Arie Avidor wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I am interested in adventure activities in the museum.
> Is there anyone who knows somthing about it?
>
> thanks in advance,
>
> Arie Avidor
> Israel
> [log in to unmask]

There is a program called 'Tall Sailors' operated by a concessionaire at
the San Francisco Maritime Museum at Hyde Street Wharf (I believe it is
also done at a Maritime Museum in LA or San Diego).

They take school groups on a 24 hour program in maritime history,
problem solving, and self reliance. The tall sailors (parents and
teachers) are not allowed to participate in any decision making or
guidence (they are only allowed to stop a potentially dangerous
activity/situation by saying 'AVAST!' and must respond to all questions
with 'Ask the Mate') but are subject to the same rules and discipline
as the students. (I personally leaned against a rail and spent 30
minutes peeling potatoes and scrubbing pots).

The students are organized into 'watches' and have specific non-trivial
tasks to perform (move 4 500 pound hawsers on board and use them to
secure the vessel, learn how to pull a 26' whaleboat, how to cook meals
for 50 people on a wood burning stove, how to use a bosun's chair to
hoist and haul each other, and how to stand watches alone at night.

As part of the process they are given misleading instructions by one of
the officers (who is subsequently raked over the coals by the skipper to
the delight of the students). The officers (A skipper, 2 mates, and a
cook) are more or less treated as their status requires.

The participants are actually quite closely supervised in a very
unobtrusive fashion. If a tasks expectations are not met it is done over
until it does. Instructions are clear and discipline is immediate
and impartial. None of the tasks are outside the reach or skills of the
participants. The students were treated as sailors, not children. They
walked away with a lot more self-confidence and self-respect.

In all it is an excellent program, We are designing similar challenge
programs at our railroad/historic farm museum.
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