From our Leadership - A Message from Chairman Jim MuldoonDear Brendan Sailing Friends and Supporters, Last month, we had the pleasure of celebrating the 2024 Brendan Sailing Award winners, where we honored the outstanding achievements and dedication of this year’s volunteers and campers. It was truly inspiring to see the passion, skill, and commitment that our recipients brought to our camp experience, and their stories reminded us all of the power, perseverance, and dedication within our community. The evening was filled with joy, laughter, and excitement as we celebrated the incredible accomplishments of our recipients, and we couldn't be more proud to be part of such a dedicated group of individuals. Looking ahead, we are filled with anticipation for the summer months ahead. Our sailing camps in June and July are fast approaching, and we can’t wait to welcome both seasoned sailors and beginners alike for another fun and enriching season on the water. We’re looking forward to a wonderful summer of sailing, growth, and camaraderie, and we hope to see you out on the water with us soon! With sincere gratitude, James P Muldoon Chairman and Founder, Brendan Sailing The Latest - Brendan Sailing Summer Camp Applications Now Open!Dear Brendan Sailing Community, We’re thrilled to announce that applications for Brendan Sailing’s 2025 Summer Camp are now open! Another season of sailing, learning, and growing awaits, and we can’t wait to welcome both new and returning sailors to the water! A Special Thank You Before we dive into summer, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended our Annual Awards Ceremony on January 26th. Your support and enthusiasm mean so much to us, and we are grateful for this incredible community. A huge congratulations to this year’s award winners—we are so proud of your achievements and dedication to the Brendan Sailing mission! Camp This year, our overnight and day camps at St Mary's College of Maryland will be separate. Our overnight camp, for youth ages 14-18, will be July 13-19. And our Day camp for ages 11-18 will be held July 21-25 from 9am - 4pm. We are looking forward to increasing our capacity with this new format and building stronger relationships with our campers! Scholarships Available We believe that every child should have the opportunity to experience the freedom and confidence that sailing provides. Scholarships are available, please be sure to indicate on the camp application if you will be seeking a scholarship! Scholarship applications will be sent following the acceptance of a camp application. Apply Now: https://www.brendansailing.org/programs.html Thank you for being part of the Brendan Sailing family—we can’t wait for another unforgettable summer on the water! With gratitude and warm wishes, Jane Millman Executive Director Brendan Sailing Camp Applications Now Open!Applications for Brendan Sailing summer camp are now open! With locations in Annapolis and St. Mary's, MD, we offer both day camp and overnight camp options for new and returning campers alike. Our camp provides a fantastic opportunity for kids with learning differences to build confidence, skill, and independence through the accredited Brendan Approach. Scholarships are available to help make this enriching experience accessible to all--apply today and set sail for a summer of growth and adventure! Congratulations to the 2024 Brendan Sailing Award WinnerBrendan Sailing held its annual Brendan Sailing Awards, where the organization recognized outstanding volunteers and campers who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, and growth in their commitment to the mission of empowering youth with learning differences through sailing. 2024 Winners Volunteer Awards Daniel H. Gottlieb Award - Will Keyworth Molly Mahoney Award - Rick Loheed Kurt M. Lowman Award - John Pica Joanne M. Dorval Award - Brian Dorval Camper Awards Howard and Jean Kluttz "No Guts No Glory" Award - Nicki Rahim Rick and Jenny Nelson Award - Cameron Wakefield Franklin J. “Jerry” & Kathryn M. Wood Outstanding Achievement Award - Jailyn Shorter Arthur Birney Award - Will Rineholt Read more about our awardees in our press release here. Brendan Sailing at the U.S. Sailing Leadership ForumWe are excited to share that Brendan Sailing was proudly represented at the US Sailing Leadership Forum in San Diego, where our Executive Director, Jane Millman, presented on the Brendan Approach. With a packed room of over 75 attendees, the session highlighted Brendan Sailing’s proven teaching methods for youth with learning differences, sharing powerful success stories that deeply resonated with the audience. The response was overwhelming! We received numerous inquiries about hosting in-person Brendan Approach trainings, and 53 participants signed up for our upcoming online pilot program—a huge step in expanding our impact nationwide! We are excited to see the sailing community embrace more inclusive teaching practices, and we look forward to expanding the reach of the Brendan Approach to programs across the country! Show Your SupportIt’s thanks to generous donations from sponsors and grantmakers that we are able to offer Brendan sailors an outstanding learning and growth experience each year.
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Brendan Sailing Honors Exceptional Volunteers and Campers at Brendan Sailing Awards Ceremony1/31/2025 Annapolis, MD – Brendan Sailing held its annual Brendan Sailing Awards, where the organization recognized outstanding volunteers and campers who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, and growth in their commitment to the mission of empowering youth with learning differences through sailing. The event also marked the 40th anniversary of Brendan Sailing’s founding, a milestone made possible by the vision of founder Jim Muldoon. “The whole event was a celebration of the amazing community that makes Brendan Sailing so special,” said Muldoon. “It’s incredible to see the impact we’ve made over the past 40 years.” “I’m grateful to each person who has contributed to the legacy that Mr. Muldoon founded,” added Brendan Sailing President Joanne Dorval. “It’s because of their dedication and passion that we can continue to expand our reach and make an impact.” Volunteer Awards The ceremony kicked off with the presentation of the Daniel H. Gottlieb Award, recognizing an outstanding volunteer at the Annapolis Camps. This year, Wilbur Keyworth received the honor for his exceptional contribution, not only as a volunteer but as an artist who captured the joy and spirit of the campers through his photography, helping to tell the story of Brendan Sailing. Next, the Molly Mahoney Award for volunteer excellence at the St. Mary’s Camp was awarded to Rick Loheed. With over 15 years of dedicated service at the St. Mary’s College of Maryland campus, Rick’s commitment to safety and operations has been invaluable, ensuring smooth sailing for the campers at the James P. Muldoon River Center. The Kurt M. Lowman Award was presented to Senator John Pica, who has been instrumental in advocating for legislation to secure vital state funding for Brendan Sailing and other organizations serving differently abled Marylanders. Additionally, Senator Pica generously invited campers to participate in the 2024 Hospice Cup regatta, providing them with an incredible opportunity to expand their sailing skills. The Joanne M. Dorval Award, which is awarded to an individual by the Board of Directors, was awarded to Brian Dorval for his pivotal role in guiding the organization’s strategic growth. A co-founder of a distinguished consulting firm, Brian’s leadership and generous support have been critical in shaping the future of Brendan Sailing. Camper Awards The Howard and Jean Kluttz "No Guts No Glory" Award was presented to Nicki Rahim, a returning camper who showed exceptional growth in sailing and leadership. Nicki also played an active role in helping others and showcased his musical talents as part of a local youth band. The Rick and Jenny Nelson Award went to Cameron Wakefield, a dedicated returning sailor who has excelled in his skills, demonstrated a passion for teaching, and participated in a big boat race at the 2024 Hospice Cup. Jailyn Shorter received the Franklin J. “Jerry” & Kathryn M. Wood Outstanding Achievement Award for their leadership and work ethic over the past three years at the St. Mary’s camp. Jailyn has proven to be a role model to fellow campers, always willing to lend a helping hand and support the success of the entire group. The Arthur Birney Award was awarded to Will Rineholt, a camper whose growth and leadership stood out during the St. Mary’s College overnight camp. Will showed impressive resilience and initiative, taking on new challenges and inspiring others with their positive attitude and determination. “Brendan Sailing is a place where every camper has the opportunity to shine and grow, and this year’s awards are a testament to that,” said Executive Director Jane Millman. “I’m incredibly proud of the leadership and passion our campers have shown this year. It’s a joy to see them take on new challenges and set an example for others.” “The warmer months are fast approaching, which means camp will be here before we know it,” Millman added. “I can’t wait to welcome new and returning campers back to Brendan Sailing this summer.” Founded in 1985 by Jim Muldoon, Brendan Sailing is a 501(c)3 organization that empowers children with learning differences through sailing. Fostering confidence, teamwork, and personal growth, the nonprofit has been transforming the lives of children and their families for four decades, providing a unique environment where every child can thrive on the water. Applications for Brendan Sailing’s 2025 summer camps open on February 12. ### |
By Brian Jeffries One of the first lessons kids at Brendan’s Sailing camp learn is what to do if your boat capsizes. “It’s important for us to show the kids what to do if they fall in the water,” said Diane Sullivan, a trainer for the program for children with learning differences. “They see that it’s shallow and we also show them exactly what do to bring the sailboat back to upright.” James P. Moldoon started the program nearly 40 years ago after seeing his son, who was dyslexic, struggling in school but able to operate a sailboat perfectly. He thought that learning to sail might also help other kids navigate life and build social skills, teamwork and leadership. “The first time we saw the success it really made us want to help some of these kids,” said Moldoon. “The system kind of steps on them even though it doesn’t want to. So we just want to help and make more people aware.” That son, Jim Muldoon Jr., became a successful sailor at a young age on Muldoon’s racing yacht, the Donnybrook. |
Named after the Irish monk, St. Brendan the Navigator, the two-week program offers instruction and team building. The campers get to showcase their newly learned nautical skills during the program’s annual Parents’ Sail at Annapolis Sailing School. This year’s Parents’ Sail took place Friday afternoon on choppy water. “I think the sense of confidence that comes with learning a new skill, especially when it ends with taking a parent out on their own, is immeasurable,” said Bethesda’s Natalya Bah. whose son Mamadou Bah, 11, is participating in the camp for the first time. “I’m thrilled to have him get the chance to meet and interact with kids he wouldn’t have met otherwise.” Julie Castro decided to stay on shore as her two sons, Owen, 18 and Eli, 12, sailed the course. “It’s been great for them,” said Castro, of Gaithersburg. “Neither of my boys get excited about a lot of stuff so just the fact that they have been into this as much as they are is a testament to the program.” Owen, who will attend the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in the fall, has already started talking about pursuing sailing through school and coming back to camp next year as an instructor, Castro said. “This has gone from being something to do for a couple weeks to being a thing for him, and I’m so grateful,” Castro said. |
Each year the program accepts up to 20 kids between ages 11 and 18 for the day camp in Annapolis. Teens aged 14 to 18 can participate in the overnight camp that takes place in July for two separate six-day sessions at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. The St. Mary’s program offers sailing instruction and also incorporates the concepts of paddle sports and powerboating as well. |
Muldoon, a member of the Boating Safety Hall of Fame, says while continuing to fund the program can sometimes be difficult, he gets great pleasure from what it has accomplished. And he is adamant that no child be turned down because they can’t afford it. “I never had any long term plans for this program," Muldoon said reflecting back to when he started it in 1986. “I was running a couple other businesses at the time. I just knew that every year I would have two, three, four sets of parents coming up to me to say you’ve changed my kid’s whole life, so that was the best pay back then.” |
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