EASTERN SHORE SMALL CRAFT INSTITUTE

The Eastern Shore Small Craft Instute (ESSCI) is a nonprofit organization that offers classes in sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, and kayaking. Some of these classes result in certification from the American Red Cross.

picture of compas map with the words Eastern Shore Small Craft Institute
patch by Bob Lawson
image copied from http://www.rivergrizzly.com

Table of Contents:

Schedule

June 8 - 10, 2001 (thirty-first year)
Registration will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Friday
Instructions will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday (except as noted)
Instructions will conclude at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday
Instructor candidates will begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday

Location

Camp Tockwogh (near Betterton, Maryland)

From North: Take US-13 south to Odessa, Delaware. Turn right in town at the traffic signal at Delaware 299, and drive to Middletown. On the far side of Middletown pick up US-301. Take 301 into Maryland and exit right onto Maryland Rt. 290 toward Galena and Chestertown. As you drive straight through Galena you will automatically pick up US-213. Follow it 6 miles past Galena. Turn right onto Maryland Rt. 298. Go 2.7 miles and veer right onto Maryland Rt. 566. Proceed through Stillpond where you automatically pick up Maryland Rt. 292. Two miles past Stillpond, as you head toward Betterton, turn left on Rt. 443. Drive 3.5 miles. The brick camp entrance will be on your right. Follow long driveway until you reach registration office.

From South: Take US-301 north to the junction of US-213. Turn left and drive through Centerville, Church Hill, and Chestertown. Pass the airport, north of Chestertown, turn left at Maryland Rt. 297 (between two antique shops). Drive through Worton to the intersection of Maryland Rt. 298. Turn right and watch for Coopers Lane sign. You should turn left (no number for this road). At Stillpond Creek Road (no number) turn right. This road will wind around the end of Stillpond Creek and intersect with Rt. 433 (Stillpond Neck Road). Turn left and the brick camp entrance will be on your right, about 2 miles. Follow long driveway until you reach registration office.

SMALL CRAFT CLASSES

Prerequisites

Minimum age for all classes is 14 years old unless otherwise noted. All students must swim for 5 minutes and 20 feet fully clothed, put on a personal flotation device (PFD) and remain afloat for 5 more minutes.

Sailing

  • Basic Sailing (Course #1) Basic Small Craft courses are designed to give the novice the fundamental skills and knowledge to be safe in the craft and have reasonable proficiency in operating it.
  • Women on Water (course #9) A cruising course for woment with some previous experience. Submit details of sailing experience at time of application.
  • Intermediate Sailing (course #10) Courses are designed for the person who has some background, but needs more practical experience on the water.
  • Intermediate Sailing - Racing (course #10R) Courses are designed for the person who has some background, but needs more practical experience on the water. Provides introduction to competitive racing.
  • Sailing Instructor (Course #5) Instructors courses are designed to qualify the candidate as a Red Cross Small Craft instructor. Must be 17 years old and proficient in field selected. Candidates who prove weak in personal skills will be reassigned to an Intermediate Course. All instructor candidates must be in camp at 10:30 a.m. Friday.

Board Sailing

  • Basic Board Sailing [windsurfing] (Course #4) This course teaches basic theory and skills on how to rig, start, stop, turn, and self-rescue. Class will be divided into basic and novice (have had some previous experience). Wet suit recommended.
  • Intermediate Board Sailing (Course #11) Reviews all basic skills and improves general performance and knowledge. Will learn jibes, turns, harness use and foot straps. Must have your own board and demonstrate basic skills. Wet suit recommended.
  • Board Sail Instructor (Course #8) Put your skills together and learn how to teach others in basic board sailing. Must have your own board and demonstrate instructor skills. Must be 17 years old and proficient in field selected. Candidates who prove weak in personal skills will be reassigned to the Intermediate Course. All instructor candidates must be in camp at 10:30 a.m. Friday. Wet suit recommended.

Canoeing

  • Basic Canoeing (Course #2) Basic Small Craft courses are designed to give the novice the fundamental skills and knowledge to be safe in the craft and have reasonable proficiency in operating it.
  • Fundamentals of Canoeing Instructor (Course #7) Instructors courses are designed to qualify the candidate as a Red Cross Small Craft instructor. Must be 17 years old and proficient in field selected. Candidates who prove weak in personal skills will be reassigned to the Fundamentals Course. All instructor candidates must be in camp at 10:30 a.m. Friday.

Kayaking

  • Basic Kayaking (Course #3) Basic Small Craft courses are designed to give the novice the fundamental skills and knowledge to be safe in the craft and have reasonable proficiency in operating it.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • The cost for the weekend includes five meals, two nights lodging, teaching materials, textbooks, earned certificates and emblems, use of boats, and films, plus expert volunteer instruction.
  • Weather conditions may limit actual boating. During foul weather, the water instruction will be minimized and additional time will be spent on dry land instruction.
  • You may bring your own sail board or canoe. (Please let us know.)
  • Bring extra bathing suits, towels, foul weather gear, warm clothes, a sleeping bag or sheets and blankets, pillow, sun screen, and extra footwear (that can get wet).
  • A Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD) is required.
  • Please do not bring large amounts of money or valuable jewelry. We cannot be responsible for personal possessions.
  • All faculty members are Red Cross Volunteers, fully trained and certified to teach the courses offered. In addition to theory, every consideration is given for student participation and practice.
  • All boat handling and sailing will be in accordance with strict safety precautions and common sense.

Background and History

The Eastern Shore Small Craft Insitute (ESSCI)is a non-profit organization incorporated in the state of Delaware that provides American Red Cross certification in all types of small craft.

All instructors are Red Cross volunteers who have been selected for exemplary skills, teaching abilities, and who provide the idealism expected in a Red Cross volunteer.

ESSCI provides a weekend of classes each spring utilizing the facilities of YMCA Camp Tockwogh. Students attend from the surrounding seven state area. The student:staff ratio is about 6:1. About one-third of the instruction is in the classroom and about two-thirds of the time is on the waterfront (weather permitting).

ESSCI is managed by a five member volunteer Board of Directors who are elected each year and serve as active instructors. Any student who attends ESSCI is a member for two years and is eligible to vote/or hold office. ESSCI is a charter member of the National Association of Sail Instructors and Sailing Schools. Our Director serves on their Board of Advisors and on the Delaware Boating Council.

All funds are accountable in accordance with regulations as required for non-profit organizations incorporated in the state of Delaware.

People

For further information, contact:

Bob Lawson, Director
Eastern Shore Small Craft Institute
440 Polly Drummond Hill
Newark, Delaware 19711
(302)454-1700
fax: (302) 454-0367
essci@aol.com

Mark Tinsman, Manager Health Services
American Red Cross of Delaware
100 West 10th Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
(302)656-6620 x227
lois.tinsman@thomson.com

Mailing lists (new 7/99):

(for mojordomo help)

essci-announce@paffendorf.sj.ca.us
Announcements of classes, reminders of deadlines, etc. (This list may only be written to by staff members.)
essci-misc@paffendorf.sj.ca.us
A forum for participants to communicate (ie arranging carpools)
essci-staff@paffendorf.sj.ca.us
for internal communication only

This page is maintained by Karen Paffendorf. Dates and course offerings last updated 4/8/1. Contact information and links updated 4/8/1.