or two please send me an email at Webmaster [at] tallshipsadventure.org

Thanks,
Don Booker
Volunteer Webmaster

Winter Program Activities

January 30 & 31, 2010

This past Bytown weekend kicked off with an early morning of shop work for some and CYA Coastal Navigation for others, and by lunchtime there were two spars with a fresh coating of Cetol and several sailors who were ready to plot positions off of anything they could find. The afternoon was more shop work for everyone, and by the time dinner rolled around everyone was ready to kick back and relax...with a trip to the bowling alley. No final tally of points was taken, but without a doubt the youth sailors swept the game.

Sunday started out even earlier than the previous day, with the majority of the junior crew vying for first in the days level training game of Flagtionary. For the rest, the struggle to put the course yard back together was more than enough work to occupy the hours between breakfast and lunch.

After lunch Albert Rolf, one of our volunteers, came into the shop to give a small engine repair class. We started off with some troubleshooting possibilities that could happen on our outboard engines which we use every day at the island, from the whalers to the small dinghies. We also learned about both types of outboard engines which we use, for example a two-stroke versus a four-stroke. We then split up into smaller groups and had to get our hands dirty! We changed the oil, spark plugs, gaskets, and any other miscellaneous parts that needed to be fixed or changed. Michael Rolf and his group dissected an older engine nicknamed the (justeeter vanwolvin) to try to bring it back to life, one more time. After many laughs and a small quiz, we ended another great weekend at Bytown!! Can't wait for the next one :)

Justin Thibault and Sophie Wolvin

Alumni Updates Needed

Hi there everyone,

Happy New Year to you all, I hope 2010 has been good to everyone and you are not working too hard. Over the past month or so I have run into a number of you and have enjoyed hearing where you are and what you have been up to. BBI alumni are everywhere! It’s so crazy! Our alumni are doing everything from owning their own restaurants, working on helicopters, sailing in the Navy or Coast Guard, as social workers or working for all levels of government. Whatever BBI crew are doing, they seem to be excelling in their field and look back at their days at BBI with fond memories (most of ‘em, anyway J ).

I am writing with two things in mind; first is a remainder that we are looking for a quick write up about yourself and what you are doing now…and how your time at BBI might have helped you along the way. We would like to have your submission by February 5, 2010.

The email list that I have is very limited as the contacts we have here in the office for some of you have long become obsolete. Could you please send this email to anyone who used to be a part of the program and spread the word that we are looking for any and all alumni to touch base and let us know what they have been up to and how BBI might have helped them along the way.

The second thing I was thinking is that we should organize a BBI alumni reunion. I am not sure how many of you would be interested in that, but please let me know what you think. We tried to have an alumni sail, but it seems like it might be better to simply start with some kind of dinner or lunch as everyone is busy these days and people have a difficult time committing a whole weekend. Please let me know what you think as I know we are all growing up, getting real life jobs, getting married, getting divorced, having kids etc…but I think it would be nice to spend an evening with our old shipmates and catch up.

I sincerely hope to hear from all of you soon!

Cheers,
Mary

Super times at BBI

Today we took the dingy to an underground parking garage. We had some trouble with the wiring but it eventually worked out. Last weekend we took Black Jack's course yard down to bare wood and began to refinish it.

Fair Jeanne Main Engine

After much prperation the Fair Jeanne main engine was removed yesterday with out too much trouble. It was certainly exciting to see the large engine fit through the tiny hatch that was the engine room sky light.

Google Search Changed

Ok, so it seems the problem is that Google changed the SOAP based search API to an Ajax based API. I'll fix that after the marketing strategy session we are having this weekend. Chances are I'll have a whole bunch of other stuff about the website to fix.

Meanwhile, if you've got a question about our ships or our programs feel free to email info@tallshipsadventure.org or call the office at 613-596-6258.

If you have comments or suggestions for the Bytown Brigantine website, please feel free to email me at webmaster@tallshipsadventure.org

Thanks.