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