40 Years of Summer Camps for Kids With Learning Differences at Brendan Sailing
This year marks an important milestone for one of the region’s most transformative programs for young people. A longtime resource for kids with learning differences and their parents, Brendan Sailing celebrates its 40th anniversary of its summer sailing camp series, which takes place annually in Annapolis and St. Mary’s, MD.
“It’s incredible to see the impact we’ve made over the past 40 years,” says Brendan Sailing founder and chairman Jim Muldoon, who was inspired to start the program after seeing the transformation his son Jimmy underwent while sailing on his racing boat Donnybrook.
Muldoon’s mission to bring sailing to children with learning differences such as ADHD, dyslexia, and dysgraphia, and autism spectrum disorder began in 1985, when he and Jimmy, who was young and struggling with dyslexia, left the dock together to head out sailing on the Chesapeake Bay. Muldoon observed that the more Jimmy built skills that helped him harness the power and direction of the boat, the more confidence and self-assuredness he gained. After that, Muldoon set about building an accredited youth sailing program and a curriculum that would bring that same experience to thousands more kids with learning differences.
Now in its 40th year, Brendan Sailing is ready to launch into another round of week-long camps, including one with overnight stays at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. The application period for 2025 camps opened on February 12, and signups will be accepted until the slots are filled.
“Over the course of a week, campers learn how to sail, work with their peers, and solve problems—all while building confidence in an environment that is intentionally designed to support different learning styles,” says Brendan Sailing executive director Jane Millman.
Annapolis parent Jennifer K. adds of her son’s experience, “One of the most significant changes we noticed was in Anthony’s self-esteem. Each day he came home beaming with pride, eager to share his achievements and adventures on the water.
“The sense of camaraderie and friendship he developed with fellow campers was heartwarming,” she continued. “He felt understood and accepted, which was incredibly important for his emotional well-being.”
Millman says there are still a few spots available for this summer, though each year it fills up more quickly. She says the program’s popularity is the result of how uniquely tailored the camps are to youth with specialized learning needs, all while being taught by US Sailing-certified instructors.
“Brendan Sailing is all about experiential instruction with a focus on learning by doing,” says Millman. “It’s important to us that as we offer that experience, our campers feel they’re learning in a safe and supportive environment for growth. It’s why each of our instructors is trained in the Brendan Approach.”
After several years of the program’s development and lived experience, Muldoon partnered with educators to professionalize and accredit the training program for its instructors.
“We realized we needed to formalize how we train the trainers,” says Muldoon.
The Brendan Approach teaches instructors to adapt their coaching methods to meet individual needs, improve communication, and maximize outcomes for campers with cognitive differences and unique learning styles.
“In the United States alone, there are 2.3 million kids with diagnosed neurodiverse learning profiles,” Millman says. “One in 36 are on the autism spectrum. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work for them, and that’s where the Brendan Approach steps in to fill the gap.”
More than 500 sailing instructors across the U.S. have been certified in this method since its inception in 2021.
As part of its 40th year celebrations, Brendan Sailing has expanded its scholarship programs for 2025 and beyond, ensuring the positive impact of the program is accessible to all. As the organization looks beyond its anniversary year, Muldoon says they remain committed to the core values of inclusion, empowerment, and community.
“Our plans for the future include expanding our reach to more families, enhancing programs, and continuing to adapt to the evolving needs of children with learning differences,” he says. “Brendan Sailing is a place where every camper has the opportunity to shine and grow, and our mission remains to provide children with learning differences a space to feel accepted, build self-esteem, and achieve their personal best.”
To learn more, visit brendansailing.org.
~By Meredith Glacken
Find more about sailing programs and getting into sailing at all ages at startsailingnow.com
