On Thursday, October 13th, a group of aspiring eighth grade pioneers set sail on an inspiring historic journey. The Kalmar Nyckel, a Dutch built, Swedish owned merchant ship from the 17th century, has long been a Delaware landmark giving visitors an opportunity to experience how settlers of North America’s distant past lived in a more challenging time.
Delaware’s official “Tall Ship”, as evidenced by the state flag, is a replica of the original Kalmar Nyckel. The Ship and Museum, located in downtown Wilmington, serves to give students a real, kinesthetic feel for how our ancestors survived and the hardships they endured to begin a new life in the new world.
Three groups of students cycled through several different settler experiences. Students participated in a blacksmith demonstration, trading simulation and a day in the life of a Swedish settler. In addition, an exciting demonstration showed the intricate details involved in firing a Naval Cannon. During this team building exercise, students began to realize that if one of them didn’t do their job properly, did their duty in the wrong order or performed too slowly, it could spell explosive disaster for the ship.
The most impressive portion of the field trip involved taking a short ride on the Kalmar Nyckel which is in complete working order. With a crew of full-time sailors, as well as, part-time volunteers, the ship takes trips on the Christina River year round giving visitors a truly “hands-on” learning experience.
While on the ship, students busied themselves with a variety of activities an actual colonial crew would have to accomplish on a voyage. Concepts such as the physics involved in sailing, food requirements on long seafaring journeys and the operational hierarchy of personnel needed for the vessel to function properly were explored.
The Kalmar Nyckel gives students an authentic immersive learning experience which is fun and exciting. The trip was a great experience for all attendees, thank you Mrs. Golder for organizing such an illuminating event!
