The Wardle Family YMCA, located at 1801 Richmond Ave. in Port Royal, recently hired Paul Spencer as the sailing and boating director who will implement the Y’s new Spirit of America youth and teen boating program set to launch this summer.

Spencer, an avid boater and water enthusiast, has an extended background in real estate management, sales and start-up company operations. He has served as a volunteer for the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Winter Park, CO, and as a volunteer and board member for Adaptive Adventures in Evergreen, CO. Spencer is certified in Boating Safety by the US Power Squadron, is a member of the U.S. Rowing Association and the Beaufort Rowing Club.

“Paul was the clear choice for this position,” YMCA CEO Michael Bostwick stated. “He possesses the know-how to start a program, see it to its fruition and train staff and volunteers to ensure its success. We look forward to having him on board.”

The Spirit of America program will introduce young people to several different types and sizes of watercraft and water-based activities, all of which nurture responsible behavior. This partnership is unique to the Wardle YMCA branch and will play a vital role in ensuring the safety of the area’s youth around waterways.

The program will maintain the YMCA’s policy to offer affordable programs that are accessible by all. The YMCA will offer aid to those who may not otherwise be able to participate.

Spirit of America provides an ideal environment for the students to learn, react, and develop lifelong learning skills and ambitions.

Based on a hands-on program, Spirit of America empowers youth, in a non-traditional classroom setting, to dare to dream, while meeting the underlying goals of the curriculum for developing self-esteem, teamwork, safe seamanship, boating and water safety practices, and responsible behavior in our young adults.

Volunteers to help run the program are needed. Interested parties should contact Paul Spencer at the YMCA of Beaufort County at 843-522-9622 or boatingymca@gmail.com.
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