From PERRYSBURG ROTARY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
For 21 young people with autism from northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan, a recent sailing camp on Lake Erie offered much more than time on the water. It provided an opportunity to build confidence, develop new skills, and discover that they are capable of navigating challenges they may have never thought possible.
The three-day Spectrum Sailing Camp for youths with autism was held June 9-11 at North Cape Yacht Club in LaSalle, Michigan. The camp was supported in part by a $2,500 grant from the Perrysburg Rotary Community Foundation. The funding helped cover instructor and sailboat rental expenses, allowing participants ages 10-17 to attend at no cost.
Spectrum Sailing is a 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in South Carolina. Founded in 2018 by executive director Scott Herman, Spectrum Sailing was created after he was unable to find a sailing camp that would accept his son, who is autistic. Herman learned to sail at North Cape Yacht Club, and in 2023, he approached the yacht club about hosting a camp and using the North Cape Sailing School boats. Spectrum Sailing travels to cities across the country to operate its more than 35 camps, which provide maritime education, programming, and outreach for individuals with autism.
Perrysburg Rotarian Bill Bohney, and his wife, Brandie, who are members of North Cape Yacht Club, became involved in the program. Brandie directs the Adult Learn to Sail program at the yacht club and became the club’s liaison to Spectrum Sailing.
“The program not only helps children with Autism learn to sail, but it helps them learn how to take on a challenge and succeed,” said Bill Bohney. “A big part of the experience is helping these kids build confidence and learn how to collaborate and work as a team.”
At the June camp, campers learned water safety, knots, boat parts, and basic sailing techniques before taking to Lake Erie with volunteer instructors. The camp was specifically designed to meet participants where they are, allowing each child to progress at a pace that matches their comfort level and abilities.
Brandie Bohney also leads the annual Coming About Benefit Race, a fundraising regatta supporting the organization. The 2026 event will be held July 25 and includes sailboat racing, dinner, a silent auction, dueling pianos, and line dancing. The Perrysburg Rotary Community Foundation is among the event’s sponsors.
“One of the most exciting parts of this year’s race is that some of the young sailors who participated in the June camp will actually be racing,” Brandie Bohney said. “That’s a powerful example of what happens when you give these kids an opportunity and believe in what they can accomplish.”
For the Perrysburg Rotary Community Foundation, supporting Spectrum Sailing aligns with its mission of improving lives and creating opportunities throughout the region.
“Rotary is about helping people reach their potential and strengthening our communities,” said Jack Sculfort, PRCF executive director. “Spectrum Sailing does exactly that. It uses sailing as a tool to teach life skills, build confidence, encourage teamwork, and show these young people that they can do more than they may have imagined.”
This year, the PRCF is celebrating its 40th year of impacting the community. Contributions to the foundation or grant requests can be made by visiting prcf.org. For more information, visit prcf.org or contact Jack Sculfort at 419-343-5920 or jack.sculfort@prcf.org.
