In the summer of 2006 the Wendy Park Foundation teamed up with Cleveland Area Boat Building and Boating Society (CABBS) to create a summer boat building camp for children.  The campers were from the Cleveland Municipal School District and in the 6th through 8th grades. Dubbed WHISTLE (Whiskey Island to Lake Erie), the camp taught fifteen children working in teams of three to build five 8-foot Optimist dinghy sail boats. The camp introduces children to Lake Erie, our greatest natural resource, and taught important life skills such as teamwork, effective communication and respect. Upon completion of the boats, the children learned to sail them safely on Lake Erie. When the boats were finally launched and the children were sailing, the smiles on their faces and expressions of accomplishment were priceless!          

In 2007 the Wendy Park foundation will expand the W.H.I.S.T.L.E. program to 21 children.  The vessels from last year’s camp will be used in a summer sailing camp. The money raised from the sailing school will help fund the W.H.I.S.T.L.E. program each year.

To volunteer to help the children build the boats, learn to sail or to donate products and/or materials please contact Debbie Greenwaldt, Special event manager at:  dgreenwaldt@wendyparkfoundation.org                 

The Wendy Park Foundation thanks all the instructors who took the time out of their daily routines to work with the children in this pilot year.  Their patience, knowledge and desire to make a difference were truly commendable. Left to Right:  Wes Roepke, Charles Thaxton, Jesse Bach, Gary Vinicky, Hank Vincenti, Luther Norman, George Miller. (Missing from photo:  Tony Diggs and George Christ)  Also very special thanks to C.A.B.B.S., the Sea Scouts (Ship 41) and The Greater Cleveland Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Highlander Fleet 14 and Spirit of America.