Havre de Grace is known as the place where the Susquehanna River meets the Chesapeake Bay. It is a gorgeous body of water and attracts sailors from all over the world.
Rick Wahl, Gordon Black, and Rick McGregor met sailing on the Susquehanna. Each had landed in the Havre de Grace area for different reasons and shared a common love of sailing.
“Rick and I started racing together in 2009 and had many conversations about starting a youth sailing program. We thought kids should be out sailing because the conditions were too perfect,” Wahl said.
This conversation went on for years. In 2016, Rick Wahl was preparing to retire when Rick McGregor purchased four boats, rounded up five kids, hired an instructor and kicked off sailing lessons out of Heron Harbor Marina, thanks to Allen Fair who allowed them use of the marina. The kids loved being out on the water and everyone involved saw great potential.
The Havre de Grace Youth Sailing Program, officially established as a non-profit in 2017, has been a team effort from the start. Tidewater Marina, 211 Congress LLC., the City of Havre de Grace, Havre de Grace Marina and many local families have all played important roles over the years.
The camp has grown from 35 students and 4 boats to 160 students and 28 boats. Unfortunately, Covid-19 prohibited the Havre de Grace Youth Sailing Program from operating camp in 2020. However, with Covid-19 plans in place, the team looks forward to welcoming students back in 2021.
When I moved to Havre de Grace in early 2019, every time I mentioned to someone that I had children, they said, “You must sign them up for sailing camp – it’s the best. Sign up soon, it fills up fast.”
I signed up my two kids within weeks of moving to Havre de Grace and it turned out to be a great decision.
The first day of camp, my kids were both a bit timid not knowing what to expect. By day two, they were up at the crack of dawn, packed their own lunches and walked themselves to camp (another bonus of living downtown). They learned quite a bit about sailing and water safety at camp. They also enjoyed jumping off the dock and splashing in the Susquehanna and met many new friends. In one photo, captured by board member and local photographer, Pat Venturino, my son looked completely at ease and deep in thought with another camper. I asked him what they were talking about and he told me that the boy was up visiting his grandparents from Baltimore. Having just moved from Baltimore, the two were excited to share their favorite Baltimore pastimes.
The final day of camp was my favorite. At the time, we were renting a condo at Seneca Pointe, which overlooks the Susquehanna. I worked from our deck that afternoon and it was so neat seeing my kids sail down the Susquehanna River to Port Deposit. I still cannot believe how much they learned in one week and they continued to use the skills they learned that summer on our own power boat.
So, what is the goal of the Havre de Grace Youth Sailing Program? “It is not just about teaching the kids to sail, it is about improving their life through sailing. If sailing suits them, we would love them to become lifelong sailors. More importantly, we want them to understand that anything that challenges them throughout their life can be overcome. It is what they are indirectly learning by being out on the water,” Wahl said.
Campers also learn about environmental stewardship – to be kind to the water. The instructors also enjoy tying in the history of the Susquehanna River and Havre de Grace; the camp director is actually a middle school history teacher at Havre de Grace Middle School.
Some of the founders’ favorite stories include a child who could not pass the swim test on the first day, which involved jumping off the dock with a life jacket and treading water. While he was a strong swimmer, he was not used to jumping into a river with fish and grass. The instructors quickly remedied the situation by having him complete the swim test in a nearby pool. When he returned to the dock, everyone cheered and he jumped right in. From that moment on, he was all smiles.
Another camper with Cerebral Palsy successfully completed the course and enjoyed the same activities as the other campers. That camp session was extra special, the camper felt so comfortable she shared her physical differences with the other campers at the end of the week. Everyone learned that physical challenges can be overcome when it comes to sailing.
Above all, the Havre de Grace Youth Sailing Program wants to give every child the opportunity to get out on the water, even if finances are an obstacle. The board does a lot of outreach in the community to make sure families know that scholarships are available.
Now as a seasoned parent (and a proud Havre de Grace Youth Sailing Program board member) it is my turn to tell all the new parents I meet with school aged children to sign up their kids for the best summer camp around! From gumbo cook-offs to family nights – it is such a wonderful feeling to be part of the Havre de Grace Youth Sailing Program family.
The Havre de Grace Youth Sailing Program is excited to welcome back both former and new families this summer. After all we have been through this past year, I am grateful the kids will get to experience what they love – being out on the Susquehanna River enjoying wildlife and making new friends.
For information on the Havre de Grace Youth Sailing Program and camp, please visit their website Home – HdG Youth Sailing.