Serving Annapolis Youth
Named after the Grateful Dead song ‘Box of Rain’, the program was founded to honor the memory of Lee Griffin, a dedicated sailor and Annapolis community member. Box of Rain’s mission is to connect under-resourced youth to the Chesapeake Bay and their maritime heritage through fun, educational, and immersive experiences in nature. This year-round program has served and continues to serve hundreds of youth, ages 8-14, at the Museum’s Park Campus and on field trips throughout Anne Arundel County. These programs are designed to improve youth’s self-esteem and develop essential life skills that lead to personal growth and positive contributions in the broader community. It serves our youth through three core programs: the Build-a-Boat Program, an Afterschool Program, and the Summer Maritime Program.
Students participating in the 2020 Box of Rain Build-a-Boat program constructed this dinghy, you can see their names inscribed on the transom.
Read more about the programs being offered at AMM below.
The Build-a-Boat program, established in 2009, concentrates on the practical application of academics, craftsmanship, and team building in the planning and construction of a boat from a kit. Participants in the Build-A-Boat program utilize STEAM skills to construct a boat from a Chesapeake Light Craft kit. Participants are also taught life skills such as teamwork, following directions, appropriate work-area behavior, and they experience the satisfaction of a job well done. The boat building program runs for 12-weeks throughout the winter and provides participants with free breakfast and lunch.
The Summer Maritime Program will continue Box of Rain’s long-standing tradition of introducing children living in Annapolis public and subsidized housing to a variety of maritime experiences, including sailing, kayaking, fishing and environmental lessons. The museum has served as a partner for this program in the past.
