Black Jack Camp 3

I have been in touch with Captain McNaught on the Black Jack and have an update from the Island. Camp number 3 started Monday morning and following the in-house information, the afternoon was spent sailing Black Jack as well as the whalers.

Tuesday was a very full day. The Black Jack sailed to a reef off Mohr island to swim. In the evening They sailed again to Buckham’s Bay for the first overnight on the ship.

Today, after wake up and breakfast everyone participated in a Captain’s Happy Hour. After a sail to Quyon, the ship’s company enjoyed some shore leave. This evening the plan is to sail to the island where the trainees will start work on their survival shelters to spend the night.

Don’t forget that you can post photos to our Facebook page and share them with others!

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Watermelon Football

Long time no updates...right? Well here you are anxious parents and relatives. The Black Jack had its best sail that the Captain can remember in a few years! They sailed the entire way up the river on the weekend with fantastic results! The tall ship Olympics are now underway and the competition is heating up. The trainees are all also working on their PCOC cards.

Today when I spoke to Captain McNaught, everyone was just finishing up a swim before lunch. This morning there were whaler races. For lunch Chef Kean made grilled cheese and chicken soup. The plan for the afternoon was a sail to Mohr Island for a game of watermelon football. Tonight the ship’s company will camp out on an island in Pontiac Bay.

Don't forget to keep your eye on our Facebook page to see quick updates as they come in!
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Program Update

Update from the Fair Jeanne:

Yes, she still exists! The Fair Jeanne has been undergoing a huge refit this spring as part of a five-year work plan. The ship has been a frenzy of activity all spring. Now the finish line seems to be in sight! Last week the crew delivered her to Prescott where rigging began. This weekend there will be deck tours Saturday and Sunday from about 10-4 each day. If you are curious to see her and the new renovations stop by for a look. Fair Jeanne is currently moored at the Prescott Marina, just south of Water Street.

Update from Black Jack Camp 2

The plan has changed a little bit from what I blogged yesterday. There will still be a whaler expedition, but not for a few more days. When I spoke to Captain McNaught this morning the entire ship’s company was in the midst of making model boats. After then are finished making them everyone will race their boat.

This afternoon will start with a swim...if everyone isn’t already soaked by the rain. Following that the plan is to sail Black Jack back to Ottawa where they will have a pump out and re-fuel. Everyone will spend the night on board the ship.

Yesterday as I reported there was a lot of whaler sailing. Everyone sailed to Mohr Island for a LONG swim. After swimming they sailed back to the island where the tall ship Olympics were introduced. For dinner Kean cooked up a mean chilli soup with cinnamon buns for desert. Once it was dark everyone played a few big group games (burning bridges etc) then it was off to bed!

In case you haven’t already done so, check out our Facebook page. A parent has already uploaded some photos from the first day at camp. Who will be next?


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Black Jack Camp 2

Black Jack's second camp started with a beautiful morning yesterday. Parents, trainees and crew all met in Quyon at 0900 to get things started. This 10 day program is totally full. During the day an orientation and in-house with Captain McNaught were done. For dinner everyone enjoyed Kean's stir-fry. They spent the night docked in Quyon.

Today the entire ship's company is making preparations for a 2 day whaler expedition. They will practice sailing today and set off tomorrow. Since it has really started to heat up again, there has been lot's of swimming to keep cool. Tonight will be the first overnight on Black Jack.

If you took photos at the start of camp, please feel free to send them to the office or upload them directly to our facebook page.

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Keep checking back daily for updates!

Black Jack Sailing Down the River

Today is day three on Black Jack camp 1. After a day at the beach yesterday everyone had a camp fire on the Island and sang sea shanties--a must while at tall ship camp.

Today the heat wave continues. The ships company started the tall ship Olympics this morning. They have now left the island and are making their way up the river. The Captain's plan is to also sail the whalers as they make way. Tonight everyone will be sleeping on board the ship, on deck were it is coolest.



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Black Jack Camp is heating up!

Our first Black Jack program of the season started yesterday just as it started to heat up! Trainees met in Quyon at 0900 to sign aboard the five day session. After the in house orientation done by the Captain and crew was completed, the entire ships company set off for their first sail. After an afternoon of sailing they anchored at Mohr Island for a well deserved and refreshing swim. Everyone played man hunt on the Black Jack Island (Alexandria Island) in the evening.



This morning trainees and crew woke up with the early morning heat. Breakfast was served (bacon and egg on english muffins) followed by a deck scrub and Captain's happy hour. For all you non-sailors happy hour means doing the chores that are required to be done everyday--for instance cleaning the heads, polishing the brass and helping clean up after a meal. The plan for the day is to go for a morning swim followed but what else...a sail then to the beach for the afternoon. Hopefully all the swimming will keep everyone cool.

Fair Winds from the office! Don't forget to check Facebook (Bytown Brigantine) for quick updates.