Program areas at Chicago Yacht Club Foundation
Open horizons: the Foundation serves as the platinum sponsor of the open horizons youth sailing program, an initiative of the jackson park Yacht Club Foundation. The open horizons program targets low-income, at-risk youth of color (ages 8 to 18) and teaches them leadership, teamwork, resilience, and conflict resolution skills through sailing. Through classroom and on-water activities, the open horizons program covers traditional sailing skills (e.g., nautical terms, points of sail and safety) as well as many other skills that kids need to succeed in today's world. The open horizons program runs in five different sessions through the summer and serves more than 200 kids in the englewood and south shore communities.
Lead her ship: each year, up to ten young women ages 14-17 embark on a five-day cruise on a tall ship, the inland seas, in lake Michigan. During the cruise, these women learn to sail, learn about great lakes ecology, and also learn how to lead and work together as a team.
Sailing camps: sos children's villages Illinois works to unite children in foster care, surround them with a community of hope, and help them grow into caring and productive adults. In partnership with sos Illinois and the Chicago Yacht Club sailing school, the Foundation has created a sailing camp for sos Illinois children aged 8-14 who are interested in learning to sail. During this immersive experience, students learn how to sail, but also learn about stem subjects and build teamwork skills.
Other programs consistent with the organization's mission, including contributions to support a sailing exhibit at the Chicago children's museum and other programs benefiting the youth and underserved in the chicagoland area.