Tall Ships Return To Dana Point, Orange County Kids Set Sail

DANA POINT, CA — Tall ships sailed into Dana Point harbor, and 175 students from North Orange County's Title 1 Schools were on hand to witness the event, according to the OC GRIP program. Schools that participated in the event included: Gauer Elementary and Price Elementary in Anaheim, Gilbert Elementary and Whitaker Elementary in Buena Park, Maple Elementary, Woodcrest Elementary, and Valencia Park Elementary in Fullerton.

Students, who have earned the opportunity to attend this special event by achieving goals of improving their attendance, academic performance, and/or behavior, gathered at the Ocean Institute and board one of seven historic tall ships for a sailing adventure featuring historical reenactments, including cannon battles. This thanks to the OC GRIP program with the Orange County Sheriff's Department, Orange County Sheriff's Department and cities across Orange County.

The program, originated to identify at-risk youth in the hopes of increasing school attendance and decrease gang activity, has the added benefit of providing those youth with amazing opportunities, such as the Tall Ships Festival.

The OC GRIP program provides mentorship from law enforcement and community partners and offers incentives for positive behavior, perfect attendance, and staying out of gangs, Orange County District Attorney's office has said.

The event is made possible by through the collaborative efforts of Ocean Institute and OC GRIP.

The Tall Ships Festival will take place this weekend, from Sept. 7-Sept. 9.

For more information, visit: www.ocean-institute.org/event/parade-sail

Photo, courtesy David Okun