Program Directors

The junior summer sailing circuit is officially at an end and it's time for back to school shopping. With a couple exceptions, programs are done and all of the planning, logistics, energy, fundraising, and spark that goes into them. Now that there's a moment to take a deep breath and evaluate the summer, it might be time to look at some successful programs and see what makes them tick. Over the summer Will and I have seen the spectrum of every type of sailing program- from the most esteemed yacht clubs to creative community sailing centers.

At the end of the summer what seems to come out of the planning of every program is a curriculum to keep the kids engaged. Some kids come from "sailing families" and are expected to reach a certain level of racing proficiency in an Opti. Some kids are being bussed in from the inner city where they have never seen the ocean before. The struggle of many community sailing centers is to support a competitive program for the few kids who naturally enjoy racing while keeping the other majority of kids engaged on the water in "messing around in boats".

If you're a program director or active in supporting junior sailing, these are some people that may shed light on what it takes.

Brooke

Drew Carlson, Director at Stage Harbor Yacht Club





Directors from the newly sanctioned Stonington Harbor Yacht Club Foundation:

Courageous Sailing Boston, Harbor View Camp Program