As the Crown representative of British Columbia I would like to thank you for inviting me to address you at the opening of this, your 35th conference of the American Sailing Training Association. I’m told that the ASTA is a national, non-profit organization with 150-plus affiliates throughout the United States who offer youth education and character building programs on tall ships and sail training vessels.

I have often thought that although the current education program is very good, it cannot be all things to all people. Some students do not excel in such a structured environment. These students do much better in a hands-on classroom where lessons are learned through the process of doing rather than just listening and observing. I have learned that when a student learns a skill like paddling a canoe, there are many collateral lessons that have to be learned along the way. Many of these lessons are life lessons, related to growth and development. They are not easily accepted from parents or teachers, but they can be delivered in a skills-based program with a great deal of success. Learning to paddle a canoe involves making a paddle, paddling long distances, paddling with others in co-operation, and self-discipline. I don’t know all that students will learn in your programs, but I imagine that students learn the same life lessons that are so essential for every young adult to learn and apply to their life plan.

Thank you for all that you are doing for young people. I only wish that I could have had the opportunity to learn to sail in this manner, on a real sail ship. So much for childhood dreams!

Thank you.

LOCATION:1401 Rockland Avenue
Victoria, British Columbia
Canada V8S 1V9

PHONE:(250) 387-2080

FAX:(250) 387-2078

EMAIL:ghinfo@gov.bc.ca

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