Fall News from Chicago Community Sculling

Chicago Community Sculling

Fall 2026 Newsletter

It’s hard to believe that our 2026 water season is almost complete. It was a whirlwind season, and we have been extremely busy working with our young rowers, supporting them in new experiences, pursuing exciting grant opportunities, establishing meaningful new partnerships, and setting ambitious goals for 2027. We’d like to sincerely thank our board, coaches, volunteers, and wider community for their unwavering support as we continue to serve our young rowers with transformative, life-changing experiences.

Grant Goodness

In our last newsletter we celebrated a grant from US Rowing, which will help us in our coaching search. This month we are pleased to announce the receipt of a $5,000 grant from The Springboard Foundation Fund. The foundation focuses on afterschool and supplemental educational programming and has helped numerous organizations expand and become self-sustaining, enabling them to continue offering Chicago public school students the educational and out-of-school activities that are so important for personal growth and long-term success. We are deeply grateful for their support and excited about the journey ahead with the Springboard Foundation. Below are a few photos from our recent site visit.

Craftsbury Opportunity

Thanks to the support of our friends at North Channel Community Rowing, two of our young rowers were able to attend sculling camp at the world-known Craftsbury Center. We are so grateful for NCCR’s support through this wonderful opportunity for our kids. BIG shout out to Michael Wyman!

The camp was famously founded in 1976 by Morrow Tewksbury and his family, alongside rowers like Arthur Martin. Today, it operates as part of the non-profit Craftsbury Outdoor Center and is celebrating 50 years as North America’s very first and most definitive rowing camp.

The programs take place on Great Hosmer Pond, a pristine, flat-water lake ideal for sculling. The training includes multiple daily on-water sessions, professional dock demonstrations, rigging workshops, and individualized video review sessions with elite coaches. The experience is run as an all-inclusive camp with the participants staying in dorm-style lodging and enjoying locally sourced, hearty meals served community-style. Campers can also take advantage of yoga sessions, core strengthening, mountain biking, or visit the nearby Concept2 rowing manufacturing headquarters.

Our kids had a life changing experience!

Level One Coaching Celebrations

Congratulations to our Executive Director, Colleen D. Egan and Board Member, Sam Whelan on completing their Level One Coaching Certificates with US Rowing. Sam had been training our young rowers on the ergs and moved to the water this season. Colleen looks forward to assisting this Winter and preparing for the 2027 water season!

Wins, Partnerships & Other News

This Summer, Chicago Community Sculling partnered with Foss Swim School and Outdoor Afro to support our young rowers with swimming lessons.

We had nine students supported through an eleven week training program that just wrapped. Swimming is a life-saving and nature-embracing skill. Outdoor Afro created Making Waves in 2019 because research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consistently showed that Black children ages 10 to 14 drown in swimming pools at a rate more than 8 times that of white peers, and 63% of Black adults have never had swim lessons. CSS is so grateful for their support and our new partnership

FISA World Rowing Masters Regatta

Congratulations to our Founder and Board President, Fran Tuite for her exceptional rowing at the World Rowing Masters Regatta.

Every September, the World Rowing Masters Regatta brings together thousands of rowers who share one thing in common—a lifelong passion for the sport. In 2026, that journey led to one of rowing’s most iconic destinations-Bled, Slovenia.

There are few places where sport and scenery come together as perfectly as they do in Bled. Surrounded by the Julian Alps, the emerald-green lake is home to the famous island church, a medieval castle overlooking the water and a rowing course that has earned an outstanding reputation worldwide. GREAT JOB Fran!

We’re Hiring

Donate to CCS

Our big plans are only possible because of the generosity of our donors, who know what an impact rowing can make on the lives of young people. Please consider helping us fund coaching, equipment, transportation, race fees, and additional training opportunities through a tax deductible donation.

DONATE ONLINE

Checks can also be made payable to Chicago Community Sculling, Inc. and mailed to:

Chicago Community Sculling, Inc.

237 W. Menomonee

Chicago, IL 60614