Kids Aboard Boating, Fishing & Watersports Magazine
For Children & Families
Posted Monday, May 9, 2005
Women Aboard is a national organization of "Sea Sisters" who enjoy the boating and sailing lifestyle. Their founder, Maria Russell, herself a special education teacher, shared these tips with us, and the members of Women Aboard in the book The Best Tips from Women Aboard.
ENGLISH - RESEARCH - WRITING
Your local libraries will have lots of information in the form of travel books and magazines. (The local library will order from other libraries any book they do not have.) Write to states, countries, departments of tourism and/or agencies for information on your destination.
Writing a daily journal.
Making and writing to pen pals.
Reading literature.
Listen to audio tapes, do crossword puzzles.
SOCIAL STUDIES
Travel books (They have wonderful history, geography, and cultural sections.)
Visit historical sights.
Museums: National, state, county, city. Some of the most unique are in small towns!
Topography
Geography
Cultures - including different cultures in the United States
The different ways holidays are celebrated
Genealogy
SCIENCE
Study the flora and fauna of any place you visit
Visit science museums
Ecology: Where better to learn about the ecology of streams, swamps, bays, oceans, rivers than in them?
Attend classes presented by park rangers, nature centers, etc.
Read brochures put out by parks and nature centers. Many of these have excellent information about the habitat, flora and geology of the park.
Anthropology- evidence of human history and prehistory is all around us.
MATHEMATICS/ECONOMICS
Estimate expenses for day, week, month
Compute real expenses for day, week, month
Estimate fuel usage/expense
Figure out REAL fuel usage/expense
Figure out miles/gallon
Estimate how far a destination is
Plan meals, budget for and buy groceries
Handling money
Credit
Budgeting
MUSIC/ART
Photo essay of your trips
Attend local concerts
Buy whatever supplies are needed to draw, sculpt, sketch
Draw a picture journal
SOCIAL SKILLS/INDEPENDENT LIVING
Having the opportunity to meet many different people with many different backgrounds
Learning to handle yourself in many different situations
Problem-solving within the family travel unit
Doing without the television, telephone, and many modern conveniences
Leaving friends at home-learning to be an integral part of the family unit
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Sailing, rowing, hauling anchors; but once on shore, walking, hiking, cycling, backpacking
Learning local dances
Learning local sports and games
HOME ECONOMICS
Cooking
"Making do" with canned stores vs. going to the grocery store and buying something fresh
Laundering one's own clothes; learning how to use a laundromat
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Park rangers
Docents in museums
Organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and the National Park Service is happy to have volunteers!
An excerpt of The Best Tips from Women Aboard, Edited by Maria Russell, copyright 2000. ISBN 0-9663520-1-7. To order a copy call 1-877-WMN-ABRD or visit www.womenaboard.com .
