The Mayflower Compact

Here are some facts about the Mayflower, the ship which first landed in the “New World” in 1620, and its passengers

• The passengers, 102 of them, were primarily Puritans and Separatists who became known as Pilgrims.
• At the end of their long voyage, the passengers signed the Mayflower Compact which outlined the notion of democracy where each member of the community contributes to the welfare of the whole.
• In addition to the passengers the Mayflower had a crew of 25-30, bring approximately 130 people on the ship.
• No one knows where and when the Mayflower was built, but by 1620, it was more than a decade old.
• The ship’s deck was between 80 and 90 feet long, while the entire ship measured 110 feet.
• The Mayflower was approximately 25 feet across at its widest point. 
• The Mayflower had 4 decks:  cargo, 2 gun decks, and 1 main deck

Now if you stop to think about the size of this ship and the number of people on it, what you find is a very crowed space.  To help children and youth understand the impact of being on this ship, consider drawing it out on the playground with chalk.  Have children take their chairs into the boat, have your snack there, help with homework there, and do any other things you are doing in your program in this confined space.  At the end, ask the children what they think—would they have wanted to travel with the Pilgrims?

And here is something else you might want to explore.  With two months of trial and tribulations at sea with storms and cramped conditions, before the Pilgrims disembarked, they signed a compact describing how they would work together in this new place.  They outlined the rudiments of a democracy. 

I for one am thankful they were so determined to do what was right not just what was convenient.  If you would like an activity around the Mayflower Compact, click on this link http://www.education.com/activity/article/mayflower_compact/

Help youth understand the tradition begun with this action and how it impacts them today.  Visit our website at www.consultforkids.com