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Sail Her Dreams is a STEM Academy for girls between the ages 10-18. This week-long sailing adventure introduces girls to a whole new world, fostering personal growth and development.
Each day, the girls will rotate through different stations where they’ll work on STEM-related projects like building simple machines, and conducting experiments, as well as hands-on sailing activities that teach them about navigation, teamwork, and boat mechanics. They will also hear from female role models who have built successful careers in STEM and sailing, sharing their personal journeys, challenges, and triumphs.
The Academy emphasizes mentorship, allowing the girls to ask questions, receive guidance, and explore career paths in both STEM and sailing, from marine biology to naval engineering and even careers as professional sailors or engineers. The goal is to inspire confidence, curiosity, and show them that both STEM and sailing are exciting, accessible fields full of possibilities.
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What STEM Education and Environmental Awareness Looks Like:
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Physics of Sailing: Lessons on the forces of wind and water, the physics of sailboats, and basic navigation techniques. Students will apply principles of force, motion, and energy transfer to understand how sailing works.
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Marine Ecology and Sustainability: Students will learn about the local marine ecosystem of Lake Michigan, including the challenges posed by pollution, invasive species, and climate change. They will participate in hands-on activities like water quality testing, identifying native and invasive species, and cleaning up debris from the lake.
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Astronomy and Weather: Understanding how weather patterns and celestial navigation play a role in sailing, with lessons on tides, wind currents, and star-gazing.​​​
​​​Please Keep in Mind:
The Academy is $550 per student for a week. The Academy can only accept 15 students per week between the ages of 10-18. Sailors will be provided with life preservers which are required wear while at the dock, on the boat, and in the water. Students will learn how to sail, maneuver and operate a 24-foot sailboat. We ensure proper guidance with a student to instructor ratio of 5:1. Early drop-off and late pick-up options are available. Please complete the application to start your child on the journey of STEM & sailing.
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2025 Season Schedule
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Session 1: June 16th-20th Session 5: July 21st-24th
Session 2: June 23rd-27th Session 6: July 28th-August 1st
Session 3: July 7th-11th Session 7: August 4th-8th
Session 4: July 14th-18th Session 8: August 11th-15th
About The Academy
Sail Her Dreams is structured as a week-long, hands-on sailing and STEM Academy held during the summer months and consists of:
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Sailing Instruction and Safety Training:
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Participants will receive basic sailing instruction, learning how to navigate and operate small boats. Safety and teamwork are core components of the training.
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Leadership and Teamwork:
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Throughout the week, students will work in teams to complete sailing challenges, while learning the importance of leadership, communication, and problem-solving.
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Field Trips & Guest Speakers:
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The program will include mini field trips around Montrose Harbor, Park & Beach so that the girls can discover and analyze different marine ecosystems and environments.
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Guest speakers will include female role models working in marine biology, environmental conservation, and STEM fields.
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STEM Education and Environmental Awareness:
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Physics of Sailing: Lessons on the forces of wind and water, the physics of sailboats, and basic navigation techniques. Students will apply principles of force, motion, and energy transfer to understand how sailing works.
-
Marine Ecology and Sustainability: Students will learn about the local marine ecosystem of Lake Michigan, including the challenges posed by pollution, invasive species, and climate change. They will participate in hands-on activities like water quality testing, identifying native and invasive species, and cleaning up debris from the lake.
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Astronomy and Weather: Understanding how weather patterns and celestial navigation play a role in sailing, with lessons on tides, wind currents, and star-gazing.
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Meet Your Mentors
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Harken Derm
Session 7: August 4 - 8
Learn how skincare choices impact both your skin and the environment. Understand how eco-friendly products like HarkenDerm contribute to marine life protection and sustainability, and lastly, the TRUTH about Melanoma.
Captain Erica Trejo
Session 6: July 28 - Aug 1
Get out of your comfort zone with sailing. It can be daunting at first, but with our classroom activities, land exercises and games, we will be sailing in no time!
SAIL HER DREAMS IS A 501(C)(3) Nonprofit Organization
Empower the next generation of female leaders by supporting Sail Her Dreams, our youth girls STEM sailing Academy. We provide young girls with the opportunity to combine hands-on sailing experiences with STEM education, fostering skills in science, technology, engineering, and math while building confidence and teamwork on the water. Your donation will help us provide these life-changing opportunities, creating future innovators who are prepared to excel in both STEM fields and beyond. Join us in inspiring and shaping the future of young women — together, we can make waves of change.