Every February for the last three years, a 46-foot sailboat becomes both home and classroom to six lucky SMS students. The nine days they spend cruising the Bahamas aboard Boundless are packed with informal courses in navigation, steering, meteorology, reef ecology and astronomy.
As these examples from their journals and self-evaluations show, the girls also learn some valuable life lessons:

It was the most recent Minimester that stood out from the rest. In fact, it was unlike any trip that I have taken in my entire life. On a 46-foot sailboat, 10 random people got together to sail the beautiful, blue-green waters of the Bahamas. The voyage wasn’t always smooth sailing; many of us had to deal with either terrible homesickness or seasickness. Under the guidance of our captains, Liz and Jeff, we learned so much about a sailboat, like how to navigate and steer. We also were able to learn more about each other and ourselves, in preparation for navigating the next years of our lives. – Alston Moore ’02.

We sailed! Actually sailed! It was so extraordinary! All of the bad moments just made that one even better. I even put my feet over the side into the water while the boat was at a 35-degree angle. – Jacky Sydnor ’03

I saw the big shark
I jumped into the dinghy
it swam past laughing
-Victoria Grant '06

Left: Captain of the Day Lauren Glass ’05 checks the clouds as Captain Jeff Armor looks on. Above: The 2004 SMS sailors with their chaperone, math teacher (and avid sailor) Susan Stephenson.

After dinner, we went outside and talked about our goals in life. Goals for the next year, five years from now, and a lifetime. I have a lot to think about, I guess. Then we talked about some deep questions in our lives; questions that ranged from our greatest accomplishment to what color our underwear is. Then I went back down to write in my journal... then back up to the deck to learn about the stars and constellations. – Carter Holloway ’03.

Today we left Allen’s Cay. The wind is in a good direction, so being on the deck crew, I put up the sails. I had to climb ?up a few feet on the mast, which definitely pushed my comfort level. It was really scary for me because the boat was moving and the wind was blowing. Eek! I’m glad that I faced my fear. – Laura Caton ’03

My goals for the trip were to try new things and be open, get to know the other girls, learn, don’t get sunburned, and see stars, animals and everything. I met all of my goals except not getting sunburned. – Alli Johnson ’04

Three things I learned about myself: I can live in a small space with people I do not know really well, I do not get seasick very easily and I can live life in the moment. – Michelle Burch ’07

Mangroves with long roots,
twisting into clear water
deep into white sand
- Alli Johnson '04

I’ve only spent one night in a bed that doesn’t rock and already I am missing the comfort and discomfort of living on Boundless. I miss so much, including the lack of traffic noises and bright lights, the bright stars, gentle rocking, open sails, warm weather, uninhabited islands, lizards, and sense of adventure, among a million other things. I’m glad that I went on this trip. – Alston Moore ’02

The Bahamas trip will be offered again in Minimester 2005. Captain Liz Armor will join the SMS faculty as an English teacher this fall, and she, Captain Jeff, and their two-year-old daughter, Jennifer, will live on campus.