EVERETT, WASH. – The Port of Everett partnered with Sound Experience and Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County to provide a full day of hands-on career exploration for 45 elementary school-aged students that culminated in an afternoon sailing aboard historic tall ship, Adventuress, on Friday, Aug. 7.
The innovative partnership between nonprofit Sound Experience, the Port of Everett and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County gave elementary-aged students the opportunity to explore the region’s maritime industry, meet professionals working in the field and gain firsthand experience aboard the 133-foot National Historic Landmark schooner, Adventuress.
The students, members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County, began their day at the Port of Everett with a welcome from Port Commissioner Glen Bachman before participating in a variety of waterfront activities. The group watched the marina crew use the Travelift vessel haulout and then went on a tour of Waterfront Place and the Port of Everett Seaport, getting an inside look at the variety of jobs on Everett’s working waterfront.
The group later boarded Adventuress for an afternoon sail. While underway, they learned about teamwork, navigation, vessel operations and other skills that are essential to many of the maritime careers currently in demand throughout the Puget Sound region.
“Giving young people the opportunity to see maritime careers up close through tours and hands-on learning can open their eyes to the many future opportunities available to them, especially those here at the Port of Everett,” Port of Everett Commissioner Glen Bachman said.
The experience is part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County’s Life & Workforce Readiness initiative, which connects young people with local industries, trusted mentors and career pathways. Through hands-on experiences like this, young people can build confidence, expand their professional networks, and connect what they are learning in school to real-world careers. To learn more about opportunities like this and other partnership possibilities, please contact jcreager@bgcsc.org.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Sound Experience and the Port of Everett for giving our youth such an unforgettable opportunity aboard the Adventuress,” said Jordyn Creager, Director of Life & Workforce Readiness, Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County. “From raising the sails and tying knots to learning about life and careers in the maritime industry, our kids experienced possibilities they may not have otherwise known existed. At Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County, we’re committed to helping young people build skills, explore careers, and see a path toward a great future. Experiences like this bring that mission to life—and some of our youth even left inspired to pursue careers in the maritime industry.”
For Sound Experience, which operates Adventuress, the program provides another opportunity to use the region’s maritime heritage as a platform for education and career exploration.
“When a young person steps aboard Adventuress, they’re not just learning how to sail – they’re discovering that they have a place in our region’s maritime community,” said Richard Lauridsen, Partnership Director at Sound Experience. “These experiences give our youth the opportunity to try new skills, build confidence and meet people who can help them imagine a future in maritime.”
The Port of Everett’s support of the program is part of its broader effort to help build the next generation of maritime professionals. Ports and maritime industries nationwide face growing workforce needs, and the Port works with educational institutions, workforce development organizations, community groups and local employers to introduce young people to maritime careers, provide hands-on learning opportunities and connect students with industry-recognized training and employment pathways.
About the Port of Everett
The Port of Everett is a special-purpose district tasked with economic development. Through its international seaport, public marina and real estate development, the Port of Everett brings jobs, tax base, business and tourism to our community and region. The Port is a committed steward of the environment and waterfront. Port activities support more than 40,000 jobs in the surrounding community and contribute $433 million in state and local taxes. Learn more at www.portofeverett.com.
About Sound Experience
Sound Experience (www.soundexp.org) was founded in 1989 to educate, inspire, and empower young people through experiential learning on the water. Its education platform is the 133-foot schooner Adventuress, a U.S. Coast Guard-inspected passenger vessel and National Historic Landmark. Over the past 37 years, more than 40,000 children and teens have sailed on day and overnight programs gaining hands-on experience in maritime skills, marine science, environmental stewardship, teamwork, and leadership while exploring the unique waters of Puget Sound and the Salish Sea.
About Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County
For 80 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County (www.bgcsc.org) has enabled young people—especially those who need them most—to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, 29 Clubs and 13 school-based extension sites, across 10 counties, serve more than 29,000 children and teens through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing, and on Native American lands, and also serve military families. Clubs provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, life and workforce readiness, healthy lifestyles, and leadership development.
Source: Port of Everett
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
