Scholarships Available
A scholarship program has been in place at DBMS since its inception in 1997, with the first year of classes in Summer of 1998. This ongoing initiative is an important part of DBMS because this financial aid literally opens the wonders of Duxbury Bay to children who otherwise may miss out on these experiences. Furthermore, DBMS provides direct and indirect financial support annually to over 1200 youth and teens through fundraising.
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Financial Aid is limited to One Class per Season per Student and Limited to Youth through age 18. Anyone seeking information about financial assistance should contact Beth at the DBMS office 781-934-7555 x108. Please send in your completed scholarship applications (along with copies of W2s) to beth@dbms.org. Applications must be submitted at least two weeks prior to program start date.
- Scholarship Application
ACCESSAIL
At DBMS, we believe in making maritime activities and learning accessible and available for all individuals. Yet for those with physical and/or cognitive disabilities, getting into a boat may seem out of the question. That’s why we created Accessail: an educational and recreational sailing program specifically geared for those who live with physical and/or cognitive disabilities.
REGISTRATION FORM
$30 per sail per student – To sign up, please call 781-934-7555
Maritime Adventures
Beginning in 2000, DBMS has collaborated with Crossroads for Kids to provide a tuition-free on-the-water program for at-risk, urban youth. The program, now called Maritime Adventures, is geared for youth attending Camp Wing in Duxbury. Since it’s inception, Maritime Adventures has served over 200 middle school aged campers during each 8-week season.
Participating in maritime activities allows campers to learn new skills as well as teach them how important teamwork and a positive attitude are in accomplishing goals- on and off the water. Each camper involved with Maritime Adventures participated in five to seven 2.5-hour session of on-the-water activities.
DBMS does not charge the students of Camp Wing for the program and must raise the funds needed to cover operating and capital costs. For more information regarding camper eligibility and program specifics, or making a donation to Maritime Adventures please contact DBMS.
Maritime Program for Veterans
In 2020 DBMS is planning to schedule Veteran Only maritime days, so participants may enjoy the companionship and camaraderie of their fellow veterans. We are also reaching out to various Veteran’s Organizations to offer exclusive sailing events for their membership or program participants. These events will either be one-half day or full day events tailored specifically to the needs of the participants or the organization.
The programs we would like to offer our Veterans are Stand Up Paddle-boarding (SUP), Kayaking, Rowing, and Erging (indoor rowing machine). Each of these maritime programs would offer Veterans the opportunity to experience Duxbury Bay while getting to socialize and work with fellow Vets.
The Future of Maritime Programs for Veterans…
DBMS is currently involved in fundraising to support the purchase of a larger sailboat in 2020 to expand our Veteran’s Program. Our goal is to start a near- coastal sailing program, that will allow travel outside of the bay. This program boat will allow for longer sails, which will create a mobile classroom. While sailing, participants will be able to learn and apply basic navigation skills, coastal piloting, anchoring and use of maritime electronics. On a longer sail, individuals will get to work as a team and assume various roles, navigator, helmsman, main trimmer, or just sit back and enjoy.
How the Program Came to Be…
Our previous Veteran’s Program Director, Mark Engelsman, came to DBMS as a Fellow of The Mission Continues, a national nonprofit that empowers veterans to serve their country in new ways. He served over 550 hours of volunteer time learning about DBMS and assisting in a variety of programs and maintenance projects, and most importantly immersing himself in the Accessail Program in order to expand the Program to veterans.
Mark served for over 30 years in the United States Army as a Combat Engineer and Helicopter Mechanic. He deployed twice for Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), first with an Air Ambulance (Medevac) unit and the second time with a VIP and Aerial Resupply Mission.
If you would like to learn more about this program, please reach out to our current Outreach Director, Tuffer Dow – tuffer@dbms.org
More about The Mission Continues
Through two innovative and action-oriented programs (Fellowship Program and Service Platoons), The Mission Continues has helped thousands of post-9/11 veterans focus their talents and energy to tackle challenges facing us at home. The Mission Continues Fellowship Program focuses veterans’ strengths, skills and compassion and connects them to community causes where they volunteer for six months. The fellowship program helps veterans apply their skills and desire to serve to a cause they’re passionate about. By volunteering, veterans gain real-world experience that helps them achieve employment, enroll in higher education and secure a life-long position of service.
For more information, visit The Mission Continues.
Tor register for Sailing Programs for Veterans, please contact Outreach Director, Tuffer Dow, at tuffer@dbms.org