KIDS in BOATING Initiative opens grant application

The Massachusetts Marine Trades Educational Trust announced that its initiative KIDS in BOATING has now opened up its grant application.

Recognizing the need to get more kids on the water and enjoying the boating lifestyle the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association and the Massachusetts Marine Trades Educational Trust have created the KIDS in BOATING Initiative. The focus of this initiative is to help support nonprofit youth boating programs already in place in Massachusetts. The goal will be to challenge these groups to get more new kids on the water in a safe and smart manner.

The association has created a committee of board members, staff and association members who share a like-minded goal of getting more kids on the water. The focus of the committee is to look at opportunities where we can support, either by a financial means or another manner various ideas/events that focus on boating avenues and opportunities for kids.

“By getting more kids involved in boating at an early age, they are more apt to continue boating when they are older,” said Randall Lyons Massachusetts Marine Trades Association executive director.

In addition, by creating an interest in the boating environment at a young age, this may lead to opening the door to more career avenues for marine related jobs in the future, Lyons said.

“In addition to an aging boating industry issue, we are also facing a shortage of marine technicians and other marine related staff members,” he said. “The two industry opportunities go hand in hand in an effort to assist with the sustainability of the boating industry for many generations to come.”

The KIDS in BOATING grant program is designed to financially support nonprofit youth programs in the state of Massachusetts. A preference will be given to Massachusetts Marine Trades Association members and organizations with creative new ideas to get more kids on the water. Grants will be awarded in amounts ranging from $500 to $1,500.

MMTA thanks its initial KIDS in BOATING sponsors 3A Marine, Robalo Boats, MyTaskit and Newburyport Marinas.

For more information on KIDS in BOATING including ways to help sponsor the initiative or to apply for a grant, visit the MMTA website.

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