News
Full
sail ahead for The Atlantic Project
By Elizabeth Prata
Growing
up without a father is hard. Growing up without a
father because your dad committed suicide is extremely
hard, and potentially devastating to a youngster.
Pastor David Tidwell knows that hardship very well,
having grown up in rural Florida with a loving mom
but with the knowledge that he had lost his dad at
age 9 to suicide.
"My mom and my sisters were great but I still
felt a void, not having a dad," Pastor Tidwell
said. "Without the few good men around me, my
uncles, for example, and my relationship to God, my
life would have taken a very different turn."
Eighty percent of boys in prison have no father in
their lives, he explained, saying that he was on that
same path himself.
He grew up on the St. Johns River, messing around
on the water as any young boy would. One day, his
uncle brought him a banged up flat-bottom boat and
worked with him to fix it up and make it seaworthy.
"I remember the day that I put a sail on it and
went out on the water…I dreamed of bigger things."
For the last 35 years Pastor Tidwell has worked within
his ministry as a man of God with a special focus
on boys and men without fathers. About three years
ago an opportunity presented itself for the good Pastor
to work with youth, boys particularly, for their development
through sailing adventures. The Atlantic Project sailed
into his life.
Right, the latest addition to TAP
In 1987 a man named Rob Noll had started a program
that mentored young people by using sailing as a platform
for ministry. The program did very well, receiving
several sailboats as donations along with equipment
and finances. Soon there were boats operating out
of several Maine harbors as well as in Lake George,
NY.
As a yacht builder with Sabre Yachts and with his
experience and interest, Mr. Noll became Director
of The Atlantic Project (TAP). Unfortunately, in 1991,
he suffered a personal tragedy when his wife, Patricia,
died unexpectedly and he stepped down as Director.
The Atlantic Project stalled.
In May 2003, TAP was relaunched. A new Board of Directors
and a new team of sailors helmed the project to a
successful new first season's conclusion.
The
boys learn teamwork and independence, self-confidence,
a willingness to take controlled risks, and endurance.
Around this same time, Pastor Tidwell had bought a
used sailboat and was learning to sail himself. "Some
people told me that I shouldn't sail a larger boat,
but John Couture said 'you can do it.'" In the
midst of Pastor Tidwell's renewed interest in sailing
came people involved with TAP. "They encouraged
me to become involved and I thought 'why not give
it a try?'"
Sailing as an activity is unique in its ability to
teach though connecting with nature and overcoming
hardships nature can throw at you. While being in
an environment that can be unpredictable, there are
experienced people on hand to shepherd the boys through
the controlled risks.
"Sailing is another type of Outward Bound experience
and helps to build character," said Pastor Tidwell.
In a controlled crisis for example, if the wind kicks
up a bit and the boat rocks, "the boys suddenly
become a lot more teachable."
He offers an example from last year's sailing season.
"We were on Sebago Lake, which is akin to ocean
sailing when a storm comes in. When the boys got on
board they thought they were indomitable and fearless.
They were not interested in learning about the boat
but just wanted to enjoy the ride." Then a summer
squall came through. "Suddenly the boys were
totally absorbed with the boat. They were shocked
into reality that there was something more powerful
than themselves." The event only lasted about
20 minutes but during that time, and for the rest
of the day, "the boys had looked past their anger
and pain to see the good things they cannot even see
in themselves and were able to call that out."
John Couture, who runs State Farm Insurance in Gray,
is a blue water sailor and a single-hander. He had
sailed as a youth but had a motorcycle accident in
1985 which left him unable to use his legs. "In
the hospital I thought I was out of luck, especially
since I like to sail alone," Mr. Couture said.
But the sense of peace and serenity a sailor feels
when at one with the wind and waves was something
he did not want to give up. "I figured out a
way to sail and to enjoy that sense of independence
and serenity," he said.
Mr. Couture will be speaking to the participants as
this year's TAP season opens. He said that "you
can always figure out a way to do something no matter
what. It might not be the same as before, it might
be a different version, but if you work hard, you
can do it." It is that knowledge that he hopes
to impart to the boys and he hopes that they have
an opportunity to learn that and much more while participating
in TAP.
Pastor Tidwell said that TAP needs sponsors. "Merrill
Rollins of Kettle Cove Marina has been very generous
in donating to the project, and up to now I have carried
the financial burdens out of my pocket," he said.
There is insurance, and fuel, and equipment to buy.
"We need families or businesses to sponsor a
boy. All levels are welcome to contribute," Pastor
Tidwell said. Insurance for one year costs $1,500
and equipment repair and hauling the boat costs $1,000.
But a single sailing excursion sponsorship is only
$25 and a full summer sponsorship is only $200.
Both Pastor Tidwell and Mr. Couture said that sailing
is an excellent activity in which the boys who need
mentoring most can learn their hidden strengths and
that they are a valuable part of a team. For a boy
adrift in pain and anguish, with few if any male mentors
in their lives, The Atlantic Project is a wonderful
way to help them learn these priceless lessons.
-----------------------------
Dfd you know?
--TAP
is a tax-deductible organization.
--Send donations to The Atlantic Project, 20 Goshen
lane, New Gloucester, Maine, 04260.
--Call 207-233-7336 for dates and times of the courses
offered
2005 Courses: Fundamentals of Sailing, Safety Afloat,
Marlinspike Seamanship, Weather, Basic navigation,
Anchoring/Docking
