Who Benefits from AYC Foundation Grants: Two First-Hand Reports

The Seafarers Summer Youth Program is in full swing. Maggie Roesch provided this report.

On Wednesday, July 9th, Marty and I spoke to 40 8-12 year olds attending the 20^th anniversary of the Seafarers Foundation Summer Youth Program (SYP) in Eastport to discuss our passion for sailing.  We were joined by Peter Gibbons-Neff, a lifelong sailor from Eastport with a deep passion for ocean racing, who brought the "cool factor” in advance of their morning cruise on the Woodwind. 

When Peter shared how he had sailed alone across the Atlantic Ocean, the participants were captivated and sparked questions on topics ranging from clothing, boredom, fear, prayer, sleeping arrangements, auto-pilot, animal sightings, gear, emergency situations, and, naturally, bathroom logistics. (The latter evoked a collective response of “Eeww!”)

We later followed the Woodwind into the Bay, where we witnessed the SYP participants acquire the skills of knot tying and navigating their first sailboat. 

Brendan Sailing builds pathways for self-confidence and personal growth in children ages 11-18 with Learning Differences -- dyslexia, auditory processing disorders, attention deficit disorder and autism -- through summer sailing sessions they offer at Bembe Beach.  Kathy Parks visited on a recent Friday afternoon. 

Following the one-week session, families of the sailors are invited to attend the graduation and then each sailor is encouraged to take a family member, many who have never sailed before, out for a sail.  The kids capably sailed their parent or sibling in a two-person boat around a figure eight course in view of the beach. The US Sailing certified coaches cheered on the kids and assisted with shallow water launchings and landings. Parents are amazed that their child can sail. One mom exclaimed, "That's my daughter in the blue lifejacket taking her little sister for a sail!"

More stories about local sailing camps and their burgeoning sailors will be shared at the AYC Foundation Friends & Family Event, Tuesday, August 19, 5:30-7:30, AYC Sailing Center. This annual, heart-warming, and free (!) event is guaranteed to elicit pride and smiles. Register today at the AYC Foundation here aycfoundation.org/events. Registration closes August 14.