487 Teens Need Your Help!
Hundreds of teens rely on the Chesapeake Flotilla's Sea Scout educational training vessel, der PeLiKan, for on-board training opportunities every year--from weekend courses in Piloting, Electricity and Engines, to week-long cruises with their shipmates, to the 9-day SEAL advanced leadership training. Your tax-deductible donation can help assure these opportunities are available to the leaders of tomorrow.
Right now, these scouts need your help because the aging der PeLiKan has recently required expensive repairs. The vessel is an invaluable resource to youth in the BSA's National Capitol Region and beyond, and she could not serve her purpose again until these repairs are made. Please contribute what you can--even just $5 or $10--and ask your friends and family to help, too.
Hands-On, Real Life Opportunities for Youth
Sea Scouts is a 98-year-old co-educational program known for helping thousands of young people develop self-confidence, seamanship and leadership skills on and around the water. There are 23 Sea Scout units (or ships) in the Chesapeake Flotilla region--which covers Maryland, Washington, D.C., Delaware, northern Virginia, and those parts of Pennsylvania in the Chesapeake Bay watershed--serving several hundred scouts between the ages of 14 and 21. Critical to the success of this program is time aboard a sailing vessel - learning command, maintenance, teamwork and safety skills.
A Very Special Boat
Der PeLiKan is a 46-ft, two-masted Morgan ketch, owned by Friends of Sea Scouts of Maryland, a non-profit organization. For over a decade, this vessel has provided young scouts with hands-on opportunities to develop their nautical skills. Under the expert guidance of adult volunteers, even the most timid beginner quickly learns the ropes, acquires his or her sea legs and masters duties aboard while building life-long skills and friendships. From learning to maintain the engine, keep the boat on course, or prepare healthy meals underway, each scout is trained to be part of a cohesive crew.
Urgent Need for Repairs
Training vessels undergo tough workouts and der Pelikan is no exception. Her mast, shrouds and roller furler needed replacing, and because of this, she was out of commission from August 2009 to June 2010. Numerous volunteers have worked hard to raise money and complete needed work. The vessel is back in commission, but we still need to pay for these and other repairs--including replacement of the main sail, at a cost of about $3,000.
Please Help Us Save der PeLiKan!
Through family donations, scout fundraisers, and a lot of volunteer elbow grease, the Sea Scout network has pulled together to get this beloved boat sailing again but we can't cover the repairs
without your help. Please help by using the PayPal button on the left side to make a secure online donation in minutes, or by writing a check to "Friends of Sea Scouts of Maryland" with the notation "repair fund" and send it to:
Friends of Sea Scouts of Maryland*
1426 Crabhouse Rd.
Lusby, MD 20657
*Friends of Sea Scouts of Maryland is a tax deductible 501(a)3 charitable organization.
