The Clinton Sailing Club (CSC) finished its inaugural season in 2016 having taught 200 kids, mostly from Clinton and surrounding towns, how to sail over the 10-week program. Since the first year was so successful, the CSC has expanded its available programs—and its scholarship opportunities—for the 2017 season, which will run from Monday, June 19 to Friday, Aug. 25.

“We’re ready to roll out a fun summer of sailing,” said CSC founder Alan Felgate.

Major additions to the program include adding an adult sailing course and, through a partnership with Pay4ward, free sailing instruction for veterans.

The CSC anticipates another successful and popular summer. According to Felgate, 122 spaces in the children’s program have already been filled, with another 78 spaces available. Registration for adult classes is now open. An early bird discount for the adult program is available during April. As for the future of the CSC, Felgate has a clear idea of what he wants to see offered.

“The ultimate goal is to create a family sailing program,” Felgate said.

One way CSC intends to make sailing instruction available to all families is through its “sailorships”—40 scholarship spots reserved for children from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. To apply for a sailorship, children have to write a one- to two-page essay to the CSC Board of Directors explaining why they are the perfect candidate. Families with financial needs are given priority, but anyone is welcome to apply. The application deadline is Friday, April 28.

In order to keep developing their available programs, as well as achieve their fundraising goal on $50,000 for sailorships and new boats, the CSC has set up a online donation page at clintonsailingclub.org/give.

Each sailorship completely covers the $250 cost of each child. In addition to the sailorships, the CSC is seeking to raise an additional $40,000 to purchase six new Harley 12.2 sailboats to be used for family and adult sailing classes.

CSC has already raised more than $5,000 at a March 18 fundraiser at the Clinton Country Club. The event, named the first annual Sailorship Shindig, got CSC more than halfway to its goal to raise $10,000 to fund spots for 40 disadvantaged youth to learn how to sail in the summer 2017 program.

For more information about CSC, visit clintonsailingclub.org. Veterans interested in participating via the Pay4ward program should contact ray@pay4ward.org to sign up.