The Heart of Sailing
A Nautical Adventure for Special Needs Children
We and the Heart of Sailing Foundation have teamed up to offer our ‘It’s My Heart’ families the opportunity to sail…. free! Take your whole family!
The Heart of Sailing Foundation is a non-profit charitable 501(c)(3) organization which provides recreational therapy and education in the form of a sailing experience to children and adults with developmental disabilities. Teaching sailing to our special needs clients has proven to be an exhilarating experience, yet calming, tranquil and highly rewarding . for all those whom we serve them.
This is a FREE service!
Our Mission
The Heart of Sailing Foundation is a non-profit charitable 501(c)(3) international organization which introduces sailing to children with developmental disabilities as a form of education and recreational therapy. Teaching sailing to our special needs children has proven to be an exhilarating experience, yet calming, tranquil and highly rewarding…for the children, their parent(s)/caregiver(s) as well as those of us who serve them. We do not charge for this service but, instead, rely upon and are most appreciative of donations.
The Adventure
The sailing, conducted throughout the year during daytime and evenings on weekdays & weekends, is about two and a half to three hours long. The child must be accompanied by his/her parent(s) or care giver and must be willing to wear a life preserver. Basically, the first half hour is a ‘getting to know you’ time during which we discuss things about the boat as well as safety items. When we leave the dock, the child helps steer the boat as we motor out to open water. The child also learns knot-tying, navigation and piloting of the sailboat along the way. Once the sails are raised by the child and Captain working together, the child begins to steer the boat under sail. The child, while at the helm steering the boat, is told that he/she is then the Captain (i.e. “the boss”) and, therefore, gets to wear my Captain’s hat. At the conclusion, the child is awarded a certificate as well as a large medallion on a ribbon which can be draped around his/her neck, similar to an Olympic medal.
More About Us
The foundation is providing this free service in 55 locations within the United States and has served over 22,000 individuals, including 10,000 special needs participants, since inception. We are extremely proud to note that we have a perfect (100%) Safety Record! In the Greater Houston area, we have already provided our service to over 1,800 children, including more than 700 in 2009. To learn more about the Heart of Sailing Foundation, please go to our web site: www.heartofsailing.org
While at our Homepage, be sure to check out two things: (1) our latest PowerPoint presentation and (2) the special feature produced by FOX News.
Register for a Free Sail
Please log onto our website www.heartofsailing.org and do the following:
At the top of our Homepage, click on ‘Sail With Us’
At the next page, scroll down and click on ‘Houston-Galveston’
At the next page, below ’2010′ click on ‘register’ (i.e., not ‘Contact Us’) and then complete the registration form
Upon our receipt of your registration, we’ll make contact with you and we can firm up a sail date.
What Else You Can Do
Please help us spread the word to families with special needs children. Also, if you know those who may be willing to support this unique therapeutic program, please encourage them to help. We depend upon donations. Additionally, we need more boats (loaners or donated) plus more experienced volunteers. Come join us!
Go to the Heart of Sailing website to find an adventure in your area!
Heart of Sailing, Houston-Galveston Chapter
1714 Festival Drive, Houston, TX 77062
Cell Phone: (281) 507-1867
E-mail: davemccabe@heartofsailing.org
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