Founded 23 years ago by James Muldoon, The Brendan Sail Training Program for Youths with Learning Differences has touched the lives of many students in countless ways. When describing sail training among this particular population, it is important to understand that besides learning to sail, the students learn to take care of themselves and each other. They learn to work, depend on themselves and each other, and to accomplish a goal. They leave our program with newfound self-esteem.And when they are finished, they take their parents sailing. Alone. This tradition is truly magical. On the first day of camp our students typically have reservations, are concerned and self-protective. Often they are not used to the successes we know they will have here. And then they begin their classes. From sail safety to capsize drills, land and sea practice to the buoy races – these students experience it all. They love the wind, the freedom, and the achievement. They CAN sail, and usually they can sail well. The foundation of the Brendan Sail Training Program was a man’s love for his son, who is dyslexic. James Muldoon discovered that his son Jimmy was sure-footed and adept at sailing, at a time in his life when he wasn’t sure-footed about much else. His success was not in spite of his learning difference, nor was it because of his learning difference. His success was because he was a sailor. And because he was a sailor he felt great about sailing. This is the theme of our program:

‘Turning youths into sailors, regardless of their barriers in the classroom. Because on the sea, the barriers become irrelevant.’

For additional information:

Click here to download the Brendan in a Box Booklet.