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COMO Witemeyer answers questions. |
Of all the missions of the Coast Guard Auxiliary perhaps public education
is the most important. Reaching out to folks and preparing them for the unforeseen
as they enjoy water activities is essential for their well-being.
Flotilla 16-7 (D5-NR), based at Station Manasquan Inlet in Point Pleasant
Beach, NJ, has expanded its role beyond offering the standard courses to include
the Auxiliary course entitled "Water 'n Kids". The program in Division
16 began in 1991; it was Dona Turner (16-8) and Patti Witham (16-7) who persuaded
then new member Brenda Moscatiello (16-7) to become qualified as an instructor
and join them in teaching young children.
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It's orange so you can be seen. |
She became known as "Miss Brenda" to all the children where she brought Water 'n Kids program. As the program grew Mrs. Moscatiello enlisted shipmates Jack Witemeyer (16-7) in 1998 and Ron Coleman (16-7) in 2001. Today, the program is spear-headed by Jack Witemeyer who is the Immediate Past District 5-NR Commodore (IPDCO).
Joining Jack and Ron in offering boating and water safety classes to children
are Flotilla 16-7 Auxiliarists Gerard San Antonio, Dennis Georgia, Bill Castagno,
Charmaine Schermondstires, and John Fisher. The flotilla has been called upon
to teach children from age three all the way to age seventeen. Groups of children
in local nursery schools, elementary schools, scouting programs, summer library
and recreation programs all have received water and boating safety instruction.
Classes are interactive; show and tell items such as plastic boats, throw rings
and life jackets are displayed and discussed. The children are encouraged to
try on the life jackets while proper sizing is discussed. Safety items like
first aid kits, flashlights, and radios are included in the items that should
be aboard any vessel. Sitting quietly while a boat is in motion can be boring
for youngsters, so ways to be helpful, like being a lookout, are discussed.
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Make sure it fits! |
Additional topics presented to the children include pollution and environment issues. The impact of soda cans, plastic water bottles and bags, and plastic six-pack soda can rings are reinforced by stories about "Inky the Whale" and "Officer Snook". The three R's of recycling - reduce, reuse, recycle - are stressed.
Youngsters are encouraged to follow the adage: "If you load it at the dock, unload it at the dock." As the age level of the children increases, so to does the complexity of the lesson and the books utilized. "Boating Fun - Adventure on the Water" and "Waypoints - A Guide to Boating Safety" are used in the instruction process.
Sometimes adults are in attendance at these classes and they are quite thankful for the information given to the children. Hearing their comments and seeing the smiles on the faces of the youngsters makes it all worth the effort.
If you are an instructor and wish to expand your horizons, look into this program.
You will be stimulated beyond belief!
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WRH ~ 10/03/10