Mount Pleasant Magazine 6.4

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T he bodies ofwater that run
through the Lowcountry sometimes
feel like old friends. We become
familiar with their ebb and flow, twists
and turns and rocky oyster beds. For
many, these streams, creeks, inlets
and harbors provide a livelihood. The
Lowcountry Maritime Society is an organization built on
the belief that access to the water, and the many traditions
that coincide with coastal living,
should be reachable to all. Through
summer camps and school programs, they bring the joy of
life at sea to others, one boat-building venture at a time.
“I’ve enjoyed working with local schools. They are such
an important and inspiring part of our community,” said
Prentice Brower, executive director of the Lowcountry
Maritime Society. “I am very passionate about this area,
the water and everything that comes with it, and I love be-
ing able to share and celebrate that with others.”
The Lowcountry Maritime Society works with kids
that often have little exposure to life on the water. Through
their innovative boat-building program, children are able to
complete a project, start to finish, with the end result being
a cool vessel all their own. While the process of sketching
out plans and measuring allows them to utilize their science,
math and engineering skills, the real fun starts when they get
to actually take their creations for a row.
“I love witnessing the transformation and engagement
of our students’ progress from day one to the day we launch
the boats they build,” said Brower. “That moment, when
students, and often their parents, get out on the water on
the boats they have built – that’s a pretty amazing scene.”
Teachers of students enrolled in the programs have
praised the Lowcountry Maritime Society with not only
helping their pupils grasp educational concepts but with
allowing them to find a sense of peace. Problems or stress
they may be dealing with in their lives seem to vanish once
they are out on the water.
“We want to help connect our community, engage our
children and preserve our region’s identity. Education is
at the core of our mission,” said Brower. “We believe that
education through hands-on, tangible and relatable experi-
ences is key to engaging students. It ignites passions and
builds self-awareness.”
While during the school year the Lowcountry Mari-
time Society offers boat-building programs, come summer-
Water IsOur
CommonBond
The Lowcountry Maritime Society
Photos courtesy of Prentice Brower.
By KaLene MccorT