Spectrum Sailing  (501c3), the only National Autism Sailing Camp,  provided a free camp to 20 local children this fall. The camp, hosted by Sarasota Youth Sailing and Sarasota Sailing Squadron taught the basics of sailing—a rare opportunity for children ages 10-17 with autism. Spectrum Sailing offers maritime education, programming and outreach for individuals with autism and provides opportunities for skill development, social interaction and confidence building. Sailing is the platform that the organization uses to positively impact the physical, mental and social health of the participants.

Spectrum Sailing was born out of necessity  when the group’s executive director and founder, Scott Herman, was looking for a sailing camp for his son, Daniel, about seven years ago. “I wanted Daniel to be able to attend sailing camp—sort of a right of passage in the world of sailors,” shares Herman. “We have five programs in Charleston and none of them would take him because of his autism diagnosis. They didn't have staff or anything they felt they needed for that type of camp. That was a little disheartening to me and to my wife, so we searched and found a group called Surfers Healing—a national organization that goes around the country hosting surfing events for autistic youth, and Daniel was lucky enough to attend one.  I left there with the determination that we were going to start a camp of our own the next summer and so that’s what we did—my wife and I started a program for kids like Daniel. The first year, there were 10 spots and we had 70 kids apply. And that's when we realized, we're on to something, we haven't even run a camp yet and we had this much interest.” 

Founded in Charleston, the Hermans built the only Autism Sailing Camp in South Carolina. The local program grew and proved successful. It was then that Scott decided kids across the country needed this opportunity.  Through the generosity of both the Autism and Sailing communities Spectrum Sailing now offers camps in multiple locations at no cost to the sailors or their families. This year alone, they’ve hosted ten camps in ten cities across the country. “We started the year in Newport Beach, California and went all the way to Portland Maine,” says Herman. “We already have a number of cities and new locations that want us to come and so we're working on putting that calendar together as we speak.”

Since there are spots for only 20 campers, Spectrum Sailing uses a lottery program to admit campers. Herman believes that the huge demand to be a part of the lottery has proven that there is a strong need for his program. He feels strongly that part of the program’s success comes from having a lot of adults on board to help. At minimum, there are eight adults to every ten kids at all times. Then they divide the ten kids onto the boats with no more than four kids, with two adults on board. “Each of the three boats has two adults and then, myself, and another adult are on the water in a powerboat for a safety boat,” he explains. “And then when we're in the classroom, again it's a minimum of eight. We still have some parents that stick around and some volunteers who don't want to go on the water so they stay inside for the lessons.

Although Daniel is the reason that Spectrum Sailing was formed in the first place, Herman’s now 16 year-old sophomore son shares that he does not love sailing. “He's much more into video games or other things,” says Herman.” However, one of the coolest things that's come out of it is really how he's openly told me multiple times that he’s proud I'm doing this for other kids like him. It’s not often that a16 year-old boy is telling his dad that he's proud of him. So it's kind of a cool moment, even if he’d rather be playing video games!”