2021 Annual Report

Sound Experience Aboard the Schooner Adventuress

Educate, Inspire & Empower

We are Sound Experience, a 30-plus year nonprofit education organization dedicated to Washington State youth and our marine environment. Our education platform is the schooner Adventuress, a fully-restored 1913 National Historic Landmark ship.

Exploring Possibilities

Maritime

Helping students to experience the maritime industry as a possible career path.

Environment

Exploring current issues in marine science and experiencing the Puget Sound and the Salish Sea.

Leadership

Creating an environment for young people to contribute their unique strengths where they feel valued and are encouraged to  reach higher.

Engaging Hands-on Experiences

322

Children and teens served on day and consecutive day shipboard programs

67

Underway program days

28

Seattle Public School students received high school credit for summer Career Connected Learning programs

Growing Strong Community

24

Crew members employed during the pandemic

7

Prospective youth apprentices

First

Trans Youth tall ship program on the West Coast

Over 10

Community partnerships developed and/or deepened

Virtual Dock Talks

Saturday Seminars with Captain Katelinn Shaw

• Hold That Thought - Three Seizings
  
• Sails: Design & Construction
  
• Haul Out! What Are We Doing in the Air?
  
• Weather - Why is it Winter? *

How Puget Sound Shaped My Life and My Stories

Jim Lynch, Novelist

Plastic Pollution in the Salish Sea

Julie Masura, Associate Teaching Professor & Research Scientist, University of Washington Tacoma

Planting Trees for Orcas

Whitney Neugebauer, Founder and Director of Whale Scout

Tips and Tricks for Efficient Professional Varnishing *

Joni Blanchard, Owner of Leatherwood Finishing Company

* Held in-person during Volunteer Winter Work Weekends

Consecutive

Day Programs

In order to bring students on board Adventuress safely and navigating the Covid pandemic, Sound Experience launched week-long Consecutive Day Programs.  These programs are meant for the same group of students and will build off the prior days learning.

• Monday through Friday, 4 - 6hrs per day
  
• 1- 4 weeks in length
  
• Limited number of participants to increase social distancing
  
• Programs focused on three areas - maritime skills, environment stewardship and leadership
  

Why Consecutive Day Programs?

Covid Impact

• Safety is our top priority. To maximize safety for participants and crew, we minimized the number of start dates which allowed crew to work with the same participants for a longer period of time rather than shorter trips with many students. By having fewer, longer sessions, we created a protected bubble for participants and crew. This model reflects best practices from ACA (American Camping Association) programs that had ran successful programs in summer 2020.
  

Social/Emotional Impact

• During the pandemic there has been a loss of continuity of daily routine for our youth with school, extra-curricular activities, etc. For some, those changes extended into a break in healthcare, special services and can create a loss of safety and security. Being able to support young people’s social and emotional needs is crucial at this time, and a need in all our communities.
  

Transformative Learning Opportunities

• Our ship is a platform with the power to transform.
  
• We provide connections and pathways to maritime and environmental science.
  

Stories from the Ship

2021 Season 1 Program Coordinator - Steve Grace

Everett at Sea Consecutive Day Program

"During the Marine Life 2.0 curriculum the students invented their own creatures with adaptations to their environment, blending creativity with knowledge of biology and ecology.  Seeing the students so excited about science--watching them crowd around a jar to see what would happen when they added an orange peel and hearing them explain their predictions and interpret the results makes me want to spend a lot more time aboard Adventuress doing programs like this one."

"When I asked the students why they thought the little forage fish were so difficult to capture, one student said, "Because they have been evolving for millions of years to be fast so that predators can't catch them." His ability to articulate some key principles of evolutionary biology surpasses that of many adults. He is twelve years old."

"The quotation of the day goes to one student in particular, who recently turned ten years old. I asked him how his experience on the head rig went. The student is small and soft-spoken. I kneeled next to him to hear his answer. He quietly said, "I overcame my fear."

Program Partners

Partnerships are a very important aspect of all work that happens at Sound Experience.  We collaborate and build alliances with partner organizations to help achieve greater impact, efficacy, access and sustainability with the participants, and communities we serve as well as the programs we offer.

Over 10 partnerships with developed or deepened in 2021.

New  Program Highlight

Trans Families is a nonprofit organization that has been supporting transgender people and their families since 2008.

In September, the schooner Adventuress got

underway for two consecutive day sails out of Shilshole Bay in Seattle with TransFamilies TYTAN (Trans Youth Taking Action)  youth group.

The goal of the program was to provide transgender and gender-diverse teenagers space to be themselves in a fun, dynamic and healthy environment. One that supported all differences, embraced meeting new people, expanded comfort zones, and built confidence.

A program that modeled teamwork and responsibility, and provided strong crew role models with respect to environmental stewardship and community as well as maritime career paths.

Program Locations

• Bellingham
• Friday Harbor, San Juan Island
• Port Townsend
• Everett
• Seattle
• Tacoma
  

Crew

24 crew members employed

Due to the pandemic, there was a need to increase and modify our crew structure.  Therefore, a contracted commuter crew model was implemented  rather than a live aboard seasonal employment model that had been used in the past. This allowed local crew to be employed and for Covid-responsible programs to be run aboard Adventuress.

Thank you to an incredible crew community who rallied to support the programs!

Thank You

2021 Crew!

Angi Lungu

Anne Willey

Emma Gregory

Emrys Takahashi

EJ Anderson

Faran Kahlia

Gray McKenna

Gus Beer

Griffin Hoines

Gaia Wilson

Josefine Wallace

Jing Zhong

Katherine Hoerauf

Lena Goss

Emma LeValley

Cyrus Belenky

Meredith Carle

Miranda Holmes

Sam Nadell

Steve Grace

Maris Winters

Madeline Savage

Ginny Wilson

Victor Boyer

Volunteering

1,008 Hours

Shipboard leadership, working with Covid-responsible protocols, utilized dedicated local volunteers to accomplish many routine winter projects including the up-rig of Adventuress.

The captains initiated an “adopt a box” program which made it possible for volunteers to take deck boxes, hatches and woodworking projects home. Volunteers varnished or repaired their projects using a box of supplies provided by Sound Experience.

November saw a return to Volunteer Winter Work Weekends and increased work with community partners and high school interns.

Maintaining a National Historic Landmark

While the pandemic presented challenges during much of the year, we relied heavily on the support of dedicated volunteers, businesses and community members to help maintain this important National Historic Landmark and on-the-water education classroom. A special shout-out to:

• CSR Marine and Scott Anderson for assessing and repairing the old fiberglass potable water tanks. Because of their excellent work, we now have a much more reliable water system than we had last year. (Time and materials were donated)
  

• Board and Ship Committee member, Dirk Kristensen who used an audio gauge to sonically test the main diesel tank's steel integrity.
  

• Winter deckhand EJ Anderson, ship committee members Mark Donahue, Henry Sharpe and Phil Rome along with a consultation from Haven Boatworks' Blaise Holly for working together to transform a main topmast into a main gaff before the sailing season.
  

• Peninsula Glass in Port Hadlock supported the repair of the deckhouse windows through a generous discount.
  

• Bill Hamilton for stripping and revarnishing the ship's wheel.
  

• Ben Theard for repairing the binnacle cover and replacing the broken glass.
  

• Phil Rome for replacing the glass in the galley butterfly hatch.
  

Membership

A Sound Experience Membership conjures up sails on Adventuress, volunteer opportunities and a connection to the Salish Sea.

Member Sails could not occur in 2021 due to Covid. Our members, however continued to support our programs.

• 144 memberships renewed
• $16,000  membership supported income which shows their unconditional dedication to Adventuress
  

This support helped to ensure that Sound Experience could deliver more programs to youth throughout the Salish Sea.

Conferences and Presentations

Financial Overview

2021 Income

Community Financial Support

$33,000 raised

Including $10,000 match

94 donations

86 donors

$83,000 raised net

21 fundraising teams

206 donations

$36,000 sponsorships

31 companies and individuals

& Year-End Giving

$73,000 raised

152 donations

143 donors

The Adventuress Cup

A Race for the Salish Sea

On Saturday, September 18, 2021, sailboats, motorboats and an enthusiastic ever-growing community came together in Puget Sound to support the mission of Sound Experience. The inclusive, 2nd annual on-the-water and virtual event highlights the extraordinary Salish Sea marine environment and to raise funds to support the work of the iconic, fully-restored schooner Adventuress in a peer-to-peer style race.

Folks participated by:

• Racing their sailboat
• Creating a virtual team
  
• Joining the pre-race parade with their powerboat
  
• Becoming a sponsor
  
• Completing pre-race, educational activities called Wind in Your Sails Challenges to support a team
  
• Donating to a team
  

Thank you to our

Generous 2021 Adventuress Cup

Sponsors

Dedicated to Excellence

Sound Experience Board of Directors

Board Led Committees

Development

Education

Finance

Julie Masura

Years on Board: 2016-present        Years in Sound Experience Community:  12 years (2012)

Board Leadership Position and/or Committee Membership:   Board President, all Committees

Hello! My name is Julie Masura and I have been with Sound Experience since 2011, partnering with this group by exploring microplastic marine debris in the Salish Sea. Since then, I was the Chair of the Education Committee and am now the Board President. I love the Salish Sea and have the honor to be a part of a community that shares my passion of providing opportunities for all to board our ship the Adventuress and leave a part of our crew!

Alex Tellez

Years on Board: 2020-present        Years in Sound Experience Community: 2 years (2020)

Board Leadership Position and/or Committee Membership: Secretary, Executive Committee, Development Committee

Hello! My name is Alex Tellez and I have partnered with Sound Experience since 2020. As a recent Marine Science and Policy graduate at UW, I was inspired by the work Sound Experience is doing to foster stewardship of the Salish Sea in the community. I currently serve as the Board Secretary and am honored to support such an impactful organization.

Pat Pielage

Years on Board: 2015-2021       Years in Sound Experience Community:

Board Leadership Position and/or Committee Membership: Vice President, Education Committee Chair

Amy Swenson

Years on Board: 2017-2022         Years in Sound Experience Community:

Board Leadership Position and/or Committee Membership: Treasurer, Finance Committee Chair

Rusty Lhamon

Years on Board: 2020-present        Years in Sound Experience Community:

Board Leadership Position and/or Committee Membership: Development Committee Chair

Michele Wolski

Years on Board: 2009-2017, 2021 to present        Years in Sound Experience Community: 38 years (1984)

Board Leadership Position and/or Committee Membership: Education Committee Chair

I joined the Sound Experience Community as volunteer crew in 1984. I remained engaged for many years beyond as a volunteer at Wooden Boat Festivals, as a high school science teacher sailing and learning with my students, and finally as a Board Member. After 33 years in the classroom, I have retired. I am filling my days with travel, most recently to Africa and London, hiking and bicycling and looking forward to spending more time onboard Adventuress and with the SE community.

David Jackson

Years on Board: 2020-present        Years in Sound Experience Community:  18 years (2004)

Board Leadership Position and/or Committee Membership: Ship Committee Chair

I came on board Adventuress during Ernie Bennet's leadership as a volunteer and once as a relief captain. I started on the Ship Committee and am now the chair.

Joshua Berger

Years on Board: 2016-present        Years in Sound Experience Community: 10+ years

Board Leadership Position and/or Committee Membership: Ship Committee

Joshua is a beloved past captain of Adventuress and now is the President & CEO of Maritime Blue. As a strategic alliance to accelerate innovation for a sustainable and inclusive maritime and ocean economy, Joshua works at home and abroad to support economic growth, address climate action, and serve communities’ interests. He is also a licensed and professional Merchant Mariner having worked in the towing industry and aboard traditional sailing ships as platforms for education and training, including nearly ten years as Captain and Restoration Project Manager of the historic schooner Adventuress.

Jim Congdon

Years on Board: 2001-2004, 2010-2014 and 2017-present       Years in Sound Experience Community: 16 years

Board Leadership Position and/or Committee Membership: Development Committee

I am a retired physician and enjoy sailing and our maritime history. I strongly identify with the mission of Sound Experience to introduce the ecology of the Salish Sea to our community, provide the youth of our region the opportunity to sail aboard Adventuress and at the same time preserve our cherished, historic maritime vessel, Adventuress.

Ben Crowl

Years on Board: 2018-2021         Years in Sound Experience Community:

Board Leadership Position and/or Committee Membership: Finance Committee

Caitlin Hardy

Years on Board: 2019-present        Years in Sound Experience Community:

Board Leadership Position and/or Committee Membership:

Hi! My name is Caitlin Hardy and I was fortunate enough to have my own experience onboard a tall ship as a kid and saw first hand the magic and power ships like Adventuress lend to learning about our oceans, engineering, and teamwork. Organizations like Sound Experience create pivot points for youth to dare to dream and to see what bright futures exist from the maritime industry to understanding our oceans.

Michael Hoffman

Years on Board: 2000-2004, 2008-2014, 2022-present        Years in Sound Experience Community:  23 years (1999)

Board Leadership Position and/or Committee Membership: Marrowstone Island/Outdoor Education Committee, Development Committee

Ahoy, my name is Michael Hoffman, and I’ve been involved as a volunteer and Board Member with Sound Experience since 2000. As an architect, local business owner for 20 yrs, and avid sailor, I cherish the Salish Sea and our unique, interconnected, environment. I see the life-changing effects of education and outreach programs aboard Adventuress as critical to the health of our environment and social fabric, and I look forward to helping guide our future.

Satish Iyer

Years on Board: 2021-present        Years in Sound Experience Community: 5 years (2017)

Board Leadership Position and/or Committee Membership: Development Committee

Hello my name is Satish Iyer and I joined Sound Experience as a Development Committee member in 2017. I became a Board Member in 2021. It has been an absolute honor and joy for me to be part of an organization that makes an amazing impact to our environment and the children in our communities through their educational programs.

Jason Karas

Years on Board: 2019-present        Years in Sound Experience Community: 4 years (2019)

Board Leadership Position and/or Committee Membership: Strategic Planning, Development Committee

Hi, I'm Jason Karas. I grew up sailing and teaching sailing in New England, and I was thrilled to find Sound Experience when my family moved to Seattle. Sailing had a huge impact on my growth as a kid. It built my confidence & independence, fostered curiosity about nature & environmental issues, and created lifelong relationships. I'm a business planner and entrepreneur, and I love that I can apply those skills to expand the reach of Sound Experience, introducing more kids to the joys and learning only possible aboard a sailboat.

Dirk Kristensen

Years on Board: 2018-present        Years in Sound Experience Community:

Board Leadership Position and/or Committee Membership: Ship Committee

Maggie Mallon

Years on Board: 2021-present        Years in Sound Experience Community: 7 years (2015)

Board Leadership Position and/or Committee Membership: Strategic Planning

I am a long-time member of Sound Experience and joined the board in 2021. I’m passionate about the Sound Experience’s commitment to undeserved youth and the health of the Salish Sea. With an equal passion for people development, I’m excited to learn more about how this amazing organization works and to share my expertise in order to further strengthen our capabilities.

Katey Noonan

Years on Board: 2021- present        Years in Sound Experience Community: 1 year (2021)

Board Leadership Position and/or Committee Membership:

Hi there! My name is Katey Noonan, and I'm a brand new board member with Sound Experience. I'm no stranger to the maritime world however, as I was a Sea Explorer in my youth and had family in the industry! I'm a marine insurance broker in the Pacific Northwest, specializing in Longshore Insurance, and am excited to bring my expertise to the group!

Dave Schoeggl

Years on Board: 2016- present        Years in Sound Experience Community: 6 years (2016)

Board Leadership Position and/or Committee Membership: Ship Committee, Finance Committee

I am a lifetime boater and currently own an old wooden boat. I've always admired Adventuress and was interested in the Board for that reason, but my true passion is helping to get more disadvantaged kids out on the water. I'm also a lawyer in Seattle practicing aviation and insurance law.

Henry Veldman

Years on Board: 2020-present        Years in Sound Experience Community:

Board Leadership Position and/or Committee Membership: Finance Committee, Development Committee

Captain Jonathan Ward

Years on Board: 2015-present        Years in Sound Experience Community:

Board Leadership Position and/or Committee Membership: Development Committee

Jim Welsh

Years on Board: 2019-present        Years in Sound Experience Community:

Board Leadership Position and/or Committee Membership: Finance Committee

Catherine Collins

Executive Director

Passionate about youth empowerment

Sound Experience Staff and Captains

Nate Seward

Captain

Katelinn Shaw

Captain

Gordon Sims

Administrative Captain

Susan Brittain

Marketing, Membership & Public Programs Associate

Amy Kovacs

Program Director

Jenny Huntley

Asst. Director of Program & Development

Sound Experience

aboard the schooner Adventuress

Sail

Donate

volunteer

PO Box 1390 Port Townsend, WA 98368     |     (360) 379-0438     |     www.soundexp.org