Boating Skills & Marine Ecology Program -- MODIFIED at Southern Shore Yacht Club

Boating Skills & Maritime Ecology Program at Southern Shore Yacht Club for up to 12 participants ages 11-15 years-old. Join us for this one-week program on small boat & on-the water safety, navigating rowboats, kayaks, and sailing dinghies, maritime ecology and learn about the importance of taking care of Chicago's rivers and Lake.

Program Schedule:

Aug. 13 - 17 (1-week) from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday - Friday with Lunches provided at Southern Shore Yacht Club, 6401 S Richard Dr, Chicago, IL 60649

Plus - Boat Launch Day on Saturday, 9:30 am - Noon.  Family and friends are encouraged to join us for the teens to show off their new skills.

Program Detials:

Since Covid all Chicago Maritime Arts Center (CMAC) Programs will comply with PPE and safe distancing requirements for schools in the State’s Phase IV of Reopening. Masks will be provided to students, volunteers & instructors if they do not bring their own. As much as possible we will conduct these programs outside. We will screen all participants daily through temperature checks and questions regarding exposure and virus symptoms.  Sanitizer and frequent hand washing will be also part of the programs. Class participants will work with their own set of tools and individual work stations appropriately spaced to build hands-on projects along with shared learning, group discussion, and instruction.  When using boats participants will be matched up in pairs for the durration of the program to minimize group interaction and allow better tracing should it be necessary.

The Chicago Maritime Arts Center will provide all the materials, tools, and instruction and lunches are included.  Participants should wear comfortable clothing that can get dirty and comfortable shoes.  Participants will have the chance to learn boating and water saftey to successfully get in and out of small boats, dock, row, and paddle a variety of small water craft and sailing dinghies in the well protected Jackson Park Inner Harbor. The program teach knot tying, naming parts of a boat, weather & the environment, use of throwing bouys, and basic navigation. The program begins with initial instruction on the fitting and wearing of lifejackets, and dock and boating safety.  Highlights of the program include a sail on a captained sailboat and a rowing and kayaking course race.  Participants will not be swimming but should wear comfortable clothes for activies on the water.  Life jackets, equipment and safety boats are provided.

Program Cost: $250/participant

The Registration Fee of $50 will be applied to the program cost. The balance is due on or before the first day of the program:

CHECKS should be made out to Chicago Maritime Arts Center and mailed to 1848 W. Waveland Ave. Unit 3W, Chicago, IL 60613 or brought on the first day of the program.

-OR- paid ONLINE via Paypal to email address: support@ChicagoMaritime.org

ALTERNATIVELY, after the $50 Registration Fee participants may request a partial scholarship, or if the registration fee is a burden request a full scholarship, prior to the program start.  Applicants must submit a short essay requesting a scholarship (full or partial) and explain why they would like to take the program.  Essays should be sent to Patrick@ChicagoMaritime.org.  Please note the participant’s name, age, program, dates, and location.

Return to Events page to download the required participation Waiver form and the Social Distancing and Other Safety Protocol.