Our Programs

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 National Take Our Youth Boating Week is an opportunity each year to share your love of water-based recreation with a young person.  This is a great way for individuals to pass on safety skills and tie generations of boaters together.

National Take Our Youth Boating Week takes place the week surrounding the 4th of July each year.  The 4th  of July is a busy time on the water and the perfect time to remind boaters to be well educated and to keep safety in the forefront of their experience.

In an effort to keep the “Spirit” of our program alive in the grass roots of our country and introduce a young person to boating, individuals are asked to take a photograph and/or create a 30 second video, with a 'safety message',  of boating with a young person and send it to us for a chance to win special prizes.

The Foundation chooses those media entries depicting all that the Spirit of America mission embraces. The top three photographs and / or videos depicting safe boating practices have won prizes.This program is an ongoing, nationally recognized by the US Congress, annual week-long event dedicated to getting young people safely on the water in boats.

 Applicants must be following all federal and state laws and regulations; proof of a state boating education class certificate for the adult on board, lifejackets properly fitting and in good condition, if registration numbers are visible they must be properly displayed, and no alcohol should be seen in any of the media. 

Detailed information is available in the application.

National Youth Boating Hall of Fame / The Spirit of America Foundation, Inc. is the home of the National Youth Boating Education Hall of Fame. Young people between the ages of 12-24, nominated on an annual basis, will be reviewed and then recognized by a committee reviewing the credentials according to the application guidelines for persons excelling in any of the disciplines of boating, sail, paddle and or power.

We believe in the importance of recognizing our participants, partners, instructors, and volunteers for their outstanding contributions toward making the water a safer place.  Each of the awarded deserves acclaim for their unwavering commitment and countless hours of dedicated service.

Official recognition for a very honorable and distinct nomination, acceptance and induction into the Spirit of America Foundation National Youth Boating Hall of Fame.

In the 24 years of the Spirit of America Foundations existence, this new National honor has been presented to the first four young nominees for their truly inspiring dedication to boating and water safety education and the manner in which they have gone above and beyond to share their knowledge with others at such a young age.  

These young people provide promise for a brighter future for many young adults. Hall of Fame inductees epitomize the meaning of our mission; the Spirit of America Foundation instills confidence and fosters the Spirit of teamwork in our nation’s youth, including developing self-esteem while nurturing responsible behavior and positive, lifelong ambitions. ‘We shall teach the way our children learn’ 

 We provide introduction to water-based recreational activities in a way for our students to dare to dream, learn, react and develop lifelong learning skills in a unique, safe and educational environment'. Inductees have exemplified all of this and more! 

We extend our deepest gratitude to our newly inducted Spirit of America National Youth Boating Hall of Fame recipients for all they have done for others as exceptional and extraordinary young people. We are so proud of all of their accomplishments and look forward to following them into a promising future of continued community and family service. 

As a member of this prestigious Hall of Fame members are entitled to a permanent position in the National Youth Boating Hall of Fame and you are entitled to all member benefits. 

With our deepest respect and gratitude and on behalf of the entire Executive Board of Directors and Staff of Spirit of America Foundation that we welcome the following into the Spirit of America Foundation National Youth Boating Hall of Fame:

2017 Inductee Dustin Majewski Class of 1995 Inaugural Class, Ohio

2017 Inductee Rosie Garam Packett Class of 2001 Ohio

2018 Inductee Allison Ulrich          Class of 2012 Ohio 

2018 Inductee Nathaniel Cullinan Class of 2009 Ohio 

From our friend Colleen, 2018 Graduate, who shares her experience with others who may be fearful of trying something new. 

What Colleen shares with us will make a difference for so many children. We do recognize and work with those students challenged by more than just daily stressors of being a teenager.

“In the beginning when I had first found out about the program I was pretty excited to hear that I was going to be in because I like boating, sounds like a lot of fun. The idea of getting through day one and going home and being just worn out after being really afraid that I wouldn’t be able to continue because I might get sick or if I can’t do the swimming or if I can’t even stand up on the stand up paddle board. I convinced myself that I am not gonna be able to, but I did! I continued trucking through. I was thinking I just want to do this. I want to accomplish it because I was already here and I thought I’m already doing this.  I’m going to see it through to the end.

And then I get through the classroom work, I’ve passed my test and now we’re out here on the water and the first thing that I’m assigned to do is drive a power boat. I was very afraid of that. I was thinking that I should not be trusted with this I’m gonna crash it we’re going to sink. I had so much anxiety I was so afraid with asthma and being sick and everything it’s terrifying but I got out there and I got to feel like the wind in the breeze and someone was already driving it before I got to. That helped. I thought it’s just that I want to do this so much. When I got to steer I picked it up so fast. I finished before I knew it and it was just amazing. I feel like I could’ve done that all day. I can’t wait to do that again.  I’m going to say kayaking was a different experience. I ran out of breath. My arms and hips got tired but it was still a lot of fun. But, you know even if I was getting wet every 2 seconds it was ok. OK, I’m just mostly, like if you have any challenges in your life whether it be physical or mental or emotional you must try and overcome things, because I have had to wear braces in order to keep myself up properly. I had trouble on the stand up paddle board but I recognized that. That was something I can’t do so I didn’t force myself to do it but that’s not stopping me from sitting on the board and paddling.

If you’re afraid that you’re going to tip the boat over into the water if that happens you’ve got instructors and people here who care about you and want to protect you and nothing

that’s here is going to hurt you because you’re doing this safely and with knowledge you’ve gained first.

This program makes me feel so good. I love to go on the water. It’s so scary and so beautiful all at the same time. Don’t over think the waves wind. Trust. Trust yourself and your instructors.

If the boat has a problem. Trust you’ll get back. After you take the course you know what to expect. Trust yourself and your knowledge. and I trust in my instructors. If you’re put yourself down you’ll never trust in your ability. Don’t be afraid to tell others what your challengers are. They have to know. Asthma, physical problems or whatever they are, tell someone. They will help you! Tell all always. Don’t be embarrassed no one will ridicule you for your issues. If someone is going to make fun of you they aren’t worth being around.

Think better of yourself!” 

Our Graduates are "paying it forward" creating future generations of "SAFE-SMART"Boaters Spirited Outreach; Boating it Forward, A National Youth Outreach Program.

Our young graduates come back after their successful completion of the program to act as Jr. Volunteers and eventually, as they turn 18, instructors.  Several students have gone on to not only be instructors but also Instructor Trainers and Coordinators. Grow your team from within your community!

We are often asked about the individuals who may participate in our programs:

    Any young person may apply to participate in a Spirit fo America program across the country.  Each host location offers an application process for the young people in their areas.