Beaufort YMCA to establish youth boating program
The YMCA of Beaufort has partnered with the Spirit of America Foundation, America’s Premier Youth Boating Education Program, to begin plans to implement a youth/teen boating program in Beaufort County. The program will introduce young people to several different types and sizes of watercraft and water based activities, all of which nurture responsible behavior. This partnership is unique to the Beaufort YMCA branch and will play a vital role in ensuring the safety of the area’s youth around waterways.
YMCA CEO Michael Bostwick stated, “We think this is a necessary program that will truly benefit so many in our community. We
are surrounded by water and in the spirit of our learn-to-swim efforts, we believe it’s vitally important to equip our youth with skills they need – targeted to the areas they live in. For us, that means water and water craft safety as well. ”
The program will maintain the YMCA’s policy to offer affordable programs that are accessible by all. The YMCA will offer aid to those who may not otherwise be able to participate.
Spirit of America provides an ideal environment for the students to learn, react, and develop lifelong learning skills and ambitions.
“The Spirit of America Foundation is thrilled to be part of the YMCA of Beaufort South Carolina family. We look forward to a strong and long partnership with the YMCA as we open our 22nd location in the United States and our first program in South Carolina. We are very much looking forward to seeing you all on the water soon,”stated Cecilia Duer of the Spirit of America Foundation.
Based on a hands-on program, Spirit of America empowers youth, in a non-traditional classroom setting, to dare to dream, while meeting the underlying goals of the curriculum for developing self-esteem, teamwork, safe seamanship, boating and water safety practices, and responsible behavior in our young adults.
Volunteers to help run the program are needed. Interested parties should contact Michael Bostwick at the YMCA of Beaufort County at 843-522-9622 or mbostwickymca@islc.net . The YMCA of Beaufort is located at 1801 Richmond Avenue in Port Royal.
For more info on Spirit of America’s kids water safety program, visit this link.
