National Park Service Interns to Set Sail in New York City

Date: August 5, 2011
Contact: Mindi Rambo, 212-668-2208

New York, NY - The United States' maritime history will become a hands-on experience for a group of students from the urban areas of Massachusetts, New York and Maryland Aug. 7 when the National Park Service's (NPS) tall ship the Friendship of Salem sails from Salem Maritime National Historic Site in Massachusetts for New York City and three days of youth leadership, fellowship and stewardship before returning to port in Salem on Aug. 16. This is the first time the Friendship has sailed on an overnight voyage with a crew that includes students and its first trip to New York from Salem making this unique experience a once-in-a-lifetime event.  

 The 12 New York City students come from Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island and are participating in the National Parks of New York Harbor's Youth Intern Program (YIP). They work at the National Park Service Sites in the greater New York City area, including Gateway National Recreation Area, Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island, Governors Island, Castle Clinton National Monument, Federal Hall National Memorial, African Burial Ground National Monument, General Grant National Memorial and St. Paul's Church National Historic Site, which is located in Mt. Vernon, NY. They will participate in a special day sail on Thursday, Aug. 11 and then participate in a youth conference where they will explore leadership and team building on the Friendship and later camp under the stars at Gateway National Recreation Area, home to the country's largest urban campground. There, they will experience America's great outdoors in the last place most people would expect to find it -- deep in the heart of New York City.

• Press Tour of Friendship of Salem and interview opportunity with YIP students & captain
  There will be two (2) tours given. Each tour is limited to 5 reporters plus videographer/photographer and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
  When: 9:30AM or 10AM on Aug. 11, 2011
  Where: North Cove Marina
  RSVP: e-mail us or 212-668-2208   
         
• Welcome Ceremony and Flag Raising
  When: 10:30AM on Aug. 11, 2011
  Where: North Cove Marina 
  
• Public Visitation of the Friendship of Salem
  When:  10AM-3PM on Aug. 13, 2011
  Where:  North Cove Marina

*All programs subject to weather.

About the Friendship of Salem
The Friendship is a partnership project between the National Park Service and the Essex National Heritage Area. The Friendship of Salem is a full-size replica of the original ship constructed by the renowned shipbuilder Enos Briggs in Salem in 1797. She is a 171-foot three-masted "East Indiaman" - the type of merchant ship that made Salem a leader in the opening of international trade with the Far East, Europe and Russia in the years immediately following the American Revolution. The Friendship is the largest wooden, Coast Guard certified, sailing vessel to be built in New England in more than a century. She is part of the National Park Service's Salem Maritime National Historic Site and is a fully operational sailing vessel. Learn more about the Friendship at https://www.nps.gov/sama/historyculture/friendshiphistory.htm and http://www.friendshipofsalem.org/. 

About The National Parks of New York Harbor
The National Parks of New York Harbor helps coordinate 10 National Parks with 23 unique destinations in New York City and northern New Jersey. The National Parks of New York Harbor includes nearly 27,000 acres and welcomes more than 12 million visitors each year. The parks offer year-round public programs, curriculum-based education, recreational opportunities, natural habitats, historic buildings and museum collections. There are also many opportunities to become involved in volunteer and stewardship activities.     

 - NPS -