Outreaching into the sea

Mathis Winkler

Lightning and a sudden downpour forced them out of the water.

But Thursday morning’s miserable weather did little to cloud the

excitement of 140 kids from the Stanton Community Center who are spending

the week at Newport Beach’s Boy Scout Sea Base.

“I’m a little sad,” said Sirihan Farsakh, 12, her T-shirt still

soaking wet from the rain. “But we’re gonna do something else.”

That said, she headed upstairs to one of the base’s classrooms, where

most of the other kids had already gathered to play games and watch

videos until they could head back in the bay.

On Monday and Tuesday, some in the group had already tried out

sailing, canoeing, rowing and kayaking. The kids, aged 7 to 14, also went

on ride-alongs with Orange County Sheriff Harbor Patrol officers and

learned about water safety and pollution, among other things.

While similar weeklong programs cost about $150 during the summer, sea

base officials had asked Stanton parents to donate $10.

“Some could [pay], some couldn’t,” said Catherine Malm, the base’s

program director, adding that no one was turned away.

“What we’re trying to give [the kids] is an experience out of their

daily lives in Stanton,” Malm said. “To see a part of their community

that they normally don’t have access to.”

The base hosted the program for the second time this year and combined

forces with the Sheriff’s Department and several foundations to pay for

the program, Malm said. She added that the shorter Fourth of July week

had been chosen because the base’s regular programs run for five days.

Warming up in a hooded sweater, David Ramos, 9, said he was out

catching mussels for bait when it began to rain.

So far, the ride-along with harbor patrol officers was his favorite

activity, he said, adding that he could picture himself joining the

department once he gets out of school.

“I like the beach,” he said, adding that he comes to “Balboa Island I

think it’s called,” with his family during the summer.

Still wrapped in a towel, Briana Matamoros, 11, said she was kind of

glad base folks had asked everyone to get back on land.

“Me and my friend were scared by the rain,” she said, adding that

she’d been canoeing at the time. “I thought it was going to be hard.”

Not that she’s afraid of water. In fact, Briana agreed with several

others that kayaking had been the best thing so far.

“To me it’s more fun,” she said. “We get to flip over so we get wet.”