How Detroit’s Sailing Programs
are Shaping Young Leaders
The Challenge the Wind program has become the Detroit Community Sailing Center (DCSC) and continues to add programs with its new education center. YNEF has supported their initiatives to provide Sailing and education opportunities for youth from the inner city of Detroit. DCSC continues functioning from the Belle Isle Boat House, formerly the Detroit Boat Club. However, this facility is currently being evaluated for restoration or demolition, thus providing only limited access to their programs. Other alternatives are under study to provide a long-term solution and location for this program, with their preference to remain on Belle Isle.
Today, the DCSC, boasts an impressive fleet of approximately 42 boats. This summer alone, they have successfully enrolled 100 youth in their programs and supported an adult sailing program that provided access to 100 adults. The high demand for their programs is evident from the waiting list they maintain.
While the sailing aspect of the program has been a resounding success, providing water access and activities for the kids, DCSC has not rested on its laurels. They have expanded their programs and launched their first STEM initiative with a pilot after-school Boat-building workshop. This workshop, a partnership with U of M’s Detroit River Story Lab, included the hands-on experience of building an Optimist Sailboat using hand tools, engineering drawings, epoxies, etc., and an interactive presentation on the river’s Environment, culture, and history.
The Detroit Sailing Center, which provides learn-to-sail programs using Optimist Dinghy sailboats and 420 sailboats for older kids, has been greatly supported by the YNEF. They have supplied the majority of the boats over the years, and they plan to provide an additional 420 for 2025 as the program continues to expand.
The Detroit Community sailors took part in a half-day outing on the Inland Seas schooner; the University of Michigan Detroit River Story Lab and the Inland Seas Educational Association made this program available to the sailors. The program emphasized marine biology, the history of the Detroit Rivers, protecting our marine Environment, and the importance of tall ship seamanship while sailing on the Detroit River.
This Growing program, along with the added STEM and learning opportunities, is developing an asset for the young folks in the Detroit area. DCSC Director Harry Jones continues to be the inspirational leader in growing this program, and the YNEF continues to work closely with him as they develop this new direction for location and education.
YNEF continues to work with them as they continue discussions with the DNR, Belle Isle Conservancy, and other organizations to evaluate potential future facilities. A restoration proposal for the former Detroit Boat Club building is under review, costing around $55 million. We are also looking at renovating the former Police station near the existing pier and, finally, the potential of a new building. The State of Michigan DRN and several committees discuss and evaluate these alternatives. Hopefully, they will provide guidance on the best alternative for all.
