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America True is entirely dedicated to providing youth with opportunity
to benefit from sailing and its inherent life lessons. We believe that sailing
can teach youth valuable life lessons including confidence, independence,
strategic thinking, teamwork and respect for the environment. We believe
that sailing can, and should be open to all regardless of gender, culture,
ethnic, or economic background. We believe that many of those who could
benefit most do not currently have access to the sailing experience.
America True Youth Sailing Events are one-day events organized by America
True in the Bay Area and around the nation. We bring together youth groups
from at-risk neighborhoods with sailing clubs and yacht clubs, for day-long
sails aboard club members’ sailboats. It is an opportunity for the
kids to experience sailing, the wind in their faces, the feel of the helm,
and the carefree joy of leaving their troubles ashore.
We will be expanding this program to provide more events at major sailing
venues that hold promise for development of community sailing programs using
the America True model for Learn-to-Sail Programs. We will seek communities
with a strong requirement for youth recreational programming and match them
with partners within the sailing industry, local educational institutions,
civic organizations, local government agencies and sailors who can help
organize and sustain a model program on a local level.
These local events will provide sailing experiences to hundreds of young
people and provide the foundation for the establishment or expansion of
ongoing low-cost community sailing programs in these areas. Among the targeted
geographies are communities in Florida, Southern California, Detroit, Chicago,
Texas and New York.
The Tall Ship Semester
for Girls breaks down traditional barriers and puts girls at the helm
of a tall ship at sea. The program offers girls who might otherwise never
have such an opportunity a chance to test themselves, to accomplish real
feats, and in the process, to discover themselves. America True is a proud
sponsor on this program.
America True and Community Sailing
In our goal to expand community sailing, America True sees it role as one
of helping to initiate programs in communities where they can be sustained
by local organizations. In the fall of 2002, we completed our first successful
cycle of intiation and transfer when San Francisco State University took
over the management of the America True Sailing Programs at San Francisco's
Lake Merced.
Lake Merced
With SFSU and San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department as its partners,
America True launched its first season of the America True Youth Learn-to-Sail
Summer Program on Lake Merced. More than 130 students, ages 8-16, and an
additional 30 adults, received Beginner Sailor certification (based on US
Sailing curriculum). The program was offered for free to youth participants
through local youth agencies, and at low cost to other San Francisco residents.
Supported agencies included the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco,
Glide Memorial Church, Beacon Center, Tenderloin Neighborhood Development
Center, as well as referrals from area youth centers in neighborhoods adjacent
to Lake Merced. The program continues with the help of America True and
your donations.
America True Youth sailing lessons are conducted on Lake Merced, a man-made
watershed on the west side of San Francisco. The Lake Merced Task Force,
Friends of Lake Merced, and San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department
are working together to restore Lake Merced to a vital recreation area for
city residents. The presence of the America True Youth program has drawn
substantial focus to the revitalization efforts of Lake Merced and served
to further educate the public about the need to preserve the water quality
and ecosystem in the area.
For more information on the America True/SFSU Summer sail program call
(415) 405-2449.
Camp Clipper
The program was created through the joint efforts of Sailing Education Adventures,
America True, Performing Stars of Marin, Fish, a local restaurant, and Clipper
Yacht Harbor in Sausalito, CA in 2004 to benefit the San Francisco and Marin
County communities, particularly the youth of Marin City.
Camp Clipper is a one-week (5 days) half-day (3 hours) introduction to
sailing.
Typically light (but naturally, unpredictable) morning breezes give students
the opportunity to start learning about wind and water and to have fun sailing
on Richardson Bay, all with safety in mind.
For more information on the Camp Clipper program, click here
or call +1 (415) 775-8779
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