Educational & Youth Development
The Cuckolds Fog Signal and Light Station provides a unique venue to educate youth and the general public about the history of Cuckolds Light and its role in regional development, commerce, and coastal navigation. It is also an ideal setting in which to provide courses and training classes in marine safety and navigation, lessons about the environment and its stewardship, and exposure to careers and portable skills in such fields as the Coast Guard, marine resources, environmental education, boating and navigation, and other related areas.
The Council envisions a set of programs rich with interpretive education, and experiential learning, including fields trips, and a speakers and docents program through which we provide information and materials that can be taken into schools, summer camps, civic and community forums, libraries, museums, community centers such as the vibrant local YMCA, and many other venues.
Civilization and technological advancement have produced significant, measurable damage to wildlife and natural habitats. Some of today’s young people are equally at risk. The Council has formed a Teaming Agreement with the Earth Conservation Corps (ECC), which has an award-winning record of combing the natural resources of young people in America with the natural resources of our environment, to renew and restore each other, and make greater assets out of both. Working with our partner organizations, we envision an educational program that helps build skills, knowledge, attitudes and aptitudes that will help prepare participants to become responsible and contributing citizens and productive, self-sufficient adults.
Following is a brief overview of the potential educational programs that our volunteer leaders are prepared to offer:
Courses developed in conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard
- Boating Safety-Seminars would address types of boats and different uses of boats, boating laws, safety equipment, safe operation, and protecting the marine environment. Boat handling will help participants understand docking and mooring, knots, and the elements of a float plan. We will also address boating problems including hypothermia, capsizing, emergency radio calls, and rescues.
- Coastal Navigation-We will introduce coastal navigation and offer more advanced training as well. The work will focus on voyage planning, the earth’s coordinate system, measuring direction, the marine magnetic compass, concept of deviation and distinctions between compass north, magnetic north, and true north; and “swinging ship” and deviation table preparation.
We will work with nautical charts, plotting positions in terms of latitude and longitude; various chart types/scales and their appropriate uses; basic knowledge of chart symbols; rapid and reliable measurement of direction, distance, and location. The course will introduce navigation tools used in everyday practice; basic skills and familiarity with the use of plotting instruments. We will teach dead reckoning, piloting, and help participants understand tidal phenomena, causes, and typical variations and appreciate the practical reasons why tides are important to the mariner. Participants will learn to use Tide Tables to estimate the height of the tide at any time, and how to use the Tidal Current Tables to estimate the strength and direction of the current at any time.
Elements from the Earth Conservation Corp’s Workforce Curriculum that may be introduced at Cuckolds include:
- Universal Workplace Skills-The positive work habits, attitudes and behaviors needed to succeed in all jobs. Universal Workplace Skills include topics such as punctuality, attendance, appearance, teamwork, responsibility, following instructions and completing tasks, accepting constructive criticism, showing initiative and reliability, and adaptability. Lessons also cover acting within a solid ethical framework, communication effectively, working as a team, resolving conflicts, respecting diversity, and getting the most out of a mentoring relationship.
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Career Related Workplace Skills-The skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary to succeed in careers related to the environment, natural resource conservation, and restoration. Career Related Workplace Skills include work planning, organizing, and implementing. These skills include safety measure, record keeping, the use of tools, equipment and materials, and breakdown and cleanup at the worksite.
- Environmental and Natural Resource Conservation and Restoration-The basics of environmental stewardship, protection, and conservation; natural habitat restoration, shoreline and tidal pool marine life; and other topics related to understanding our natural resources, sources of pollution, ways individuals can protect and preserve the delicate eco-balance.
- Job Search Knowledge and Skills-The information needed to understand the job market and the hiring process. Job Search Knowledge and Skills include career exploration and occupational information, understanding the world of work and how the labor market works, developing job search techniques including effective telephone techniques, writing a good resume and cover letter, requesting letters of reference, preparing for job interviews, and learning the skills that will keep a good job and move up the career ladder. A special “Job Search CD-ROM” will be provided to participants.
Interpretive Education and Outreach
More comfortable access to Cuckolds Lights, its purpose, history, rehabilitation and current role in the community will offered through our interpretive outreach program. Outreach will include:
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Shore-side kiosks;
- Materials placed in the Southport Public Library, which is within walking distance of the Newagen Harbor, and in the Squirrel Island Library;
- An exhibit in Southport’s historic Hendricks Hill Museum;
- Historically accurate information provided to tour boats and visiting cruise ships; and
- Community presentations, museum forums, and other activities of our volunteer docents.
These education programs afford additional opportunity for Southport Island, Boothbay Harbor and Lincoln County residents and visitors to participate in the Cuckolds Light rehabilitation as volunteers, mentors, and instructors, to learn more about the Cuckolds Light and the importance of this resource to our community.