Black Point Settlement is located at the northern end of Great Guana Cay right next to a gorgeous harbor, just under heaven. There’s a sturdy town dock that the mail boat ties up to once a week and is also available for dinghy tie-ups. The local laundry-mat is located on the water and even has its own dinghy dock. Two restaurants, a bar and a small grocery store are in town. Internet is available at Lorraine’s Café and delicious fresh bread is available from her mom in the house next door. 
We hadn’t yet explored the town and were on our first beach walk when we met Barbara on her way to school. She’s retired Montessori teacher living on the island for the winter and has been volunteering daily at the local school as a tutor. Her first words to us were “Good morning, are you boaters?” When we answered yes, she continued with “Would you be interested in teaching sailing to the kids in town on your boat?” Hummm, let us think about it and get back to you later today was our reply. She said that we could stop by the school anytime during the day, it’s very informal. We were torn, because if there was a need as Barbara felt, we would love to help out but we also know that kids don’t learn how to sail on a big boat. It’s too abstract and intimidating. My experience is that kids learn best in small boats, the smaller the better. We walked to the school, found Barbara and told her our thoughts. She seemed to immediately understand and said that she had a Sunfish at her place at the foot of the bay that we could use, just off the beach. Barbara is an amazing person, spontaneous and fast acting. Within a couple of hours she had lined up 5 boys for sailing that day and secured permission from their parents.
The kids showed up on their bikes right after school. They were very polite and full of enthusiasm. Susan took photos and helped out while I lead the group. 
We started with a swim as a warm-up and to assess swimming abilities. They are all strong swimmers, good! The inner voice that advised me to teach less and watch more, proved correct. I asked questions, let them try things, stepped back and watched the magic happen. 
A simple formula that worked powerfully well: combine motivated kids with a boat and then add water until the mix starts to percolate with laughter. 
These boys have sailing and the sea in their blood so it is pure joy for me to watch their senses awaken to the feel of a tiller and the trim of a sail. They were fast learners, some faster than others and those that learned the quickest, helped the others out. The ones riding in the dinghy with me would coach the ones in the boat when they got crossed up. “Put the tiller over man, put the tiller over” and “Pull the main sheet man, pull it in.” they would coach. They laughed, occasionally splashed one another, sailed and every instant they learned. 
I was impressed with how well those boys, the oldest of whom was 13, shared things; the banana bread that Susan gave them, time on the boat and tiller time were all shared out equally without any prompting. They were close-knit and considerate of one another. 
For two days we sailed from mid afternoon till just before sunset when we would haul the little boat over the sand flats back to its nest up on the beach. I had learned to sail when I was 13 and was magically transported back to my early days, innocent times played out with friends in little boats on the water. 
