South Carolina Maritime Foundation - Dropout Prevention Program

by South Carolina Maritime Foundation on 25 May 2010 South Carolina Maritime Foundation has received funding from the South Carolina State Department of Education through the 21st Century Community Learning Center Summer Enrichment Grant to offer the second annual 21st Century Spirit Ocean Adventure program. This seven-week drop out prevention program is for 40 rising ninth grade students attending Title I schools - those schools in which more than 40% of the student population is eligible for the federal free and reduced lunch program - in Charleston County.

There is still space available for eligible students for this summer program to be held between June 4th and July 23rd. Interested parties should contact their teacher or principal or the South Carolina Maritime Foundation for more details.

Students will begin the summer with a one-week leadership and character development sail aboard the tall ship, Spirit of South Carolina. The remaining six weeks will be spent striving to change those attitudes and behaviours most strongly predicative of dropping out while closing the achievement gap through daily interdisciplinary, experiential education activities designed to reinvigorate the students' commitment to education.

Eligible students are identified through the Charleston County School District At Risk Alert System and spaces are then offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The 2010 summer program will be headquartered at the new Sanders-Clyde Elementary/Middle School. Some of the summer activity highlights include rafting in the upstate, a field study including a shark dissection at Edisto Beach, sailing aboard the Spirit of South Carolina and much more. The program is offered free of charge, and provides extensive adult education opportunities to all family members living in the same household as enrolled students.

The South Carolina Maritime Foundation is pleased to report that of those students who graduated from the inaugural program in 2009, 100% are still enrolled in Charleston County School District schools without major discipline issues. The 21st Century Community Learning Centre Summer Enrichment Grant will fund 60% of program costs and the remainder of the cost will be covered by individual donors and private foundations.

The South Carolina Maritime Foundation owns and operates the tall ship, Spirit of South Carolina. The Foundation's mission is to create opportunities for life-changing experiences resulting in leaders for tomorrow's communities. Since its first season of programming in 2007, nearly 6,000 students have been served. With the support of local partnerships, the South Carolina Maritime Foundation is able to generate funds to keep these exceptional programs in place.

Visit www.scmaritime.org for more information.