CYCF 2025: More Sailors, More Programs, More Possibilities
March 25, 2025
by Maggie Shea
As we look ahead to this summer, we are most excited by the traction we see among participants in our programs. We have dozens of youth returning this summer across multiple programs from all over the city, with many young boaters transitioning from our fun-based camp programs, like Adventure Boating at Belmont, into more structured sailing school classes to develop their skills. Retention is a key metric for us—it demonstrates the lasting impact of our programs and reinforces our commitment to being a meaningful presence in these youths’ lives for months and, hopefully, years to come.
The program’s momentum to date is a testament to the relationships and trust cultivated by CYC Foundation’s Program Manager Francesca Sigmond with our community partners, the thoughtful planning and youth-centered approach of Community Sailing Manager Caroline O’Malley, and the unwavering energy, dedication, and efforts of our Board members.
“When I first started with the Chicago Yacht Club Foundation almost two years ago, I met so many of these kids as they were just starting out,” says Sigmond, who was the Foundation’s first full-time employee when she was hired in 2023. “Last summer at Belmont, we had our very first group of returners—seven sailors who wanted to continue their journey. This year, two of them are returning for their third summer, and we’ve got nine more coming back for one or more sessions at CYC’s Sailing School in Belmont Harbor. One of the highlights of my summer last year was watching one of these sailors earn the CYC Sailing School Coaches Award—it was such a proud moment. It’s been such a joy to see these kids grow and return season after season. Their excitement to come back year after year shows just how special this program is.”
While nearly every existing CYCF program is experiencing growth in 2025, we are also evaluating which initiatives have the greatest impact and how they can be scaled sustainably. We are committed to directing resources toward programs and partnerships that provide lasting benefits for youth in an economically efficient way. The next phase of CYCF’s growth will focus on leveraging our unique assets to maximize our impact on Chicagoland youth.
This spring, we are launching the City Sailing League of Chicago, an after-school program at Monroe Harbor designed for high school students. This new program will feature sailing sessions on CYCF’s two J/100 keelboats—the perfect environment for teens to enjoy a new experience with friends, stay dry (most of the time!), and learn the fundamentals of sailing in a fun and supportive atmosphere. Expanding touch points throughout the year for high school-aged youth is essential for us to leverage the InSPIRE Scholarship Fund. We hope that continued engagement beyond summer camps will lead to deeper connections and meaningful outcomes.
We are incredibly excited about what lies ahead and deeply inspired by the number of returning sailors. Most importantly, none of this would be possible without the generosity of our donors and stakeholders. Your support enables us to expand access, create new opportunities, and ultimately help kids fall in love with our lake and the sport we cherish.