MV Ocean Academy
We had a stupendous second season of programming aboard SHENANDOAH Since Martha's Vineyard's tall ship Shenandoah was passed down to Martha's Vineyard Ocean Academy (formerly FUEL) in 2021, we have made exciting updates to the ship and its programs. We have hosted over 900 participants on week-long voyages of self-discovery aboard Shenandoah. We introduced an equity-based payment system with sliding-scale tuition so our prices would not be a barrier to families. We created an innovative curriculum based on Positive Youth Development to address the mental health epidemic impacting our children. We initiated an ongoing study in partnership with the University of New Hampshire measuring student outcomes in our program. We launched a local food initiative to source ingredients from our island and teach our kids the benefits of eating locally. We developed staff training that prepares our crew for their roles as mentors and guides in mental health promotion interventions. We are grateful to MVYouth and our community of generous, passionate Islanders who helped make this possible.
Foundation for Underway Experiential Learning (FUEL)
We had a stupendous second season of programming aboard SHENANDOAH under FUEL's leadership and are excited to share some highlights with you. Hundreds of youth climb aboard SHENANDOAH timidly at the beginning of their week-long voyage. They experience uncertainty, discomfort, and challenges as they acclimated to their new environment. Through small successes like learning how to wash their dishes, use pump action toilets, and name all the sails and lines, their confidence grows.
Our students build empathy through experiences of awe and wonder, become inspired by working alongside our staff, and learn how to identify and communicate their emotions through guided reflection.
We hosted 314 participants on 13 weeklong overnight voyages.
We launched an initiative to source ingredients from our island and taught about the myriad benefits of eating local.
We anchored in remote coves, visited uninhabited islands, and sailed with other tall ships. $130,603 in discounts, scholarships, and student fundraising helped ensure cost was not a barrier to families.
We completed data collection for our positive youth development study, measuring outcomes.
We introduced an equity-based payment system with sliding-scale tuition. None of this would be possible without the generous support of MVYouth and our community members.
Foundation for Underway Experiential Learning (FUEL)
In 2020, SHENANDOAH's unique educational mission was in peril. The ship required costly repairs. Three hundred elementary students from Martha's Vineyard lost their opportunity to embark on a weeklong voyage that year, a rite-of-passage that 5,000 Island students before them benefitted from. Then, a significant generational transition happened. After 57 years at SHENANDOAH's helm, Captain Robert Douglas donated his beloved SHENANDOAH and his life-work educating youth to the nonprofit organization FUEL, founded by his protégés, Ian Ridgeway and Casey Blum, LCSW. FUEL made repairs and improvements to the ship enabling weeklong educational voyages for 280 youth and 340 total people this summer. FUEL plans to host 1,200 learners aboard SHENANDOAH by 2025 while also constructing a new ship that will triple the impact of FUEL's mission with year-round voyages.
Foundation for Underway Experiential Learning (FUEL)
PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT: In September, Captain Bob Douglas announced that he would donate Shenandoah to FUEL, an Island non-profit led by co-founders, Ian Ridgeway and Casey Blum. As the new stewards of Shenandoah and its programming, FUEL intends to offer enhanced tall ship learning opportunities for Island youth and pilot new programming for young adults.
For the past 25 years, the tall ship, Shenandoah, has been operated by The Black Dog Tall Ships (BDTS), providing educational experiences for local youth and Island visitors. Over 5,000 Vineyard youth have sailed aboard Shenandoah on week-long cruises with their fifth-grade classes. These Sailing Schools trips are a rite of passage for Island youth, revered by both students and parents for the unique and transformative experience they offer and the opportunity to access our ocean backyard.
FUEL’s capital campaign has three parts, totaling $1M. MVYouth’s grant completes phase 1, which includes capital improvements to Shenandoah. FUEL is actively fundraising for phase 2, which includes administration and ownership expenses, and phase 3, which includes program development expenses and a scholarship endowment. Including the MVYouth award, FUEL has raised over $625,000 to date.