Adopt a Ship Program Outline
Who can participate in the Adopt-a-Ship Program?
- SCHOOLS: Elementary School Students and Faculty, Middle School Students and Faculty, High School Students and Faculty, Private and Public Schools throughout Virginia
- YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS: Youth Clubs, Youth Service Organizations, College Organizations and Clubs
- COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS: Athletic Clubs, Social Clubs, Service Organizations, Sister City Associations, Civic Leagues, Yacht Clubs, Navy Host Ships
- COMPANIES, CORPORATIONS, AND LOCAL BUSINESSES
All of these groups and more can adopt a ship and participate in the program. If you are a member of an organization that is interested in adopting a ship, please return the Adopt-a-Ship Interest Form to Joella Adams, AdamsJ@festevents.org before October 15, 2011.
What is the Adopt a Ship Program?
Upon adopting a ship, participating groups will be encouraged to learn about the history, culture, and customs of the ship’s crew and country. We will assist in establishing communication between the adopting group and the ship’s crew as the ship makes its journey to Norfolk. Upon the fleet’s arrival in June 2012, the adopting group will welcome their adopted ship dockside and host the crew for events throughout the week.
There are a number of benefits associated with adopting a ship. Adopting a ship offers the rare opportunity to interact with the sailors onboard these majestic ships. Additionally, adopting a ship is a unique and powerful way to engage youth and adults alike in learning more about our country’s heritage, foreign languages and culture, and world history. In addition to representing our region and country, adopting groups will be treated to a private tour onboard their ship, the chance to meet the ship’s captain, and will receive a signed commemorative print of their ship. For selected members, there may even be a chance to ride aboard their ship during the Parade of Sail.
Beyond this, your experience will be shaped by the nature of your organization.
If you are representing a school or youth organization that would be interested in adopting a ship, there are many great ways to involve young adults and children. For example, during OpSail 2000 Hampton Roads, Norfolk Collegiate School adopted the German tall ship, Gorch Fock II, and created a steering committee which led the school through a year of exciting activities centered on Germany, Gorch Fock II, foreign language, and culture. The elementary school wrote maritime poems and sea stories in their English classes while the math classes used geometry to create a nautical quilt. Norfolk Collegiate School’s librarian, Barbara Dryer, organized a reading incentive program called “Oceans of Books” and the middle and high school tied maritime history into their classes through creating special presentations which were displayed by OpSail 2000 Hampton Roads. School-wide events also featured OpSail and the Gorch Fock II, from an oyster roast with nautical student productions to a Fall Fair titled “Adventures on the High Seas.”
If your organization is not a school or youth-focused group, your activities will be tailored to providing a warm welcome during the OpSail 2012 event and hosting the ship’s crew. Adopt-a-Ship organizations can host backyard barbecues, athletic event outings, cocktail parties, and other hospitality events welcoming their crew to Virginia.
When?
We are pleased to announce that we have filled all Adopt A Ship positions! Over fifty schools and organizations across Virginia are now learning about and preparing to welcome ships from around the world. We would like to thank those who facilitated this process and look forward to working with our Adopt a Ship partners for a successful and educational event.
If you are interested in other educational opportunities focusing on the War of 1812 and OpSail 2012 Virginia™, please make sure to visit http://www.opsail2012virginia.com/education for educational resources, worksheets, and activities for all ages!
Where?
Although OpSail 2012 Virginia events are centered in the Hampton Roads ports, we are excited to engage the entire state in welcoming the fleet. With proper planning, there is no limit to the number of organizations involved or location in which they are based. However, as the adopting organization will be hosting the ship’s crew upon arrival in Hampton Roads, please ensure that representatives from the school or organization will be able to welcome their adopted ship dockside in June 2012. Transportation grants are available to schools and youth organizations outside of the Hampton Roads area. Grant applications must be received by January 1, 2012 and will be given funds permitting.
