Sixth and seventh graders from Robert Treat Academy in Newark got a chance to get out of the city and set sail on Shark River in Belmar, N.J. this week with the help of the Friends of Belmar Harbor sailing program.
Sailing instructors and volunteers from the program taught the students the basics of sailing, tying ropes and kayaking.
Sixth grade homeroom and math teacher Trish Roemer said the trip is an opportunity for students to get out of the classroom and learn lessons about camaraderie and working together as a group.
“All the younger kids are so excited about coming to the sixth grade, I don't think we could ever stop this program because they just feel that this is such a privilege,” Roemer said.
This is the fifth year that Robert Treat students participated in the summer program, which is now part of the curriculum. Students at Robert Treat began their school year on Aug. 3 this year.
Robert Treat Founder Stephen N. Adubato Sr., said the sailing program was started to broaden students’ horizons.
“Many of these children rarely have the opportunity to leave the city,” said Adubato, who is also an avid sailor. “This gives them an opportunity to experience a different side of life.”
Adrianne Davis, the vice president of Robert Treat Academy board of Trustees, said the sailing program is a worthwhile experience for the students.
“Students come back filled with enthusiasm and they have a new level of camaraderie that carries with them throughout the year,” Davis said.
Students learned about the different parts of the sailboat, how to move with wind patterns, sailing strategies, clamming and also got a chance to explore wildlife at Shark River, which 11 year-old Tiana Barkley was relieved to learn does not actually contain any sharks.
“There was this rumor going around that there are sharks in the river, but there are no sharks and that's a good thing,” Barkley said.
Paul Parada, a physical education teacher at Robert Treat, said the trip is a great learning experience for the students because the activities, such as kayaking, are designed to teach lessons, like teamwork.
“They’re out of their element, and it gives them the opportunity to find out about themselves a little,” Parada said. “For the most part they've never kayaked before, so it's tough at first. It gives them a chance to fight through adversity and figure out what they have to do.”
Barkley and 10 year-old Mcafee Sheehan both said they were looking forward to sailing the most because it’s a completely new activity for them.
“I think it's going to be a great experience because you get to learn a whole bunch of new things on the boats and in the water,” Sheehan said.
Roemer said the trip used to be limited to only sixth graders but there was such great feedback from the children that they expanded the program to the seventh grade.
“Whenever we see or hear about the other grades going sailing we can't wait until we do that in the sixth grade, so it's always been something to look forward to,” Sheehan said.
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