On the Dock with the Directors

Join us as our Camp Directors explore current events, dissect trends in the camping world, and discuss topics pertinent to the entire family.

On the Dock - A Summer of Resiliency and Community

Fall 2022

 

 

 

Angela Duckworth, researcher and author of the book entitled Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, says, “At its core, the idea of purpose is the idea that what we do matters to people other than ourselves.” For nearly 75 years, our Camps have embodied that purpose.  Duckworth’s work with the rigors of West Point military training, teaching in underserved classrooms, and interviews with high performing individuals explores the impact of grit, a character trait developed when purpose meets sustained commitment and effort. She shares her own parenting strategy which she dubs the “Hard Thing Rule” – her kids are encouraged to “do something that requires deliberate practice, not quit in the middle of the season or the semester and pick the hard thing themselves.”  

The corollary to her Hard Things Rule and perhaps more apropos of Camp is the Fun Things Rule – choosing an activity they find interesting and enjoyable, even if that activity doesn’t point toward a career or more serious endeavor. The “ultimate goal” for our children, she says, is to develop a calling: a commitment to a fun thing that is also a hard thing. The main determinant of success in all these situations, she argues, is not talent but rather effort or grit - the willingness to persevere even when circumstances become challenging.

In a world that can fragment our time and attention, the Sea Gull and Seafarer experience values and celebrates sustained effort. Examples are everywhere, from extended time away from home and your parents, to navigating a challenge halfway through the session, to entering Week Four of Lightning Training and trying to master the necessary boat handling skills in time to resetting your goal to try again next year when it doesn’t go quite as expected this summer. Our staff, many of whom return for multiple summers, lead with purpose and model grit, showing campers the benefits of this sustained effort – confidence, optimism, excellence, and courage among others.

This past summer was an incredible display of grit by the Camp community. While it was an incredibly impactful and successful summer, we also encountered a number of medical challenges. In addition to managing the COVID-19 landscape, we experienced a much higher than usual overnight admissions number to the Health Center due to flu and a handful of other illnesses. 

We utilized flexible thinking to adapt program plans and had to be especially mindful of interactions between Camps. Toward the end of the summer, we had to make the difficult decision to cancel Mariners IV at Sea Gull. Members of the Camp community embraced a spirit of partnership and positivity that sustained us through it all.

We’re incredibly grateful to:

• Parents who “got the call” rearranged work and travel plans to get to Camp in a short timeframe to help their child recover offsite. In some cases, this meant multiple trips for multiple children.  
• Campers who maintained a positive attitude despite the circumstances and many of those who left were able to return to finish the session. 
• Health Center staff, nurses, and volunteer physicians who displayed remarkable grit working long hours while maintaining their focus on quality care, patience, and kindness. 
• Summer Staff and Directors who supported each other, protected valued traditions, cultivated a culture of caring and turned everything into a fun, camper-focused experience.
• Volunteers from near and far – over 35 in total – who showed up within hours of hearing the need and provided additional support to the Health Center and greeted parents at the office for arrivals and departures.
• The countless encouraging texts, notes, emails, and calls which reinforced the strength and compassion of the Camp family.

After experiencing a challenging situation together, it’s important to celebrate and say thank you. It’s also important to reflect and identify areas to strengthen for the future. We credit founding Camp Sea Gull Camp Director Wyatt Taylor with a "Thought for the Day” that carries significant weight in our community and fosters a culture of continual improvement: “When you stop getting better, you stop being good.” Since summer, we’ve appreciated candid conversations with parents and staff and have affirmed our partnerships with our medical team and the CDC.

We are a community that models the value of grit to young people, and in a world that could use more of this quality, Camp has the unique opportunity to lead the way. As we look ahead, we’re excited to launch registration in just a few days for the 2023 program season. The Camp Annual Campaign is well on its way to meeting the goal of $1.9M by the end of the year with a boost from the recent 48 Hour Challenge. Extended Season programs this fall have engaged families in meaningful ways and have several more groups to serve before wrapping up for the season. Be sure to also mark your calendars and plan to join us next fall as Camp Sea Gull celebrates its 75^th Anniversary October 6-8, 2023. 

You should have received a copy of our annual publication, The Anchorline. In it, we highlighted our Strategic Plan, which includes the vision statement that will guide us into the next decade: 

To inspire engagement with the Sea Gull and Seafarer community at all stages of life, developing leaders of character needed in the world today and in the future. 

Thank you for the many ways you have inspired us this year with your engagement and grit, and we look forward to an exciting year ahead. 

In the Camp Spirit, 

John and Mary Laurence 

 

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On the Dock – Taking the Next Step in the Camper Journey

Any Camp Sea Gull or Seafarer experience, from a Family Camp Weekend to Starter Camp to a 4-Week Session, is valuable and life-influencing.  Our focus on relationships and face-to-face interactions, time outdoors away from screens and technology, and the opportunities to try new activities and have fun is part of the reason people return long after their “camper years."

There is something especially powerful, though, about the "camper years". When children return each summer throughout their childhood, they are building upon their previous growth and development and participating in a journey that will positively change their life's course.

 

Purpose of Each Session Length

Starter Camp is a 1-week nurturing environment where campers are introduced to all the activities. We view our activities not as an end to themselves, but as a tool to encourage self-confidence, teamwork, and responsibility. It is great for campers who have not been away from home often or for very long. The independence developed in just this short time at Camp is amazing. Multiple years at Starter Camp allows a camper to know their way around Camp and lead other campers by role modeling traditions at meals or routines in the cabin – it can solidify their confidence before jumping into Mariners or 4 weeks where there is more freedom of choice.

Mariners is a 2-week experience where campers are introduced to the Blue and Green Books and given the opportunity to set goals and participate fully in our freedom of choice program model. We encourage all first time campers to try all the land activities by achieving their “Alfa” in the Green Book. All campers have daily time on the sea to work on Blue Book ranks as well. Many campers find that 2-weeks is just not enough to do all the activities they want to enjoy nor to achieve all the goals they have set. While Mariners can provide a nice transition from Starter to 4-weeks, it's not a required steppingstone.

First and Second Session are our 4-week, signature programs. We often tell Mariners campers that 4-weeks is twice as long and twice as fun – if not more! During 4-weeks at Camp there is an arc to the cabin experience, allowing relationships to begin, grow, be challenged, and develop through that. There is a deeper richness to character development with a full week to focus on each of the four character traits and to truly live out and reflect on the caring community we are committed to at Camp. And, during activity time there is opportunity to set goals, try your best, learn from failure, adjust your sails, and experience big achievements.

Why Come Back?

The camper journey, that has life-long impact, is at its fullest when campers are returning for multiple summers. We all know that relationships are more influential when they stand the test of time – this is true for peers or cabin mates of the same age and for counselors who are influential as role models or mentors. Character is also deepened by repetition and practicing making the choice to do the right thing. An annual opportunity for campers to independently, away from their parents, make these decisions in a supportive and safe environment is a critical part of how Sea Gull and Seafarer help kids become the best version of themselves.

The community at Sea Gull and Seafarer is special and unique. Many of us say that we wish the world outside the gates were more like Camp. We make sure to remind campers and counselors that each of us is responsible for taking care of that special and unique community by bringing the best of ourselves and choosing every day to treat others with respect, empathy, encouragement, and positivity. It doesn’t just happen, we have to make it happen.

On activities, we find that our Blue and Green Books and freedom of choice model create a space for campers to set and work on multi-step goals, often for the first time. If a camper has fallen in love with sailing through the introductory Sunfish ranks and sets their sites on Lightning Skipper, like the older campers more experienced in sailing, they have to use their Blue Book and talk with counselors to map out their plan. It might look like finishing up Sunfish Master this summer so they can do 420 Skipper next summer which sets them up for Lightning Training the year after that. These opportunities for multi-step goals are all throughout the Blue and Green Books and our Aquatics program. Camp is a great practice ground before doing that at home. At home it might be wanting to play varsity soccer in high school and the goal setting would look like working hard and showing dedication daily on the middle school soccer team so that they are prepared for JV soccer in high school to eventually make the varsity soccer team.

Multiple summers at Sea Gull or Seafarer gives opportunity for these lessons and impacts to be richer, deeper, and more influential.

Summer 2022

Each summer we try to learn from our experience and remind ourselves of the most important aspects of Sea Gull and Seafarer – this past summer was no different.

We were reminded of why the work we do at Sea Gull and Seafarer is so critical for children. For all of us, but especially for children and teenagers, the world has been turned unfairly upside down for 18 months. We observed and heard from parents how important the time at Sea Gull and Seafarer was for the mental, emotional, and physical health of campers. It felt like Camp and that was a reprieve from how life had been outside the gates. Face to face interaction, no technology, the jolt of self-confidence, and time for fun and laughter with friends were, and are, so healthy for all of us. We know this will be true again in summer 2022.

We have learned to stay nimble with program plans and be prepared to pivot with health protocols. We will continue to monitor guidance from the CDC and NC DHHS and utilize our Camp Medical Advisors and Volunteers to ensure safe protocols and a healthy community. There are other physical and mental health challenges that campers face besides COVID-19 and we will also continue our commitment to supporting all campers with as many of these challenges as we are able. The Health Center and Camper Life department have never been more important at Camp. We need parents to partner with us and communicate individual concerns and needs early and with detail. To help with this we are planning to launch the Camper Forms Portal in early January rather than early spring as in year's past.

Registration Details

We feel confident that we can deliver the Sea Gull and Seafarer experience at scale in a COVID-19 world. So, we are planning for normal enrollment and capacity in summer 2022. That means that we want you to return and we want you to invite new campers to join you! You can also invite returning campers who have taken the past couple years off due to COVID to come back with you. Registration will open soon, first for returning campers and then open enrollment. Parents of 2021 campers will get email communication about their window for registration and the link will be available on the website. Everyone else can participate in open enrollment starting Thursday, October 28. The following information can be found on our website:

Summer 2022 Dates

Registration Information

Spring and Fall 2022 Dates and Programs

If you have any questions about registration before or during the process, please call our office at 252-249-1212. Our office staff will answer your question or put you in touch with the right director to get your need met.

Your Camper Journey

The best part about a camper journey is that yours is yours. We are glad that you are on your camper journey with us at Sea Gull and Seafarer. Whether this is your first summer or seventh summer with us, we want your experience to be amazing. This summer that may be for 1-week, 2-weeks, or 4-weeks. We encourage everyone to consider First or Second Session as it is our signature program with longest opportunity to experience camp and with deepest impact. However, whatever length you decide will be right for you. We’ll be there with you every step of the way on your camper journey – cheering you on in growth of independence and resilience and development of skill and character. See you in 2022!

 

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On the Dock – Why Kids Need Camp

Moments of Impact 

The impact of the Camp experience is something we talk about and think of often. For those who’ve had a Sea Gull or Seafarer experience, the phrase brings to mind memories of moments that changed the way they viewed themselves or the world around them.  

For Mary Laurence: 

• At 13, I was a first-time First Session camper. I knew Camp, but I didn’t know the routine, traditions, and specifics of a 4-week experience. I was welcomed on Opening Day by my counselor, Mary Catherine, who told me that I could and should be 100% me even if that included nerves about what I did and didn’t know. 

• At 14, on cabin night, we were supposed to go tubing – a very special and exciting opportunity. However, the waves were too rough to go and we were disappointed that we had to change plans. Our counselors Rhett and Elizabeth said, “We make our fun, we don’t wait for fun!”  

• At 15, my cabin counselor, Catherine encouraged me by saying that I was a natural leader, but more importantly, she challenged me to be the type of leader whose actions and character are worth following. Because I knew she cared, I took the advice deeply to heart. 

• At 16, my Scot Trainer, Mary had complete confidence that I could do what she was asking. The first time I took the helm of the Flying Scot, on day one of training, she asked me to sail with my eyes closed. Her confidence in me filled the void of confidence that I had in myself.  

For John: 

• At 14, I entered Lightning Training and tested twice unsuccessfully for Lightning Skipper before finally earning the rank on the last day of the session. I distinctly remember where I was in the Mess Hall when Frank Martien encouraged me to try again. I learned that summer that positive thinking goes a long way and nothing worth having comes easy.  

• At 18, I reported for work at Sea Gull as a Junior Counselor in Camp 4, and on the first afternoon met my Head Counselor, Bear Bashford. A year later, as a college student, I would serve as a volunteer Youth Leader at a church in Chapel Hill, NC where Bear served as the Director. Twenty years later, Bear would join our Director Team at Sea Gull. I didn’t realize it at the time, but Camp is a place where lifelong friendships begin and impact the trajectory of your life. 

• At 23, after a summer as the Head Counselor of Camp II, I remember celebrating a successful season with fellow Head Counselors who had become great friends – our tanks on empty and a sense of deep satisfaction from pouring everything we had into staff and campers - and realizing in that moment that I was merging onto a career path.  

When you live in a community of belonging with positive, invested role models and with opportunities for independence, those moments happen frequently. But as those moments became memories, the words of encouragement and challenge and the experiences of belonging and confidence became etched into who we are and now help us navigate the challenges of life and the role of “Captain” John and Mary Laurence. 

A Year Unlike Any Other 

The challenges of life this past year have been unlike any other year in most of our lifetimes. Our children have carried an undue weight of the burden. They have been forced into living life through a screen, quite the opposite message from previous years of limited screen time and monitored online activities in an effort to ensure proper social and developmental growth. 

They are asked to stay distanced from friends at a time in life when a hug or high five from a peer can be one of the most uplifting and confidence-building actions. The nature of children to be friendly and outgoing to strangers, which unfortunately is often lost as we enter adulthood, is now discouraged by mask wearing and confusion about the safety of leaving our homes and bubbles.  

We all know this from personal experience, and the flood of news reports and studies confirms it – the mental health of our youth has been negatively impacted. A recent article  written by Tom Rosenberg, President/CEO of American Camp Association, acutely describes this negative impact and the research around it. He discusses the increase of anxiety and depression and the trauma of sustained worry, sadness, and fear that impacts physical, social, emotional, and mental health. He points to camp as exactly what young people need this summer.  

“Children, youth, and young adults will need immersive and educational camp experiences in summer 2021 more than ever before. Parents, educators, public health officials, and government and camp professionals need to step up this summer and do whatever it takes to provide young people vibrant camp experiences where they can recover from a stunted school year and be part of an emotionally and physically safe in-person peer community. Young people thrive when they experience supportive peer and mentor relationships and have opportunities to contribute and learn while participating in meaningful decision-making. This summer, camp experiences will help young people reset and practice social-emotional learning competencies that will support their academic and mental health readiness when they return to school in the fall.”  

We Agree! 

The Sea Gull and Seafarer experience has always been designed to create community, build strong relationships, provide time to have fun in the outdoors, and push campers to gain independence through “choice and voice,” all in a safe and supportive environment with positive role models. We are always thrilled to offer that to young people, but especially this year.  

The specific ways that “camp serves as a catalyst for growth” is beautifully captured and outlined in American Camp Association’s Camp Counts 2020 Report, which was compiled from one of the annual surveys conducted by the ACA Research Team.  

CampCounts 2020 Infographic Report 

The report states that camp enriches the lives of campers, camp staff, and families in a variety of ways, and we have highlighted those we find  specifically applicable to the Seafarer and Sea Gull experience.  

Sense of Belonging 

A caring community. Better to belong than fit it. All brothers, all the time. These are phrases used at Sea Gull and Seafarer to describe the community we strive to create. It’s the responsibility of each of us as individuals to help create this type of community. Many of our campers and staff say they are the best version of themselves at Camp, likely because they are focused on this community rather than themselves. It’s this setting that allows the rest of the work to happen – trying new things, developing skills, gaining independence, and so much more.   

Time Away from Screens 

At Sea Gull and Seafarer, campers and staff take a break from screens, video chats, group messaging, and social media. We emphasize face-to-face interactions and conversations. We practice looking people in the eye, sincerely congratulating our friends, and articulating an apology for a mistake we’ve made. Being on the receiving end of these interactions make us feel valued as an individual and having the opportunity to lead these interactions builds our empathy and compassion. We are also committed, particularly with our older campers, to discuss how to transition back home into the world of screens and social media. It can be a great tool to keep up with friends, but it does not define who we are or determine our self-worth. 

Opportunities for Challenge 

At Camp we face challenges and practice doing hard things. It prepares us for challenges that come up outside of Camp. For some, this looks like going off the zipline. For others, it’s sailing a Flying Scot with eyes closed. Or singing in the camp-wide talent show in front of hundreds of people. We make plans for doing hard things, we celebrate our achievements, and we discuss what we learned from the experience. We make sure to appreciate how even taking the first step helped us grow as an individual. 

Role Models 

Camp provides a great window into what life is like around the corner. Younger campers look up to older campers who are a few grades ahead. CILTs show our oldest campers how to give back to the greater community. All campers have counselors who make “the right thing to do the cool thing to do.” The trajectory of a child’s life is greatly impacted with the influence of just one caring adult, and we have a community of those at Sea Gull and Seafarer! 

Opportunities for Choice and Voice 

The Blue and Green books, unique to the Sea Gull and Seafarer program experience, are built for choice and voice. All campers are empowered to set personal goals and work to achieve them. The Blue and Green book lays out the path for skill development at each activity. Campers plan with their counselor and learn to ask for help. We don’t always achieve our goal on the first try, but we learn to change course and try again, learning from the experience of failure because “failure is not forever.”  

Safe and Supportive Environment 

Any current or former Sea Gull or Seafarer staff member would, without hesitation, say the highest priority is the safety of campers – physical, mental, social, and emotional. This is the foundation on which all the other positive impact is made. It requires support to be brave enough to try something new. A camper must feel safe to honestly share reflections on their day in the devotion circle. We also know that this is important every minute of every day for every individual at Camp. 

Ahoy There Summer! 

We’ve been known to say that kids need camp now more than ever. That has never been truer than it is right now. We view ourselves as a partner with you, our camper’s parents and guardians, and we are honored to help provide this community and environment for your child. 

We are passionate and dedicated to a Camp experience that provides children with opportunities for moments of impact that will become memories that shape them for life. We can’t wait to open the gates to all of you this summer! 

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On the Dock – Sunsets and Horizons: Reflections on 2020 and Looking ahead to 2021

Devotions at Camp are an opportunity at the end of the day to reflect back on the experiences we’ve had. To make meaning of events, to find the learnings, and to figure out how to do it better the next time. 

“Tell me how we worked together,” a counselor may ask her cabin. “When did we take care of each other? Did something unexpected happen that tested our character, caused us to adjust our course? Did we show respect when our cabin won the tournament? Did we hold our heads up when we didn’t? Were the winds strong enough to blow us off course? What was it like to capsize your Sunfish? Why was it important to get back in?”  

As we track toward the closing days of 2020, there is certainly no shortage of events for our reflection.  

The Start of 2020 

The year started as it typically does. January brought a heightened excitement as we prepared for the upcoming spring and summer program seasons and solidified plans for Camp Night travel in cities across the country to see and connect with many of you. We also celebrated the success of surpassing our Camp Annual Campaign goal and the generosity of our Camp Family. 

And then things started to change. The wind began to pick up. We canceled an in-person meeting with the Camp Advisory Board. We contacted our Camp Night hosts and told them how sorry we were that we wouldn’t be traveling this spring. Like many of you, we began working from home. 

By early March, it was evident that this was no typical year. Expense management and workforce adjustments were our new reality, so we did what we knew how to do: We checked our life jackets. We checked on our crew and got our bearings. We freed the sheet and made sure the daggerboard didn’t float away. We reminded ourselves that you can’t change the wind, but you can adjust your sails.  

Arriving at “Scenario Q” 

We recognized that this moment called for definitive action. In response, we formed what became known as our “Blue Ribbon Medical Committee”, a collection of experts in the fields of epidemiology, virology, and pediatrics. Professionals who could help us navigate a complex COVID landscape and who also knew our YMCA Association and specifically the unique environment of Sea Gull and Seafarer.  

With the leadership of this medical committee and in conjunction with guidance from national, state, and local health agencies, as well as the American Camp Association, our Director Teams began the challenging work of preparing for the summer. Collectively, we refer to this period as “scenario planning,” and you would be proud of the “behind the scenes” efforts of the staff to work through all the options. As Camp Directors, we would ask for options A, B, and C, only to need a revised version of D, E, and F days later based on a shift in the guidance. As a team we now laugh that we ultimately ended up on option Q. “Let’s run that option out,” was a popular phrase during the time. There was permission to create and innovate as we had never seen before.  

That innovation certainly comes with challenges, especially under a time crunch, so we made sure to encourage each other along the way. We referenced Brene Brown podcasts often and asked each other to “name it” – to be fully transparent about how we were showing up to a particular conversation or what was on our mind.  

We invoked a favorite “Thought for the Day” from the late Seafarer Camp Director Judy Bright, “You can’t walk uphill by thinking downhill thoughts.” Author Tod Bolsinger’s words charged us to take care of each other – “The primary way we prepare for the unknown is to attend to the quality of our relationships.” We talked about being adaptive. Resilient. Resisting the urge to return to normal, but rather re-emerging stronger, better.  

And we leaned on our faith. “Be a lamp to my feet and a light to my path,” the Psalm told us. We weren’t asking for the full picture all at once, but guidance on the next step. 

A Different Kind of Summer 

By late May, the program plan for Summer 2020 had come into focus, and we were ready to communicate with parents of enrolled campers and our broad Camp community. The decision to “tack away” from a traditional summer at Sea Gull and Seafarer was one of the hardest decisions we’ve ever had to make. We know, however, that the right decision is often the difficult one. If we’re about the safety and the well-being of the community – our campers, staff, Camp families, as well as the community in which Camp is located, then the choice becomes obvious.  

Despite not being able to deliver our full programs, we did welcome a number of our older campers and CILTs from both Camps to Sea Gull for two, two-week sessions of S.A.I.L., an acronym for Sea Gull and Seafarer Adventures in Leadership. Campers and staff arrived grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with friends and be in a place that felt like home, even though some elements looked a little different. We “buffed” up with our face coverings, ate buffet style in the Mess Hall, learned about leadership, and laughed a lot at the first (and hopefully not the last) annual Sea Gull and Seafarer Lip Sync Competitions.  

One of our volunteer physicians who served a week at S.A.I.L. this summer put it best. “It dawned on me that what we have here is as close to the original vision of Sea Gull and Seafarer as I’ve ever seen. When you peel back all the layers, you’re left with the core. Counselors serving as role models for young people, utilizing the activities as a vehicle for character development. Strong friendships, skill development, leadership development, and fun. That’s exactly what these places were meant to be.” 

Just up the river at Seafarer, we delivered six five-day experiences called Embark Family Camp. Just like the S.A.I.L. campers, Embark families arrived overjoyed for the opportunity to be at Camp. It was a welcomed break from the routine. A change of scenery. More than that, though, it was an opportunity to do what we were built to do. To be in a relationship with each other. To belong to a caring community. Said best in the words of a happy parent, “Thank you for saving our summer!” 

The creative and innovative spirit continued into the fall. Camp Windward provided the opportunity for families to work and do school from Camp in a gorgeous setting, with meals provided, and activities in the afternoon. Coastal Cabin Rentals kicked off soon after as an opportunity to enjoy Camp at a slower pace. The Scholastic Learning Center in Taylor Lodge at Seafarer provided working parents in Pamlico County a reliable, safe, enriching option to make life manageable while virtual school was the reality. 

Camp Annual Campaign 

By the end of our program season, the financial picture for the year was becoming clear, and we communicated an operational gap of $8.5 million with a goal to raise $3 million by December 31, 2020. We had doggedly managed expenses. We had successfully delivered roughly 20% of our traditional program offerings and innovated to deliver new ones.  

Parents were generous with the donation of program fees. Young Alumni kicked off a strong response to the 48 Hour Giving Challenge. And through the continued generosity of our Camp family, we anticipate reaching our goal. With the support of our Y Association, we won’t have to take on any long-term debt. On the heels of recovery from Hurricane Florence two years ago, the priority remains to aggressively replenish reserves and fund deferred maintenance, while focusing on delivering program excellence in all of our seasons.  

We will strive to offer as much financial assistance as possible, although there is always more need than resources available. On behalf of the staff, we are truly grateful and feel immense gratitude for the support of our Camp family.  

On the Horizon 

As we look ahead to the horizon, there is optimism and a continued sense of gratitude. Enrollment for 2021 is strong and preparation for the program season is well underway. We continue to rely on guidance from health agencies, and we have once again convened the “Blue Ribbon Medical Committee” to help us navigate the evolving landscape.  

While much is yet to be determined, but here’s what we know: 

1. We remain committed to the safety and well-being of everyone in the camp community.  

2. Children and families need the life-changing impact that a Camp experience provides, whether that’s for one week, two weeks, four weeks, or a weekend. 

3. We know we will continue to follow the guidance and consider every resource available to implement protocols that create a safe, impactful, and fun experience for campers and families this upcoming season.  

And we know you should always check your lifejacket and check on the crew. Get back in and keep sailing. Be grateful. We wish you all the blessings of this holiday season and look forward to staying in touch with you in the weeks and months ahead. 

In the Sea Gull and Seafarer Spirit, 

John Hyde and Mary Laurence Crook