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by Kassandra Nevarez, Marketing and Communications Assistant

The summertime is perfect for getting outside and learn something new. Once school is out, Row New York increases its programming to help our participants make the most out of the summer months. Our Middle School Summer Program consists of academics, rowing and field trips to keep our middle schoolers engaged. Our High School Summer Program also consists of rowing and academics (we offer college visits, workshops such as our Brilliance and Bravery Forum, SAT prep and the Summer Writing Corps.)

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Cleaning up Jones Beach

Every summer, our Middle School teams commit one day to community service. This year, our students cleaned up Jones Beach. As rowers, we know that clean waterways are essential to our health and well-being. On our field trip we took time to reflect on why we need to keep our beaches clean. Our middle schoolers recognized the effects that litter has on wildlife and on humans and were excited to make a difference.

We cleaned up the area around the Jones Beach Theatre, including the entrance, parking lot, and beach. We cleaned diligently, especially after learning that cigarette butts take up to ten years to decompose!

After snapping a quick group picture with our trash bags as trophies, the teams headed to the beach for a post-cleanup break in the waves.

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Queens Summer Camps

During the summer months we also host Learn-to-Row camps in Queens, to introduce the sport of rowing to various non-profits from around the city. The camps are an opportunity for youth and adults alike to try something new and challenging. We start with icebreakers, games and a warm-up, and then participants learn to row on land with rowing machines. Once everyone has a good idea of the rowing stroke we move into our barges.

Safety and fun are our biggest priorities for these camps, along with exposing a variety of residents to rowing. Participants are encouraged to push themselves – but coaches make sure that the athletes feel comfortable and safe. Along with wearing life jackets, participants are kept safe by using stable barges that allow coaches to be close to the rowers.

The organizations we served this summer include: Liberty Leads, Powerplay NYC, Hudson Guild, ACS Non-secure Detention Youth, Wheeling ForwardInitiative for Women with Disabilities 

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Are you a NYC-based non-profit organization interested in bringing your students to a learn-to-row summer camp? Contact Denise Aquino, Director of Community Rowing at daquino@rownewyork.org to learn more. 

School may be out during the summer, but our student-athletes don’t stop learning!

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