Massachusetts opens grant program for youth boating

The Massachusetts Marine Trades Educational Trust has opened the grant application process for its Kids in Boating initiative for the second year.

Recognizing the need to get more kids on the water enjoying the boating lifestyle, the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association and the MMTET created the Kids in Boating initiative in 2017.

The focus is to help support nonprofit youth boating programs. In 2017, the Kids in Boating initiative awarded 11 grants ranging from $500 to $1,500 each and totaling approximately $11,000.

This year the grant application cycle runs from March 15 through June 30, with funds distributed in July.

In addition, creating an interest in boating at a young age may open the door to more career avenues for marine-related jobs in the future, another key initiative for our association and industry, Lyons said.

“Recognizing the fact that the boating industry is aging, the more we can do today to get more young people involved in recreational boating, the better off our industry will be tomorrow,” said Randall Lyons, MMTA executive director and founder of the initiative, in a statement.

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 MMTA members and organizations with creative ideas to get more kids on the water.

The group is also encouraging applicants to participate in events during the Massachusetts Kids Boating Day June 2-10.