YMCA Take the HELM

04/25/2022

Take the HELM Crew members went to Tuckahoe State park this past weekend to learn about Turtle populations and to paddle the river to find turtles in the wild. After seeing over 150 unique turtles, we can call this trip a success!!

A huge thank you to ShoreRivers and Suzanne Sullivan for helping us put this trip together!

11/11/2021

The last month has seen plenty of activity in the shop! We have hosted CCPS special programs and our afterschool care program to build simple boxes, while Middle School TTH students have completed construction of their toolboxes and are working on learning box joints. We also have boatbuilders in the shop working on putting the finishing touches on the boat and getting ready for our next project!

We are actively seeking high school students to join our boatbuilding program: if you or anybody you know is interested in joining us Monday and Wednesday evenings, please send an email to Jason Staley at [email protected]

09/22/2021

The shop has been quiet, but not for much longer! We are excited to announce that Take the Helm will officially re-open on October 4th for both middle and high school students! Find more information at ytakethehelm.org or by emailing Jason Staley at [email protected]. We are excited to see you in the shop!

11/05/2020

Positive thought for the day, at least masks help keep the sawdust out of your mouth and nose! Boat progress continues with Take the Helm.

10/17/2020

A program grant through the Chesapeake Bay Trust allows our students to spend time on environmental education each week. This Cloud In A Jar experiment was a hit!

09/10/2020

Calling all students... a new season of Take the Helm has started and we're seeking new middle and high school students. Take the Helm is a free program at the Easton YMCA and engages students in boat building, woodworking, team building, and most importantly friend building. If you would like more information or even at tour, contact Alex Greenlee at [email protected].

02/24/2020

It's been a fun few weeks at Take the Helm including some boat planning and work as well as a few side projects including work on some original benches donated by Dr. Tony and Cindy Calabro.

12/20/2019

Always a great time during TTH's annual holiday party. Students played an intense game of TTH Jeopardy, had pizza, and participated in a white elephant gift exchange. To everyone involved in our program, thank you for all of your support! Happy Holidays from Take the Helm!

12/12/2019

Take the Helm does leadership activities each day before working on any wood-working project. Here are pictures from a notably fun activity in which students have to lead a blind-folded student( or program Director Alex) throw a rope maze. This game works on teamwork, communication, and trusting others; but is most of all fun!

12/05/2019

Check out a cool piece from WBOC on Josh Cherry, a local EHS student who built his blessing box and buddy bench at the Take the Helm shop with the help of our program director, Alex Greenlee. Great job Josh and Alex!

http://www.wboc.com/story/41408934/talbot-county-teen-creates-the-blessing-box-to-help-others-in-need #

The holiday season is a time of giving, and one young man -- who gives all year round -- has a new way to help others.

12/04/2019

Take the Helm has been busy the past few weeks! A few weeks ago our students hosted our environmental gallery showcasing their artwork and environmental projects surrounding their work learning about and growing oysters in the shop through a grant we received. Thanks to everyone that came out!

Our high school students have also begun lofting our boat; something our students have not done before and are looking forward to! Middle school students are finishing building a storage crate for shop games and leadership activities that comfortably fits 8th grade student "Bunk" in one of the pictures below. They also contributed to our environmental gallery and have been working on other individual projects.

Check out all our work in the pictures below!

11/18/2019

So thankful for our friends at ShoreRivers for including Take the Helm's video in their Wild and Scenic Film Festival. It was a truly inspiring night and I hope all of us can continue to make a positive impact on our local waterways!