Michael Abrams of Stars and Stripes, a daily newspaper published for the U.S. military, Department of Defense civilians, contractors, and their families, wrote a great story about a sail training experience for some youth from military families.
Camp A.R.M.Y. Challenge is conducted by the Child and Youth Services branch of the Installation Management Command European Region’s Morale Welfare and Recreation division. It was designed for youths with a parent or parents deployed, formerly deployed or soon to deploy, with the idea of relieving stress and taking the youths’ minds off deployments.
A.R.M.Y. stands for adventure, resilience, memories and youth — and the youths on the first voyage got their share of adventure and memories. On the fourth day, the schooner hit a storm that sent 9-foot waves over the ship’s decks.
This story ends like so many other about sail training:
…John summed things up best when he said, “I learned a lot about sailing. I learned a lot about myself. I didn’t think I could climb the rigging and pack the sails.”
He, and the rest of the crew, had met the challenge.
Technorati tags: sail training, tall ships, Camp A.R.M.Y. Challenge, Stars and Stripes, Morale Welfare and Recreation, U.S. military
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