31st Street Harbor: Sailing and Swimming
by Annie Thompson
June 17, 2026
Last summer, the camp at 31st Street Harbor began as a three-day experiment for a single community partner. Now it's back for six weeks, serving five community partners. For many kids, the 31st Street location is more geographically convenient. Furthermore, access to a swimming pool allows campers to learn to swim and sail on the same day!
"We are deeply grateful for this new collaboration between the Chicago Park District, the Wilson Family Foundation, and Jackson Park Yacht Club Sailing School. The kids were giddy when they first boarded the houseboat—a unique classroom experience just steps away from a pool and the boats!"
—Maggie Shea, Executive Director
As part of a new partnership with Jackson Park Yacht Club Sailing School, campers learn knots, points of sail, and weather aboard a floating classroom on a houseboat. The campers sail two keelboats that the Foundation purchased this spring: a Merit 25 and an Olson 25. Amy Sheridan and Stephanie Hall teach the campers to swim in a Chicago Park District pool. Sheridan swam for Ireland at the 2022 World Para Swimming Championships, and Hall is a Chicago swim instructor.
Sixteen youth attend each week, Monday through Thursday. The camp draws from community partners including St. Ann School, Horizons for Youth, Girls Inc. of Chicago, Girls in the Game, and Big Shoulders Fund. For many campers, it's their first season on or in the water.
"Most kids have a little bit of nerves as they enter the water for the first time. Making them feel comfortable and supported is the most important thing, because if they feel like we will help them, they are more likely to enjoy the experience."
—Amy Sheridan, CYCF Swim Instructor
Across CYCF's programs last summer, the share of campers who said they felt very comfortable swimming doubled, from 26 percent to 52 percent, and 98 percent felt more confident on boats and around the water.
"Swimming is such an important skill that I believe every child deserves the right to learn. To be comfortable in water can allow the child to access other activities, such as sailing, and excel while doing them."
—Amy Sheridan