By Tech. Sgt. Crystal Housman
Sunburst Youth Academy cadets traded their uniforms for life jackets Sept. 24–25, spending two days on the water at Westwind Sailing in Dana Point Harbor, where they learned to sail, kayak, and stand-up paddleboard while exploring marine science and creative expression.
The field trip, part of the academy’s science curriculum, gave cadets hands-on opportunities to build teamwork, persistence, and environmental awareness through a series of rotating stations that included art, ocean ecology, and boating.
Cadet Abigail Vargas said it was her first time trying water sports. “I haven’t done anything like this before,” she said. “This is my first time going paddle boarding and kayaking. It was honestly a unique experience, especially on the boats. That was really fun.”
Vargas said she also enjoyed an ecosystems and ocean conservation presentation by a Westwind volunteers.
Social Studies teacher Adrianne Beauchamp, who swam competitively for 20 years, said the trip allowed cadets to experience learning in a completely different way. “They get a unique perspective about what the ocean can be like that they probably haven’t had before,” Beauchamp said. “Some of them felt out of place at first, like ‘this is for rich people’ or ‘I’ve never done this before,’ but I think we give them an opportunity to see a different part of the world that they can be a part of.”
Beauchamp said she sees the day on the water as more than just recreation. “Being in the sun and the water is just life-giving,” she said. “I saw a lot of smiles and a lot of freedom. A lot of walls come down because they don’t have to be defensive. They have to fight the elements, but I think they find out what their strengths are.”
Westwind Sailing Executive Director Diane Wenzel, who founded the program 38 years ago, said her staff looks forward to hosting the academy each class cycle. “These kids are amazing young people, and for us to be able to share our passion with them is so important,” she said. “To see someone who’s never been on a sailboat light up with excitement: it’s the best job satisfaction ever.”
Westwind Sailing, an award-winning U.S. Sailing–certified community sailing center, partners with Orange County Parks to make ocean recreation accessible for all. Its mission to teach safety, fun, and personal success on the water aligns with Sunburst’s focus on leadership, responsible citizenship, and physical fitness.
Sunburst is a voluntary, tuition-free residential high school program run by the California National Guard’s Task Force Torch youth and community programs directorate in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education.
Located on Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, the academy provides a highly structured, military-style environment where students, known as cadets, refocus on their education, leadership, and personal growth while earning a year’s worth of high school credits in half the time. Sunburst is one of 38 National Guard Youth Challenge Programs nationwide dedicated to helping young people build confidence, resilience, and a plan for future success.
Tech. Sgt. Crystal Housman is with the Sunburst Youth Academy Outreach, Admissions & Recruiting Dept.