In an effort to keep you informed about the exciting youth events going on at OCBC, Commodore Mike Anderson has requested that we make regular reports in the YeLogge and the Youth website.

If you have had the opportunity to attend the regular membership meeting for April you are already aware of the generous contribution from Jim Blakewell to the Youth Program. Jim made a donation through the Heartland Foundation of $1,000.00 for the development of the program. Once again, the membership shows its dedication to the youth of the Club. The Youth Committee has not decided how to use Jim's donation but we have some good ideas. Thank you Jim.

The Youth had their first work party on April 10, 2004. It was a dark and rainy day but the youth of the club persevered, repaired the sails for the youth boats, and inventoried all of the youth equipment. The parents meeting followed immediately where we discussed upcoming events and posted the Youth Calendar. Please check the web site for a copy of the calendar and other pertinent information (www.okcboatclub.org or a link from the OCBC Web page).

What do we have planned for this coming summer? The ever-popular Opti Sail is still scheduled on Friday night. However, we will be expanding the format and encourage all age sailors to attend. We will rig and sail Opti's, Lasers, 420's, Sunfish, along with any other boats the kids want to sail. The format will be the same with sailing starting around 6:00 p.m. and continuing until dark or until we are finished. We would consider opening another evening, after school is out for the summer, and would take suggestions from the membership as to what day of the week would work for you and the kids.

The first scheduled event will be the Spring Tune Up on May 22 and 23 at OCBC. The Spring Tune Up is a Central States Sailing Association sanctioned event and open to all members of the CSSA or anyone else who wants to come. We will have organized events for the kids to help prepare them for the coming season and will have a sleep over at the club. Suggestions for sailing topics would be accepted and appreciated. So everyone bring your sleeping bag and pillow and be prepared to have fun.

For more in depth instruction we will have three week long sailing camps. The camps will be held on the following weeks: June 28, through July 2, 2004, July 12 through 18, 2004, and July 26, through July 30, 2004.

We have been fortunate to obtain the services of Ms Holly Brown of WindyCrest Sailing Club to act as coach during the Sailing Camp. Many of you may know Holly from the many CSSA and TSA events she has sailed in the last few years or her participation in the Ida Lewis, when it was held at OCBC. Holly's list of accomplishments is too long to list here but we believe she is well qualified for the job. Holly is a US Sailing Level 1 instructor who we feel is well equipped and eager to work with our kids. We hope Holly will be available for the Spring Tune Up so that everyone will have the opportunity to get acquainted with her.

The Youth will be sponsoring the Family Fun Race Dinners on May 29, 2004, June 12, 2004, August 14, 2004, and September 11, 2004. So come out and support the Youth on those dates.

If you have any questions or comments about the youth program feel free to contact Francis Beling, David Bass, Pascal Aughtry or Bill Brett. We would love any comments or suggestions.