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2017 BRENDAN Holiday Newsletter |
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Message from Brendan Chairman/Founder: Jim Muldoon
Hello Brendan Community,
Season's Greetings and welcome to the first Holiday Edition of the Brendan Sailing Quarterly Newsletter.
As the Holidays draw closer and this year comes to an end, it is again that time of the year to reflect and give thanks for the things we hold near and dear.
Since our inaugural program 33 years ago, we have been privileged to provide hundreds of opportunities to youth with learning differences in building self-confidence, self-esteem, and independence through the sport of sailing.
With this, I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the successes of the 2017 Brendan Sailing Program. It is an honor to be apart of such a successful program. Without the continued support of the students, parents, staff, volunteers, and friends in the Brendan Family, we would not be able to provide our participants the opportunities for success achieved during this year.
Looking forward to 2018 and beyond, we will continue to provide instructor based sailing programs that specialize in building confidence, social skills, independence and inspiration to children with learning differences.
Like many non-profit organizations, the Brendan Sailing Program relies on the generous financial support of others to provide amazing experiences to our participants. With our low student to instructor ratios and our commitment to accepting all campers, we need outside funding sources to support the program. Funds raised will support the Brendan Sailing Program in many ways.
- Scholarships for Campers - Equipment and Maintenance - Instructor Training - Continuing Education for Staff - Curriculum Development - Communications
While not a complete list of what we do, we hope you will see that your support is critical, and will directly help a child gain self-confidence through sailing. It is generous support such as this that ensures the Brendan Sailing Program will sustain success and continue to change the lives of our participants for the better. We hope you think of us during this Holiday Season!
From our family, to yours, Season's Greetings and Happy Holidays!
Best,
Jim Muldoon Chairman/Founder, Brendan Sailing Program |
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| In this Issue...
- Happy Holidays from Brendan/Founder Chairman
- Volunteer's Needed!
- LDA Road Blocks Workshop
- Where are they now?: Joel Bays
- Camper Spotlight: Kellen Urban
- ADHD Holiday Planning Article
- Holiday Fun for Children with Learning Differences
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The Brendan Sailing Program is seeking volunteers for 2018. There are many ways to get involved and support this worthwhile program:
Sailing Assistant:
As sailing instruction is the primary means that we use to increase the self-esteem and self-confidence of our participants, we are looking for experienced sailors. The Brendan approach relies on a low student to instructor ratio. We have certified instructors that lead activities and need individuals to assist in the practical sessions. You might find yourself riding on the Safety Boat or crewing in a sailboat with someone who needs some extra attention. You may also be called upon to give assistant with rigging and de-rigging boats.
Beach Patrol:
We try to spend as much time on the water as possible. Our instructors are on Safety Boats providing supervision on the water. The Beach Patrol helps to launch boats and helps to “catch” them as they return. This requires little training but you will get your feet wet. There will be plenty of time to read a book and soak up some rays while we are out on the water. Help with land games and lunchtime supervision will be welcome.
Ambassador:
It's time for Brendan Sailing to NOT be the best kept secret in summer sailing programing or the Learning Differences community. We want to get the word out about the work we do and our successes. If you are an alumni of the program or a parent whose child has benefited from the program, we need your help. Talking to schools, helping at camp fairs, manning a table at events. Your personal experiences are priceless in promoting Brendan Sailing to those who are looking for a unique experiential education program for their children.
Crew Member:
A successful ship relies on all of the crew and their specific talents. If you are a fundraiser, marketer, editor, public relations expert, a carpenter, or have talents in creative arts, we would cherish your help in growing the Brendan Sailing Program.
Whether you have one day or a week to help, we would be happy to have you become one of our Shipmates as we voyage into 2018 and chart our course for a national program. Please contact Charlie Arms at Brendansailingprogram@gmail.com
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Clearing Roadblocks
by: Charlie Arms, Executive Director |
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I had the good fortune to attend a workshop titled “Clearing the Roadblocks, Supporting the brains of students with LD in the mainstream classroom”. While our program venues would not generally be considered mainstream classrooms, the workshop was about techniques to reach students who learn differently. Understanding better how the brain works was helpful in figuring out how to reach students who process information in different ways. These teaching techniques can be useful to our instructors who are presenting information using white boards and “chalk talks”, walking students through land drills and running water drills to develop sailing skills while not losing sight of our primary goals; building self-confidence and raising self-esteem. No two students learn exactly the same way, and the Brendan Approach uses a variety of techniques to meet the individual learning needs of each student.
The workshop, put on by the Learning Disabilities of America Association, was held in New Hampshire and put on by two educators working in schools in Atlanta. Networking with these education professionals from outside of the Maryland-DC area allowed me not only to find ways to improve our curriculum but also to get the word out about our amazing program. The attendees were interested in what we do here at the Brendan Sailing Program. It occurred to me that our St Mary’s residential program has the potential to attract children from around the country. What a great experience it would be for our local participants to meet other children from many states. As we begin our marketing 2018 program we will be expanding our reach to a national approach.
I came away from the workshop with more concrete ways to improve our program in both Annapolis and St. Mary’s and with a renewed energy to grow our home programs by attracting participants from other states. I am excited to share a lot of what I learned with my new colleagues on the US Sailing National Faculty’s Adaptive Sailing Working Committee of which I am now a member (see the October newsletter). In February, I will be presenting at the US Sailing Leadership Forum. I will share more about that in our next edition.
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"Where are they now?"
JOEL BAYS
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| Like many of our instructors, Joel began his career at Brendan as a camper. A fifth generation Annapolis native, Joel has always possessed a love for sailing, and the Chesapeake Bay.
He first became involved with Brendan as a camper at the age of 14, later joining Annapolis Yacht Club's Junior Sailing Program. After graduation, Joel attended Salisbury College, where he became President of the Club Sailing Team, working with the Brendan Sailing Program in the summer.
In 2016, Joel was elevated to Head Instructor after working for Brendan for 10 years. The Brendan Program has helped to develop Joel's leadership skills, and built his confidence through overcoming various challenges. Joel is thankful for the opportunity to be apart of such an amazing community.
Joel currently lives in Charleston, South Carolina where he teaches 5th grade at Pepperhill Elementary. For fun, he likes to kiteboard, take his dogs to the park, and play music. Since leaving Brendan, Joel has received his Captain's License.
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Age: 14
Hometown: Annapolis, MD
Years Attended Brendan: 2
Hobbies: Boy Scouts, swimming, video games, and reading
Fun Fact: Made All-County Band in 7th grade (French Horn)
Kellen's parents heard about Brendan Sailing from the mother of a former student, Link Sweeney. They asked Kellen if he wanted to attend for three years before he finally agreed, and on his second day of camp he proclaimed he was going to sail to Japan! His plan was to sail down the Chesapeake Bay, across the Caribbean Sea, through the Panama Canal, up to California, across to Hawaii (to pick up supplies, and chill), and then over to Japan. He liked the Day camp so much his first year, he was disappointed his parents hadn't signed him up for the St. Mary's Overnight camp.
Kellen thinks Brendan sailing is awesome because the instructors are enthusiastic and if you have problems they will always come to your assistance. The best things about Brendan in Kellen's eyes are getting to work with people you don't know, the freedom to go places, and learning new skills.
His favorite thing about the Day camp were the sailing activities that prepared the students for long sailing journeys. At the St. Mary's Overnight camp, he enjoyed rock wall climbing, playing games while sailing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. He especially thought the overnight aspect is cool because you are out on your own.
Now that Kellen has attended Brendan Sailing, he has earned his Sailing Merit Badge at Boy Scout camp, and enjoys sailing Sogochi, a Lightning class sailboat, with his father on the Magothy River!
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| By: Sandy Maynard - Additude Magazine
"Whether it’s a simple cocktail party or a lavish five-course feast, entertaining friends and family in your home is one of the delights of the holiday season. But don’t kid yourself: It takes a lot of planning. That’s something many people with attention deficit disorder (ADHD) have a hard time doing. Fortunately, a time line can keep all the preparations on track — and keep you from becoming overwhelmed..."
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Holiday Fun at Home for Children with Learning Differences |
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| By: Brain Balance Achievement Centers
"Being home for the holidays isn’t just heart warming – it’s an opportunity. For kids with learning differences, it becomes a time to recharge, to practice skills in a safe environment and to try new things that add to the rich experience of the holiday season. These suggestions are sure to leave long-lasting impressions on your child throughout the new year!..."
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| | | | Thank you Friend for reading the Brendan Sailing Holiday Newsletter, and your continued support of the Brendan Sailing Program!
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| | | 1500 K Street NW Suite 350 Washington, DC 20005 Phone: 202-638-2788
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| | Partnered with METCOR/LSI |
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