David Pasackow, past Board Member
“The Community Sailing Center is important because it provides public access to the lake.”
“The Community Sailing Center reaches its mission through programming. It started with basic services, such as sailing rentals, but now there are a lot more opportunities. This includes outreach programs, programs for at-risk youth, programs for seniors and much more. They are constantly developing new programming.”

Sharon Davison, Camper Parent
“I like the Sailing Center because it is open to everyone; it provides a good sense of community and diversity.”

Robin LaRue, Camper Parent
“A lot of money is being put into after the fact problems. I hope that more money will be put into programs that promote healthy growth and living like this one.”

Emma and Sage LaRue, Campers
“We enjoy camp here because it is amazingly fun. Everything is fun about it, including the people.”

Scott Surgner, Volunteer
“I like volunteering at the Sailing Center because there is a wonderful group of people at the Sailing Center. It also gives me the opportunity to contribute in a multitude of ways and a chance to sail again.”

Evan LeCompte, LeaderSHIP Program Coordinator
“The Sailing Center provides an outlet for kids to make a connection to the lake. It gives them a new opportunity and allows them to learn about and respect the lake and the growth of it.”

Mark Naud, past Board Member
“The Community Sailing Center embraces the values of sailing through access, opportunity, affordability, and medium. In Burlington there are limited access opportunities to the lake, the Sailing Center provides that access.”
“I hope that in the future the Sailing Center will have a permanent home and a community center, a place that people can call home.”

Daniel King, LeaderSHIP Coordinator
“Through the LeaderSHIP program, the students learn about teamwork, communication, qualities of leadership, what it’s like to have someone that isn’t pulling their weight, healthy excitement, appreciating other peoples skills and accomplishments, and pride in a job well done.”

Lucy Hladik, Camper
“I like the camp because it was relaxed, but we got a lot of sailing in. It was a lot of fun.”

Sarah Smith, Staff Member
“The Community Sailing Center teaches people about how to preserve nature, how to take care of a natural resource, and fosters an interest in sailing and love for the water. Sailing is something that is unavailable to a lot of classes of people and the Center gives them this opportunity.”
“In the future, I hope that the Sailing Center will have more outreach to underprivileged neighborhoods and communities. I also hope that we can teach people how to preserve the lake and get people more interested in sailing and the lake.”

Jane Jarecki, Yoga Teacher
“The Sailing Center is important because people need an outlet to be recreational and have fun. It is important to have a relationship with the water, take advantage of it, have fun and treat it well. “

Marc Sherman, Board Member
“The Sailing Center acts as an interface between Burlington and its greatest asset, the lake.”
“I hope to see a permanent facility that will offer year-round programs. These will include environmental stewardship programs, boating safety, building, and other non-water programs.”

Jack Stackhouse, LeaderSHIP Program
“Through the LeaderSHIP program, kids learn technical terms about sailing and how to maneuver a boat. Many of the kids in the program would never have gotten the chance to be on a boat otherwise. It is hard for these kids to get out of the neighborhood and this is an opportunity of a lifetime for them.”

John Bauer, User
“The Sailing Center is important because it is important to have organizations that build a community for those that have a common interest, in addition to making the lake accessible for everyone.”

Jackie Liebman, Volunteer
“I wanted to be able sail during the summer, it was a good way to get involved, and meet people.”
“Every time I help with boats, I learn something. It’s a constant learning process.”

Polly Howlett, Adult Sailing Class Graduate and Volunteer
“I wanted to take a sailing class because I always wanted to feel confident about sailing a boat by myself.”

Pete Brewster, Staff Member
“The Sailing Center gets people out on the water that don’t have the means themselves, introduces people to the lake, and gets them more involved with the waterfront.”