Sailors assigned to USS Constitution taught early American naval history to kids at Doris Miller YMCA, April 4.

Constitution Sailors gave an interactive historical presentation to more than 30 kids as part of Waco Navy Week, taking place April 2-8.

"I think that coming out here and doing this whole navy week all together makes a big impact," said Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Amber Harned, USS Constitution's Sailing Master. "When we stand in front of all the age groups that we have, ranging all the way from four to seventeen, at least half of the kids don't really know what the Navy does because of the fact that they have never met a Sailor."

Kids learned about the creation of the Navy, Constitution's construction, her famous battle with HMS Guerriere during the War of 1812, and the mission of today's Navy as it relates to the past.

"To come to Waco and to reach out to the kids, to actually speak with them the way that we do and the history that we talk about, has a huge impact" continued Harned, "and it shows through the questions the kids ask, through their motivation and the determination to come out to this program."

Constitution Sailors undergo 20 weeks of naval history training as soon as they check on board, in addition to an in-depth college-level curriculum designed by USS Constitution Museum and Naval History and Heritage Command's educators and historians.

Laesa Smith, vice president of Youth Development for Central Texas YMCA, believes that the Sailors' visits will not only help the kids learn more about history, but that they will also gain role models to look up to.

"I think the Sailors' visit gives the kids a part of history and they're able to look back and relate because they're hearing it from the Sailors," said Smith. "The presentation gives the kids a lot of information about careers and what different people do and gives the kids male and female role models as well."

Waco is the second Navy Week that Constitution Sailors participated in during 2018. The primary purpose of Navy Weeks is to raise regional awareness of the Navy's mission through local outreach, community service and public exhibitions.

Constitution, America's Ship of State, actively defended sea lanes against global threats from 1797-1855. The World's Oldest Commissioned Warship Afloat, Constitution embodies 220 years of maritime heritage and unwavering service to her country. Now a featured destination on Boston's Freedom Trail, Constitution and her crew of active duty U.S. Navy Sailors offer community outreach and education about the ship's history and the importance of naval sea power to more than 500,000 visitors each year. Constitution is berthed at Pier One in Charlestown Navy Yard.

For more news and information on USS Constitution, visit: http://www.navy.mil/local/constitution or http://www.facebook.com/ussconstitutionofficial

For more news from USS Constitution, visit http://www.navy.mil/.