I first sailed on Clearwater in 2019 on a field trip with my AP Environmental Science class. I was familiar with Clearwater from my upbringing in the Hudson Valley but while aboard I became so fascinated by the lifestyle and work of the crew, that I returned as a volunteer the following summer. While I volunteered, we sailed from Beacon to upper Manhattan and I saw where I grew up from the river for the first time. This newfound perspective deepened my sense of understanding and belonging in the Hudson Valley, inspiring me to stay in the area and seek further growth.
After graduating college this spring, I found myself wanting to spend more time outdoors (and less time in a library) and I wondered if I could come back to the sloop to find a similar feeling of purpose and belonging years later. I returned again, initially to volunteer for a week in June, had a wonderful time, and asked for a long-term job. In August, I came back as an Educator Deckhand Trainee, at first only for a month but I was soon convinced to stay until the end of the sailing season and through downrig. I was first drawn to Clearwater by the opportunity to provide people with a unique perspective of their homes from the river, but the fulfillment of hard work, stewardship, and fun convinced me to stay. I immediately found myself engrossed in a different type of education: one centered around caring for myself, the crew, and my environment — both the vessel that we called home and the Hudson River. I quickly learned how much work goes into the day-to-day operations of the sloop, and the importance of doing each task completely and doing it well.
In September, as we waited to welcome a school group, I was surprised to see my high school Environmental Science teacher step off the bus. (He was just as surprised to see me too!) This full-circle moment showed me firsthand the impact that a single field trip could have, and that it is possible to inspire young people through hard work, community, and the chance to touch a fish. Now I was able to share what I was learning about cultivating a sense of recognition and compassion for each other and for the larger ecological systems that we inhabit.
I discovered that I found great enjoyment in labor-intensive work, not in spite of long days, but because of them., The unconventional conditions and close quarters built a culture of trust and compassion. It takes a particular environment and group of people to be able to maintain a positive attitude while scraping algae out of the brine barrel or while hauling up the tops’l for the third time in a day, but the effort to keep spirits high was remarkable. There was always someone there to “check my work,” or to repeatedly remind me of the proper way to tie a stopper knot. Through the difficult days and the steep learning curve, I felt surrounded by community which inspired me to stay and grow into the best trainee I could be.
I met countless former crew members and friends of the boat who came to visit, showing the long-lasting connections that are fostered by living and working on the Clearwater. Even now, a few weeks after leaving the sloop, I find myself repeating a phrase carved into a plaque in the port head: “Assume positive intentions.”
The vast network created by Clearwater continues to amaze me. Throughout the Hudson Valley, people always have anecdotes or fond memories of their relationship with the sloop to share. Recently, I struck up a conversation with someone who was a trainee in 2006 and has continued to keep up with the sloop. This chance encounter at a tea shop was one of many that have arisen out of the blue in the most unexpected places – even my dentist was thrilled to hear that I was working on Clearwater. These moments attest to the power of the Clearwater to create relationships between people, and with the boat and river. I feel incredibly fortunate to have lived on the river, built a deeper connection to the watershed, and now to hear and relate to people’s personal experiences. Our work not only brings us closer to our beloved estuary, but also much closer to each other in recognizing our collective role in caring for our homes and communities. On a personal level, I’ve learned how to live meaningfully in community, how to be confident in myself and my work, and the importance of bringing people together and to the river.
It is hard to begin to quantify my experience onboard the Clearwater without relying on cliches, but I offer my most sincere gratitude to the organization and the crew for their influence, consideration, and support.
For three generations, Clearwater has nurtured a deep and abiding love for the Hudson River because of the generosity of donors like you. Help us keep the Clearwater magic alive and the sloop sailing for the next generation.
