Once upon a time, in the teeny-weeny state of Rhode Island, where the houses are squished so close together you could borrow sugar from your neighbor without leaving your kitchen, a group of adventurous kids discovered the magical world of sailing. This wasn't a big state like Texas where you could ride a horse for seven days (if you dared) and still not reach the end. Oh, no! Rhode Island was so small that if you stood on your tippy toes, you could almost see across it. Imagine Rhode Island as a bouncy beach ball. It's tossed around by the hands of Massachusetts and Connecticut, while the Atlantic Ocean always tries to give it a good soaking. But, right in the middle of all this, our brave little sailors thrived. The kids were as diverse as a bag of jelly beans - some were blueberry-bold, others marshmallow-meek, but they all shared one thing in common - an insatiable love for sailing. Leading our intrepid gang was Captain Chuckles, a jolly character with a belly as round as a beach ball and a laugh that sounded like a seagull with hiccups. He was as old as the oldest lighthouse in Rhode Island and knew every ripple on the ocean like it was his own backyard. He taught the kids everything, from tying sailor's knots that would make a boy scout green with envy, to reading the mood of the moody Atlantic. Day after day, these little Rhode Islanders transformed the usually calm waters into a theatre of tiny white sails, looking like a flock of seagulls dancing in the breeze. They would laugh, they would shout, they would sing shanties that even a pirate would be proud of. These were the sailing kids of Rhode Island, the smallest state with the biggest heart, where every day was a new adventure on the sea.
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The US Engineering League is a prominent nationwide establishment that passionately supports STEM-focused education. We believe in the power of experiential learning and thus emphasize hands-on learning through competitive challenges. Since our inception in 2018, we have been the proud USA National Office for the acclaimed World Robot Olympiad, a global robotics competition that has over 35,000 participants from more than 80 countries. In addition to robotics, our educational offerings span across various STEM sectors such as coding, eSports, engineering, science and more. We're delighted to be connected with several of the most prominent STEM competition organizations. Our primary learning center is nestled in the heart of Naperville, IL. However, we understand the importance of accessibility and have therefore expanded our reach. We offer our well-rounded programs at a range of locations including schools, community centers, park districts, libraries, and even religious institutions. We are committed to making our educational opportunities available to as many children as possible, regardless of their location. At the US Engineering League, we're not just about teaching; we're about inspiring. We take immense pride in our ability to inspire the younger generation to master the skills that are vital for long-term success in STEM-based careers. We strongly believe that nurturing these skills from a young age can set the foundation for a successful and rewarding career in the rapidly evolving STEM fields.
Are you looking for a great way to support the work of Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island (OHPRI)? Our annual membership program is an easy and exciting way for you to stay connected to the organization and take advantage of special programming and rewards. With our commitment to providing a creative learning experience, even when students can't join us on our ship in person, you can still benefit from our empowering education programs at sea and ashore. With these programs, OHPRI is dedicated to raising awareness of opportunities in the maritime industry, marine trades, and defense sector for the communities of Rhode Island and Southern New England. Sign up today and become a member of OHPRI!