US Sailing Reach Hub Grants awarded to centers in Southern California and Midwest

US Sailing Reach © US Sailing

Sailing centers in the Southern California and Midwest regions have been awarded Reach Hub grants to grow youth sailing through STEM and environmental education as part of the US Sailing Reach Initiative. The grants provide non-profit sailing centers with funds and resources to further their Reach program goals and provide more opportunities for students in their community.

The Reach Program utilizes sailing as an educational platform, challenging youth to embrace education, establish a love of learning and explore productive Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) based careers. Combining educators, sailing instructors, engineers, scientists with today's youth to provide them with a one of a kind authentic learning experience, giving students the opportunity to apply classroom learning in a cooperative work environment.

Congratulations to the Mission Bay Aquatic Center, US Sailing Center Long Beach, Newport Sea Base, Orange Coast College School of Sailing & Seamanship, Westwind Sailing, and Columbia Sailing School. Learn more about these sailing centers.

Now more than ever, youth are seeking places to explore their local ecosystems, engage in hands-on learning experiences after a spring of virtual learning, and get to know one another in a safe, fun environment. This is especially the case for those who typically may not have access or awareness to these opportunities.

The Reach Hubs are regional networks of programs led by Centers of Excellence (COE) that serve as a model of best practices and share learning resources with surrounding Reach Centers and Reach Programs in specific regions. This national network maximizes the impact of creating systemic change in STEM education through the sport of sailing.

The program began in 2015 by establishing the first Reach Hub in the Northeast. Since then, Hubs have been created in the Mid-Atlantic, Southern California, and our newest area, the Midwest. Hubs typically undergo a third-party Program Quality Assessment and meet twice a year for professional development. Due to travel limitations this year, the Southern California Hub will postpone its third (and final) year of program quality assessment and meet virtually this fall to debrief programming and share resources. The Midwest Hub will also meet virtually this fall to continue their development.

Learn more about 2020 Reach Hub Grant Recipients here.