Inter-City Youth Sailing & STEM Program
Just as the ancient Argonauts sailed aboard the legendary ship Argo to unknown shores, the Phoenician Argonauts are Phoenix students charting their own course aboard Argo—discovering new skills, new confidence, and new horizons.
Program Structure: Three Phases
The Phoenician Argonauts are Phoenix students on a modern voyage of discovery, using sailing and STEM to explore wind, water, and their own potential. This program builds confidence, leadership, and real-world problem-solving skills through hands-on boat restoration, engineering projects, and on-water sailing experiences.
Phase 1: Land Yachts – Sailing in the Desert
Students design and build simple 3-wheel “land yachts” using bike wheels, plywood frames, and small sails. These sail carts are tested in a parking lot or field to teach points of sail, tacking, and basic safety before anyone goes near deep water.
Phase 2: Boat Restoration – Marine Shop Class
Students restore a donated 22-foot Laguna Windrose sailboat to Lake Pleasant and Arizona Game & Fish safety standards. The boat will be named Argo and dedicated to the Phoenician Argonauts program. Work includes sanding, painting, rigging upgrades, safety gear installation, and boat registration.
Phase 3: Lake Pleasant Sailing Days
Students sail aboard Argo on Lake Pleasant under strict safety protocols: mandatory PFDs, weather limits, adult supervision, and clear crew roles. Shore-based STEM modules (navigation, weather, knot-tying) support students waiting their turn on the water.
STEM Focus: Weather analysis, navigation basics, hands-on seamanship, leadership rotation (skipper, tactician, trimmer, safety officer).
Why This Matters for Camelback Students
Access:
Most Phoenix students—especially those in central-city neighborhoods—have never been on a sailboat or had exposure to marine STEM fields
Leadership & Life Skills:
Sailing demands communication, decision-making under pressure, teamwork, and personal responsibility in ways few other activities replicate.
STEM in Action:
Students apply physics, engineering, weather science, and math to solve real problems on land and water—not just in textbooks.
Career Pathways:
Exposure to marine trades, outdoor education, logistics, meteorology, and leadership roles many students have never considered.
Safety & Supervision
Resources & Support
Donated Equipment:
A 22-foot Laguna Windrose sailboat (to be named Argo) will be formally donated to Camelback High School (or district-approved organization) for exclusive student program use, following district donation and documentation procedures.
Curriculum Alignment:
Program leverages US Sailing’s “Reach” STEM curriculum (used by 350,000+ youth nationwide) adapted for Phoenix and Lake Pleasant context.
Community Partners (potential):
Local sailing schools and clubs at Lake Pleasant (Go Sail Arizona, Sailboat Shop, Lake Pleasant Sailing Club) for dock space, safety inspections, and occasional guest instruction support.
Next Steps & Support Needed
Faculty Advisor:
Identify a teacher or staff member interested in outdoor education, STEM, or CTE who can serve as club advisor.
District Guidance:
Navigate liability, insurance, volunteer clearance, and field-trip procedures for off-campus lake days.
Pilot Timeline:
Propose a small first cohort (10–15 students) for spring semester or after-school sessions to test Phase 1 land yachts and begin Phase 2 boat restoration.
Space:
Access to a secure outdoor workspace (covered if possible) for boat restoration and land-yacht construction.