From the September 2004 issue of SpinSheet Magazine (Annapolis)

Holding Course
The Box of Rain program in its second year

By Molly Ring Winans

Local sailors of a certain age might wax nostalgic when they hear the words " Box of Rain" and hum the old Grateful Dead tune. A younger generation might wonder, "Box of What?" For 32 Annapolis kids who proudly completed this summer's maritime youth program, Box of Rain is much more than a classic song.

"Our goal is to offer every kid in Annapolis an on-the-water experience, whether that be sailing, kayaking, fishing, or learning about the environment," explains Anne Harrington, one of Box of Rain's founders. " Everyone loves to be on the water, yet public access to it is limited. This program affords the opportunity to people who don't otherwise have a chance to participate in water-based activities."

The non-profit youth program was created two years ago this fall as a living legacy for Lee Griffin, a local sailor and entrepreneur whose tragic death stunned the community. Having begun his high-end video production career on tour with The Dead, it was natural for Griffin to name his sailboat Box of Rain. Although they've been criticized for not using the words "maritime" or " youth" in the program's name, Harrington says, "The name has real meaning to those of us who knew Lee. It's important."

Box of Rain participants get out on the water every Tuesday and Thursday from June through August. Although few of the kids have spent any time on or in the water, "they have no fear," according to Anne. Swimming is a core element of the program, as are other self-esteem building activities. Some of the kids start the summer gingerly stepping into the water, and by August, they bravely jump off a boat in their lifejackets.

This summer's activities included kayaking down Spa Creek to Truxtun Park, touring Baltimore Harbor, playing environmental games at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, flying spinnakers on J/80s beneath the Bay Bridge, learning about crabs at Cantler's, sailing on the Schooner Woodwind, fishing near Thomas Point Lighthouse, taking a windsurfing lesson, and swimming on Bembe
Beach, Sandy Point, and in a few creeks and pools.

When they step back on land, participants write in their daily journals about the experiences. (According to the instructors, what they ate is a popular journal topic). "These kids don't realize how much of the experience they've taken in," says Co-Program Director Nan Walker. "When they begin the summer, they don't know the difference between bodies of water, which is the
harbor or the Bay. It's neat to see what they've written in their journal about the Severn River or Weems Creek and know that they've absorbed that. One girl drew the points of sail chart in her journal. We hadn't even been sailing for a couple of weeks."

At the second annual awards ceremony held on August 17 at the Eastport YC, Walker presented each participant with a personalized plaque and a t-shirt. She gave fun awards such as Courage Medals to kids who had overcome obstacles and a Mighty Duck award to eight-year-old Jaquan Smith, who persevered all summer long, despite his small stature. Special honors went out for perfect attendance and for Box of Rain Junior Instructors, Roland Green and Elliotte Royal. Green and Royal also were recipients of Annapolis YC Foundation scholarships.

Darrell Green was named Box of Rain's Outstanding Sailor of The Year. Green showed up every time and was "a real team player." He will be a paid Junior Instructor in the program next summer. His gift was an engraved compass. " The compass is an important symbol for Box of Rain," says Anne. "It stands for holding your course in life."

Harrington and Walker sent out heartfelt thanks to their many sponsors and volunteers who helped with equipment, lunches, logistics, and transportation. An invaluable mentor since the program's inception and founder of his own non-profit (We Care and Friends), Larry Griffin has been instrumental in bringing participants into the program and enlisting the help of Annapolis's Public Housing Authority. He's also been known to haul around kids, lifejackets, and coolers. Mary Wolfe, founder of the Clay Street Learning Center, a free computer lab and after-school program, has also brought kids and wisdom into Box of Rain.

Harrington has extensive plans for the future of the organization, her top priority being finding grant money to hire an Executive Director. She would like to begin a vocational skills program for young people to learn boat detailing to bring them into our maritime industry. She would like to focus on improving public access to the water. "We ultimately would like to see an all-encompassing community boating center for rowing, kayaking, sailing, and fishing. There could be concessions there. We'd run Box of Rain out of the center. Other cities like Boston and Miami have one. Shouldn't we? It would be a great bridge for the whole community."

About the Author: Bay sailor Molly Winans is an Annapolis-based freelance writer. Her first book What is She Thinking? Secrets For Single Men (2003) is available on the Internet under the name Molly Ring.