Youth Outreach and Group Partnerships

The Treasure Island Sailing Center is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization whose purpose is to improve our community and the sport of sailing by providing access, facilities, and sailing instruction to people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, skill levels, and physical abilities.

Each year, TISC partners with Bay Area Youth groups to provide sailing opportunities at little to no cost. We offer full scholarships (free sailing) to groups that work with underprivileged youth. These scholarships are made possible through grants and private donors.

All Groups Welcome: TISC is committed to provide sailing opportunities to ALL youth programs. We work with groups from the East Bay, the Peninsula, San Francisco and San Jose, among others areas! We even host a school from Colorado! All youth groups, schools and community organizations are welcome to sail with us!

In 2011, TISC provided over 500 scholarships for students that visited with Youth Groups. We worked with 19 different Youth Organizations and provided over 28 separate groups of students with sailing and watersports activities. Our partners include:

Life Learning Academy * Mission Beacon Center * Glide Foundation * Treasure Island Boys and Girls Club * Shih Yu Lang Central YMCA * Bayview Beacon Center * Up on Top * City of Richmond Recreation Department * Aspen Community School * Huckleberry Youth Program * Eureka Teen Achievement Program – Girls Incorporated of Alameda * Peninsula Jewish Community Center * Minds Matter San Francisco * Sand Paths Academy * Community Youth Center Chinatown * Ecumenical Hunger Program * Columbia Park Boys and Girls Club * Richmond District Boys and Girls Club

Benefits of Sailing: Sailing is an interactive sport that requires both mental and physical strength. Our curriculum teaches sailing skills, water safety and life skills. Through our curriculum, students will gain on-the-water comfort and confidence. Sailing is a great medium to teach life skills. Students will be given tasks that will teach goal setting, build self-esteem and self-reliance, encourage teamwork and communication and develop leadership skills.

Scholarships: 92% of the youth organizations that sail with us come on FULL SCHOLARSHIP, meaning they participate for free. To qualify for a scholarship, your organization must work with at-risk, low income or underserved youth. If you are unsure as to whether or not your group qualifies, please contact the Program Director at 415-421-2225. To apply for a Group Scholarship, please fill out a Youth Group Scholarship form found on our Registration Page and submit it with a registration form.

Types of Sailing/Watersports Opportunities:

  • 1 Day Orientations Sails – These introductory sails provide a brief exposure to sailing on San Francisco Bay.  Groups will spend three hours sailing on the Bay on larger boats with an instructor on board.  Each child will have the opportunity to steer the boat and enjoy feeling the wind in their hair.
  • 1 Day Kayak Tours – Students will learn basic paddle technique and explore our cove for 2 – 3 hours. Students paddle in pairs in our 2 person beach kayaks and get wet and have fun! Kayaking is a great way for students to build on the water comfort and confidence!
  • Weeklong Summer Camp – Children gain confidence in the water and learn to captain a small sailboat by themselves.  The students will learn the importance of working together to accomplish these goals.
  • Customized Programing – In some circumstances, TISC can be flexible in what we have available and we can modify our offerings to accommodate the needs of a youth organization. Please contact the Program Director at 415-421-2225 for more information!

How to Register: To register for, please fill out a Registration Form (needs to be link) and either fax it to us (415-421-2208) or email it ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). If you have any questions or would like to organize scheduling over the phone, please contact us at 415-421-2225.

Cost of Program: This varies by program. If your organization does not qualify for a scholarship, please contact the Program Director at 415-421-2225 for complete costs or refer to the Registration Forms on our Registration Page.

Transportation: Unfortunately, TISC is unable to provide transportation at this time. Many groups use the MUNI 108 Treasure Island Bus, which leaves from the San Francisco Transbay Terminal and stops close to our facility.