Press Kit
Who We Are
..Building Self-Confidence and Social Skills through Sailing...
The Brendan Corporation is a registered 501(3)c and parent entity to the Brendan Sailing Program. We foster entry level sailing programs with US Sailing certified instructors with a focus on “learning by doing”. Since our founding in 1985 we have been committed to providing a foundation for success and building pathways for self-confidence and personal growth in youth with learning differences…through individually tailored experiential instruction in sailing.
Our Programs
For much of Brendan Sailing’s 36-year history, the Annapolis waterfront has been our primary home. Since 1985 we have been operating out of Annapolis Sailing School on Bembe Beach where we have an outstanding partnership with the sailing school and the community. In 2005, we expanded our programs to St. Mary’s College of Maryland (a Public Honors College) in St. Mary’s City, Maryland. Through partnership with the college, we introduced the program’s residential camp session, where participants get the opportunity to gain a sense of independence by staying on campus in the SMCM resident halls. Recently in 2018, our organization has added a new after school program in Washington DC, operating thanks to our partner DC Sail in the Fall and Spring months. For more information on all our programs, click the links below.nar dapibus leo.
The Need
A child’s talents and skills need a chance to develop, and that chance to develop requires different approaches for students with learning differences.
Brendan Sailing works with students with learning differences such as dyslexia, attention deficit, and autism spectrum disorders. And while each child is unique, these learning differences do have common issues; children with learning differences often exhibit low self-esteem, struggle in school, and are at a greater risk for being bullied.
However, there are protective factors for children with learning differences; positive physical development, high self-esteem, and emotional self-regulation, along with good coping and problem-solving skills. Brendan Sailing helps youth build those protective factors.
Sailing provides the therapeutic effects of being on the water and requires communication and social interaction. Several studies have found that sailing builds self-esteem and confidence. One study by K. McCulloch (et.al.) found that, “young people consistently experience increases in their sense of confidence about themselves and their dealings with the world, following participation in sail training voyages, and that for some participants these changes are lasting.”
Our core mission is to build pathways for self-confidence and self-esteem through individually tailored experiential instruction in sailing that we call “the Brendan Approach” that focuses on hands-on learning while building personal connections, and a habit of success.
Brendan Sailing serves families and children in the learning differences community. We define differences to be inclusive of learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, and autism spectrum disorders. We do not require a formal diagnosis. We are a family-oriented organization and serve those with family members with learning differences. Children, parents, friends, and family can all get involved in a variety of ways including volunteering, participating and sponsorship.
We believe no child should be overlooked because of financial reasons, therefore we provide scholarship assistance (partial and full) to those in need. Scholarships are made possible by the generosity of our founder, our supporters, and funding from the Kathy & Jerry Wood Foundation (2019).
Academic Research Supporting Program Benefits
- “The data collected provide evidence that sail training has positive benefits in terms of participants’ social confidence and their self-perceptions of capacity to work collaboratively with others”.
- “It is argued that while sail training experiences are generally positive and beneficial, some appear to be more effective than others in developing social confidence. “
- “We also show that it is not principally the seamanship dimension of the experience, but the combination of a structured purposeful programme with the unique character of the seafaring environment that provides the basis for the learning. “
- “Sail training should therefore be understood not solely as adventurous recreation but as a powerful educative experience.”
- “Throughout the United States of America, educators are increasingly recognizing the importance of promoting emotional resiliency and positive social development in youth by incorporating social and emotional learning (SEL) instruction within the general curriculum.”
- “Improved SEL serves to prevent high-risk behaviors, such as substance abuse, delinquency, and violence and is also associated with positive school-related outcomes, such as social acceptance, problem solving skills, stress management, and academic success”
- “Greenberg and colleagues (2003) found that effective social and emotional instruction improves students’ abilities to recognize and manage emotion, understand and appreciate the perspectives of others, establish positive goals, make responsible decisions, and cope with interpersonal conflicts.”
- “Long-term positive life outcomes are also associated with SEL, including high school completion, healthy marriage, stable family, and marriage success.”
- “A number of recent studies have revealed that taking part in a sail training-based Adventure Education Programme elevates youths’ self-esteem.”
- “Study 1 revealed that participants who completed the voyage showed an increase in self-esteem from the first to the last day of the voyage.”
- “Study 2 replicated Study 1 and, further, demonstrated that the relationship between group belonging and self-esteem was not a function of self-efficacy or group esteem. Such findings suggest that an important contributing factor to the benefits of sail-training interventions is their potential to satisfy psychological needs, in this case the need to belong.”
Founder's Story
Since the program’s inception, more than 600 young people, ages 11 to 18, have been introduced to the joys of sailing, and, in the process, improved relationships with their peers and built self-esteem, confidence, and maturity.
Outside of Brendan Sailing, Muldoon has also previously served as President of the United States Sailing Association (1997-2000), Chairman of the Board of Learning Systems International, a division of METCOR (1979 – Present), and Chairman of the National Boating Safety Advisory Council (1998-2016).
Impact/Results
Janet, Parent of Brendan Sailor 2018
Lisa, Parent of Brendan Sailor 2018
Kate, Parent of Brendan Sailor 2013
Greg, Parent of Brendan Sailor 2017
Camp Survey Statistics
- 100% of Campers Improved in Sailing
- Majority of Campers Improved Self-Confidence, Teamwork skills, navigation skills, and listening skills
- Almost all campers said they would tell their friends about Brendan Sailing
- Over 80% of Parents saw their child’s Self-Esteem improve
- All Parents saw their child’s Self-Confidence Improve based on the Brendan Experience
- Two third of parents saw their child’s well-being and positive outlook improve
- One third of campers indicated a reduction in stress following camp
- 100% of parents would recommend Brendan Sailing to friends
Press Highlights
The Enterprise:
"Sailing Camp Offers Children Chance to Learn in a New Way"
“The camp didn’t just change Evan; it changed Tara, too. ‘I saw the acceptance and patience from the instructors at Brendan Sailing. There were no judgments. They let him be who he was. This changed the way we relate to each other at home.'”
ADDitude:
"4 Transformative Summer Camps: ADHD Testimonials"
“The camp didn’t just change Evan; it changed Tara, too. ‘I saw the acceptance and patience from the instructors at Brendan Sailing. There were no judgments. They let him be who he was. This changed the way we relate to each other at home.'”
Annapolis Patch: "Brendan Sailing Camp Open to Kids with Learning Differences"
“…Brendan is a program where my son fit in right away, gained a sense of accomplishment in learning to sail, made new friends and looks forward to every summer. As a parent of a child with learning differences, this is not something that is easily found.'”
