March 2026 Newsletter
A Message from the Chairman
As we begin another exciting year at Brendan Sailing, I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to our generous community of supporters. Thanks to the dedication of our donors, we finished the year with a strong end-of-year fundraising push that will help ensure Brendan Sailing continues to provide life-changing opportunities for youth with learning differences. I would also like to extend a special thank you to METCOR LSI for their continued commitment to Brendan Sailing’s success through their matching gift. Their partnership has made a meaningful difference and has helped amplify the generosity of so many within our community.
I am also very much looking forward to welcoming many of you to our Annual Awards Ceremony on March 29th. This event is always a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our sailors, recognize the individuals who make Brendan Sailing possible, and spend time together as a community. I hope you will join us; you’ll find more information about the evening below.
Finally, with warmer weather on the horizon, we are eagerly anticipating another incredible summer on the water. Summer camp registration is now open, and we look forward to welcoming both returning and new sailors to experience the confidence, independence, and joy that Brendan Sailing fosters.
Thank you for your continued support of Brendan Sailing. Together, we are making a lasting difference.
Warm regards,
James P. Muldoon
Chairman, Brendan Sailing
Message from the Executive Director
The past few months have been an exciting and energizing time for Brendan Sailing as we continue to build momentum heading into the summer season.
In February, I had the opportunity to attend and present at the national Learning Disabilities Association of America Conference, where I connected with educators, researchers, and professionals from across the country who are dedicated to supporting individuals with learning differences. It was inspiring to share the work Brendan Sailing is doing and to hear from others advancing innovative approaches in the field. The conversations and connections from the conference reinforced just how meaningful experiential learning programs like Brendan Sailing can be for youth who thrive in hands-on environments.
Back here at home, we have officially opened our summer camp applications, and the response has been wonderful. We are already 40% full for the upcoming season, which is an exciting sign of the enthusiasm families have for our programs. If you are planning to apply for camp this summer, I encourage you to submit your application soon as sessions continue to fill.
You may also notice that the Navigating Differences Symposium will not take place this year. After careful consideration, we made the decision to shift our focus toward a new project that we believe will have an even greater and more lasting impact in advancing the work of Brendan Sailing and sharing what we have learned through the Brendan Approach. We are excited about this new direction and look forward to sharing more as it develops.
I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to METCOR LSI for their generous matching campaign at the end of 2025, and to the many supporters who helped us meet our fundraising goal. It was incredibly encouraging to see both new and returning donors step forward in support of Brendan Sailing. Your generosity makes it possible for us to continue providing programs that build confidence, independence, and opportunity for youth with learning differences.
As we look ahead to the busy months leading up to camp, we are also seeking corporate sponsors and partners for several aspects of our work, including our Annapolis summer camps, Brendan Approach trainings, and other program initiatives. If you know of a business or organization that may be interested in partnering with Brendan Sailing, I would be grateful if you would reach out and help make that connection.
There is so much to look forward to in the months ahead, and I am incredibly grateful for the community that continues to stand behind Brendan Sailing. Together, we are creating opportunities that help young people discover their strengths and navigate their futures with confidence.
Warmly,
Jane Millman
Executive Director, Brendan Sailing
Awards Ceremony Invitation
Camp Registration
Update on the Navigating Differences Symposium
After thoughtful consideration, Brendan Sailing has made the decision to cancel the upcoming Navigating Differences Symposium.
While we remain deeply committed to advancing conversations around learning differences and innovative approaches to teaching those with learning differences, we believe this is the right moment to shift our focus and energy toward new initiatives that will further expand Brendan Sailing’s impact.
We are incredibly grateful to the many supporters, speakers, partners, and community members who expressed interest in the symposium and who continue to believe in the importance of this work. Your encouragement and enthusiasm mean a great deal to us.
As we move forward, we are excited about the opportunities ahead and the ways we can continue to share and grow the lessons learned through Brendan Sailing’s programs. We look forward to keeping our community informed as this next chapter develops.
Thank you for your continued support of Brendan Sailing and the youth and families we serve.
Colt Optics Joins Brendan Sailing as a Training Partner
Brendan Sailing is excited to welcome Colt Optics as a new Training Partner supporting the expansion of our Brendan Approach trainings.
Through their generous partnership, four sailing programs will be able to receive the Brendan Approach training at no cost, helping instructors learn effective strategies for teaching youth with learning differences and creating more inclusive sailing environments.
We are incredibly grateful to Colt Optics for their support and commitment to expanding access to these important trainings. Their partnership will help ensure that more sailing programs are equipped to support youth of all learning styles and abilities.
Thank you to Colt Optics for helping us continue to grow the impact of the Brendan Approach.