Youth Sailing Program
Follow the program on Facebook…
LJT Youth Sailing Program
More details on the website…
www.ljtyouthsailing.org
The program was initiated as a fitting memorial to Louis J. Thibodeaux who was a loyal and active member of the Pelican Yacht Club. Louis introduced his two children and seven grandchildren to sailing. Over his more than 50-year sailing career in Arkansas and Louisiana, he owned and sailed a Catalina 25, a Jeanneau 34 and a Catalina 22. The latter vessel was affectionally named FLO to go with the heavily lashed eye painted on her bow. Louis was a successful racer but spurned participation in the spinnaker fleet. His bareboat charter cruises included the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, Turkey, the Sea of Cortez, and Saint Martin/St. Barts.
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The Louis J. Thibodeaux Youth Sailing Program is committed to providing safe, high quality education and training programs to prepare youths 8-17 years of age for lifelong enjoyment of sailing. Recruitment will target both the Greater Baton Rouge and Madisonville-Covington areas with a particular inclusion of youths from underrepresented groups. Learning will take place in a safe atmosphere of fun and friendliness so characteristic of the program’s namesake.
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Offer sailing education programs for youths ages 8-17, including youths from underrepresented groups.
Equip participants with the confidence, knowledge, and skills to helm a sailboat competently and safely.
Promote and nurture the development of leadership, self-confidence, and teamwork skils.
Provide a comprehensive program of educational and practical activities ranging from rigging, launching, recovering, maintaining helming, crewing, to racing a sailboat.
Identify and encourage good environmental practices and stewardship related to sailing and water resources.
A somewhat longer-range goal is to incorporate and integrate STEM principles into the principles of sailing.
Provide scholarships to assist youths from underrepresented groups to participate.
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Effective December 6, 2022, the Program achieved status as a 501 (c) (3) charitable nonprofit corporation. The Program is further classified as a Public Charity.
Two youth sailing camps have been scheduled for New Roads/False River for July 15-19 and July 22-26, 2024.
Information about the Program can be requested by emailing an inquiry to ljtyouthsailing@gmail.com
Details about the Program and the sailing camps are published regularly on Facebook- LJT Youth Sailing Program.
The Program recently received a grant from The Boo Grigsby Foundation and financial support from the JJL&W Insurance Consulting Firm.
