Team Paradise is honored to be working for the US Sailing Center Miami (USSC), providing the ultimate Summer Camp experience for the children of our Magic City. Starting on July 24th, we will have kids from ten different parks. Each day brings on a new batch of kids.
This blog will be updated on a daily basis, so check in often and follow our journey.
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West End Park July 28
Eleven campers and two counselors arrived well-prepared for some fun in the sun on Biscayne Bay. None had sailed before, and none had ever been on the Bay. The weather forecast called for a chance of thunderstorms throughout the day. We adjusted our float plan accordingly and stayed close to shore. We eventually ended up at the Sister Banks, close to Viscaya and Brickell. Everyone took the opportunity to sail and play either on the sandbar or on our floating foam mattress. As the thunderstorms came closer, about seven miles away, we lifted anchor and headed towards home. We all made it back to port ahead of schedule. Better safe than sorry is all I can say. The first week of US Sailing Center - Miami Parks is now in the books.
Robert Clemente Park July 27
Another nice day on Biscayne Bay! Seven campers and two counselors showed up but were not really ready to play. Somehow the memo on what to wear and bring had not reached home. We managed to come up with some clothing and shoes for them to wear out on the water, and everyone had a great time.
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A few of the donated shirts were left in a wet pile on the shower floor, which were found after the group departed. Also, bringing a proper towel would be better than using a bunch of small hand paper-towels after the shower and leaving them all over the bathroom floor. How about if the counselors check the bathrooms to make sure the facility is in good order before leaving? Finally, a “thank you” from the group before leaving is never a bad idea.Description text goes here
Shenandoah Park July 26
Fourteen campers came to play for a day. None had ever been on Biscayne Bay before. How can that be? They live so close to us, and everyone can swim. Thanks to the US Sailing Center, we can offer them this unique experience. When they arrived, they looked lost because of not knowing what to expect, but it would soon change. We divided up the group into four teams and headed out to sea. The weather forecast had potential thunderstorms, so we stayed close to shore. Everyone sailed, everyone had fun, everyone learned something new, and everyone was safe. What can be better than that?
Juan Pablo Duarte Park July 25
Twelve kids, plus a counselor, came to play! None of the campers had ever been on or in Biscayne Bay. Nevertheless, everyone was enthusiastic about their maiden voyage. They had water comfort and knew how to swim. Everyone sailed and seemed to like it. During the debriefing, many raised their hand when asked if they want to return for another sail. We are hopeful that some will join us for our fall sailing programming.
The north easterly breeze pointed us to the Sister Banks, the sandbar close to the Viscaya. Everyone sailed and played both on an in the water. This was another great day in the bay!
Curtis Park July 24
First up was Curtis Park. Nine kids, plus a counselor, came to play. It is extremely rewarding to introduce sailing to kids. None had ever been to Biscayne Bay before. In most cases, they transition quickly. Questions like, “Are there animals in the water?” to statements like, “I don’t want to go into the water!” were quickly erased.
The best of it all was that over 20% of the kids want to come back. We would love to teach them how to sail!
We sailed across the Bay to the West Point of Key Biscayne. The sandbar there is a prefect 10! We hung around for a while, had lunch and then we sailed back. We delivered on SAFETY, FUN, and LEARNING!