Did you know that spending time on, in, or around water “can help tackle major public health challenges such as obesity, physical inactivity and mental health disorders”? With this in mind, Cape May Cares set up an amazing opportunity for the children at the Housing Authority this summer.

A Sponsored Summer of Fun

This marks the third year that the Corinthian Yacht Club of Cape May partnered with Cape May Cares. Together, we are thrilled to be offering local children the opportunity to learn how to sail. This is all thanks to the generosity of the Corinthian Yacht Club and a scholarship program offered by the C. Wallace Stuard Foundation.  

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Under the leadership of Senior Instructor Brad Lord and a group of young sailing instructors, local children get the chance of a lifetime to participate in Junior Sailing Program for two weeks. The children learn about boat handling, fundamentals of safety, sportsmanship, and respect for the environment all while enjoying the beauty of Cape May Harbor. 

Making Meaningful Memories at Sailing Camp

Prior to the sailing camp, we received this beautiful letter from a returning participant (name is blocked for privacy). It explains how moved they were based on the camp last year, and how they were excited to return again this year.

Moments like these make all of the hard work worth it.

Benefits of Blue Spaces

Not only is sailing a great adventure, but there are countless benefits associated with being out on the open water. New science is now referring to the positive impacts of blue spaces. Blue spaces are defined as ‘outdoor environments–either natural or manmade–that prominently feature water and are accessible to people.’ This includes natural spaces like the ocean and rivers. It also includes manmade constructs like a fountain or a pond.

In fact, there is an entire book written on the positive impact of blue spaces, by Dr. Wallace J Nichols. It focuses on how blue spaces can cause Blue Mind. Blue Mind is a “a mildly meditative state characterized by calm, peacefulness, unity, and a sense of general happiness and satisfaction with life in the moment.” In its simplest form, being around any kind of water is mentally and physically good for us.

Beyond just having a fun time, sailing camp positively contributes to the children’s wellbeing in a variety of ways. Experiencing Blue Mind helps them deal with stress, mental health, and general wellbeing. Combining all of these positive factors makes for an unforgettable summer camp!

Help Us, Help the Community

Help us continue making these opportunities available to our community! Click here to donate. Get in touch if you would like to host and event, share a skillset, or make a different kind of contribution. We are open to a variety of possibilities and would love to hear from you.