Mystic Seaport Sets Scene for Experiential Learning Trip

The students were chaperoned by fifth-grade teacher Joseph Gambino, fourth-grade teacher and program leader Emily Schimelman 2002, and Lower School physical education teacher Elliot Markman 2017. Mrs. Schimelman shared that the veteran training ship sailed under three flags before mooring permanently at Mystic Seaport Museum in 1947, and now the students can experience sleeping aboard.

The students fully immersed themselves in history and exploration as they began their visit with the Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in Legos Exhibit where they learned how shipwrecks can tell stories about exploration, trade, and discovery in an interactive and hands-on way. The students worked together in two adventure course activities: Moby Deck where they had to work together while balancing on a rocking platform; and on the second challenge,make their way from one end of the ship’s mast to the other without falling. Most excitedly, they had the opportunity to climb the rigging of the historic Joseph Conrad and most students made it all the way to the top.

Other activities included making lanyards and creating scrimshaw-inspired artwork. The group came together in the evening to enjoy a taco dinner and ice cream sundaes before visiting the planetarium for a fascinating show about constellations and stars.

On the final morning, the group enjoyed breakfast together before the final activity. With instructors on hand, the students spent three hours learning how to sail Dyer Dhow sailboats. In pairs, each group learned how to work together on communication, steering, and how to control their boats. After sailing, the group enjoyed lunch together before departing for Hamden Hall.

“The overnight Mystic Seaport trip has been a tradition for almost 10 years now, and it is a bonding experience for fifth graders following their year-long unit the previous year in fourth grade on whaling history and life at sea,” shared Mrs. Schimelman. “We left with tired bodies, lots of stories, new skills, and plenty of memories.”