PORTLAND, Maine — Seventeen Maine children are getting ready to set sail on the tall ships before they come to Portland for the July festival.
Spending a week on a tall ship would normally cost over $1,000, but these children get to do it for free.
Zoe Evans is only 12-years-old but says she’s had a passion for the water and sailing for as long as she can remember.
She saw two tall ships last year and her passion has grown since then.
“I first got introduced to it when I saw the Nina and the Pinta last year when they came up and sailed up the coast and we saw them outside a window and we came and saw them in Portland as well and it was just amazing,” she said.
Zoe will set sail on one of the tall ships a week before they come to Portland July 18-20.
She won a scholarship through Sailing Ships Portland, along with 16 others, and will spend one to two weeks learning the ins and outs of the ships.
“We’ll learn basic training of the ship and help out the whole time and we’ll get to stop at multiple stops and learn all about marine life and how to read maps, compasses and charts,” said Evans
Alden Siepert, 14, is another one of the scholarship recipients.
He said he’s never seen or been on one of the tall ships but has a passion for being on the water.
“I just thought it would be a really fun and new experience and I really enjoy working with my hands and sailing a lot,” he said.
Some will be taking a two-week trip, while others will stay on for just one, but both trips will be free thanks to sponsors.
“It’s an experience I can’t pass up,” said Evans.