Youth Basic Sailing:

Youth Sailing Resources has established a Thursday group designed to give youth the initial skills and time on the water to achieve set proficiency levels (Beginner/Dock Hand, Mate, Crew, Skipper, …).  After reaching a certain level of experience and demonstrated skill and judgment, increased boat access would be allowed.  The individual would then be able to reserve a boat and go sailing at other than those scheduled within current programs.

A certain level of adult supervision may need to be applied, but these are considerations based on the skill and level of experience for the individual.

As is always the case, a safe sail is a good sail. Seamanship skills and common courtesies apply, as well as leaving a clean and undamaged boat for the next sailor. Users will assist other sailors in need when the conditions arise.

All Parks and Rec equipment (when used) will be returned to the appropriate locked storage/location when not actively being used.

Boating Adventures for Urban Ventures youth:

YSR is continuing to develop programs that will offer the youth of Urban Ventures a view into boating, sailing, and other water sports.

These programs are not so much a “teaching”, or “learning” , educational event, but as a method to offer an experience on the water. These programs are designed to build initial awareness and reduce, or remove, any reluctance by the participants to engage in water related activities.

These events offer the youth an opportunity to participant in a safe, structured, limited, supportive, and overall enjoyable (hopefully fun), experience.  There are future options being considered that will amplify on the initial foray into water safety and water sports, which will build on the individuals interest, skills, abilities, and desires.

Initial programs will utilize the larger boats such as Snotarous, Nutmeg, and possibly Pelican along with other similar large craft through volunteer usage by private boat owners.

As interest develops, YSR hopes to use developing sailors from the Thursday sailing group, Sea Scout members, and volunteer adults to offer instruction to Urban Venture participants. The smaller boats allow for a more exciting view of sailing, as well as developing different types of decision making skills.  In some cases you are on your own in a one person boat. Other boats may utilize a crew, and the participant becomes part of a 2-3 person crew requiring crew coordination, and partnership, to keep things right side up.

Funding and Financial Support:

Funding for the above listed programs will be developed through donations, fundraising events, grants, and other philanthropic events in cooperation with the specific group (currently YSR, Sea Scouts, Urban Ventures).

Patron/Scout Leader:

As there are individuals that have sailing skills of different degrees, and a willingness to assist from time to time with the training of the young people in YSR programs, the following opportunities are offered to the adults in the group. A Patron is an individual that wants to assist in mostly a financial way to the success of the YSR Programs. A Leader is more actively assisting with the programs and more engaged with the youth programs (assisting during the Wed sailing program, monitoring sailing activities from shore when required by YSR, and other activities on a volunteer basis)

A Patron ($50) /Leader  ($35) fee covers membership, certification (when necessary), and an initial sailing checkout in appropriate boats.  The individual then has the opportunity to sail on boats when not needed for the sailing programs.  A schedule of times and availability will be maintained to allow some flexibility and guarantee for boat access (not on the amount of wind!).

YSR instructors and staff will access the level of skill for each individual, and give further skills instruction to enable the patron/adult leader to gain skills necessary to better assist in the youth programs.

Further sailing is open to those who are listed as Patron/Leader and have been verified as Skipper by YSR in the specific boat being used, at a price that will cover minimal expenses, such as insurance, boat transportation (if required), and general maintenance of the boats.  These will vary with the size and length of time they are used.

The list of boats and available dates and times will be made available for scheduling and planning. A certain amount of flexibility will be allowed, but we cannot guarantee active wind levels for the specific dates and times! Scheduled times and payment will be allowed to float until an adequate day/time/wind condition allows for a good sailing experience.

General Information/Guidelines:

As is always the case, a safe sail is a good sail. Seamanship skills and common courtesies apply, as well as leaving a clean and undamaged boat for the next sailor. Users will assist other sailors in need when the conditions arise.

All Minneapolis City Parks and Rec equipment (when used) will be returned to the appropriate locked storage/location when not actively being used.