Since 2016, the Youth Sailing Program has served over 300 students between the ages of 7 and 18. This summer, we expect to host another 175 students, thanks in part to the hard work of the Program’s founders, Board members, and volunteers.
But as our small nonprofit program attracts more students from Havre de Grace and surrounding communities (Aberdeen, Bel Air, Abingdon, Fallston, etc.), our need for volunteers has increased dramatically.
We need at least nine more volunteers, this summer, to serve the students and to help promote the program.
MARKETING / PROMOTION
Our most immediate need (in April and May) is for volunteers who can distribute posters and flyers to area businesses. Two volunteers have already volunteered to canvas the main streets in Havre de Grace (Washington Street) and Bel Air (North Main Street) and distribute posters fliers to area merchants. And though we GREATLY APPRECIATE them for volunteering their time, we have a large geography yet to cover.
The good news is the work is easy. The request is simple, “You may have heard Harford County now has a sailing school for kids from 7 to 18. It’s run entirely by volunteers. We’re asking area merchants if they could hang a poster or display some rack brochures about the program…” Of all the businesses we approached, only three declined to help!
But there are so many more stores and professional offices (doctors, dentists, accountants, financial advisors, etc.) we have not yet reached. Just think of all the shopping centers sprinkled throughout our county, with anchor stores like Lowes, Home Depot, Surefine, Weis, Wegmans, Kohls, Walmart – and all the small merchants and service providers who share their parking lots.
Now is the time to get our message out to the public, so kids and their parents can plan their summer activities.
If you are willing to help and can volunteer just a few hours, we can get this promotion work done.
Will you help? Please email us or use our contact form to let us know you are available. Many thanks!
ASSISTANTS / HELPING HANDS
Providing meaningful instruction for 20 students in each class requires lots of helping hands. Ideally, our certified instructors and their assistants should spend as much one-on-one time with each camper as possible. Freeing the instructors to do their jobs will require several volunteers throughout the summer – people who can coordinate all the non-sailing activities that go along with managing a group of students. Hosing down boats, returning them to storage, coordinating lunchtime activities, supervising trips to the Maritime Museum… and just keeping an eye on all our young sailors in the water, all depend, in part, on volunteers.
None of this requires previous experience as a sailor, lifeguard, teacher, or nurse. (But those skills sure would be welcomed!) All you need is compassion and a predictable schedule for at least one week. NOTE: All volunteers who have direct contact with children must pass an FBI background test.
Do you have what it takes to be a community volunteer? Please email us or use our contact form to let us know you are available. Many thanks!
