'Teaching With Small Boats' Special Presentation, NAPS Annual Meeting and Ice Cream Social, Sunday, July 21, 2pm-4pm

UPDATE: On a warm Sunday afternoon, over 30 NAPS members and community residents attended the presentation and meeting - full article to be posted soon. Andy Sitison was unanimously elected to the NAPS Board of Directors. The membership voted to reserve the other open seat for a student board member to be selected in August or September, per changes to the by-laws approved at the 2023 NAPS Annual Meeting.

(Original article:)

NAPS will be presenting a special program about our successful "Teaching With Small Boats" summer STEM program for students, in partnership with Reedville Fishermen's Museum, Sunday, July 21, 2pm-4pm at the museum. The event is free and open to the public with complimentary ice cream social to follow. (Water will be available – please bring your own tumbler/cup if you can to help reduce waste.)

The program will also update plans for NAPS’ Fall Creek Cleanup, Ghost Crab Pot Roundup, new Paddler’s Guide and other initiatives.

NAPS will hold a brief Annual Meeting after the presentations and during the ice cream social. Interested non-members are welcome to join us.

The "Teaching with Small Boats" program began in June, hosted by Reedville Fishermen's Museum (RFM), engaging students from Northumberland Middle School in hands-on learning. The program introduced students to maritime concepts, boat-building techniques, and nautical skills. Participants built and launched their own small boats, guided by RFM’s expert instructor, David Clark. NAPS donated $1,000 to provide each student with a toolbox and materials for the project, and several NAPS members donated their time and effort.

“This immersive experience not only fosters craftsmanship and teamwork but also instills a deep appreciation for our region's maritime history,” said Shauna McCranie, RFM executive director and member of the NAPS board of directors. 

If you haven't already, please consider joining NAPS to help support environmental stewardship and education in our community – you can join securely online at NAPSva.org/join-help, or send a check to NAPS, P.O. Box 567, Heathsville, VA 22473 (Family=$25, Individual=$15, Sustaining=$100, Patron=$250, Business=$50+). You can also join or renew your membership at the Annual Meeting (check, CC, ApplePay, etc…).

If you have any questions or ideas, please don't hesitate to reach out – email Stewardship@NAPSva.org. It's our members who suggest and guide NAPS' projects, programs and initiatives to make a difference in our community. 

Please share – everyone is welcome to attend!