Bahamas Adventure

The Trapper Trails Council completed its first ever visit to the Florida Sea Base. The Council contingent of two crews and 12 people spent a week at sea learning how to sail a ship around the Bahamas. We launched out of Marsh Harbor, Bahamas on Monday the 23rd. Our first stop was an island called Man O War, a charming little town of about 300 people. Then next morning we set sail for a different island and different experiences. We spent the second day sailing the open seas until we came to Fowl Cay(pronounced key), a private preserve. There we snorkeled on a great reef for hours. We then set sail for Guana Cay. The following morning we raised the sails and headed for Hope Town on Elbow Cay. Hope Town is home to one of the most historical lighthouses around the world. It is a red and white candy cane lighthouse that is found on many postcards and pictures. It was built in 1863 by the British. This was one of the favorite stops. Several more days and several more cays were visited, each had their own charm.

More important than all the ports, are the skills learned by the boys and leaders alike. As the working crew of the Esperanza and the Lazy Days boats, the sailing was up to the boys. They learned how to navigate, judge depth by mapping, hoist all sails and bring them back down, use sailor knots, anchor the boat, snorkel, and have fun. We all slept on deck, had minimal showers, spent shifts on night watch, washed dishes in the ocean, and any other function needed to stay at sea. They did it all with a smile, gained a few skills, and a lot of self esteem.