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Dear Capitol Boat Club family and friends,

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While our 2025 inaugural year was great, Ron and I are eager and excited for the 2026 boating season! I would like to share some of the highlights of Capitol Boat Club’s ongoing commitment to community connections.

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In 2025, we launched the Junior Mariner’s program in partnership with Madison non-profit, Thursday’s Child. Since 1984, this amazing organization has been granting wishes to medically fragile children. Together, Thursday’s Child provided gift cards used for food and ice cream during the union stop, and we donated three-to-four-hour boats rides. Weather permitting, this would often include an ice cream stop, swimming in Three-foot Bay, and taking a lake tour.

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The children are a direct referral from the social worker staff with AmFam Children’s Hospital oncology unit. Ron and I kept the intent of the program simple: Provide everyone with a break from the challenges of the child’s illness. Just a few hours together as a family enjoying the benefits of being on Lake Mendota and having fun together. We were surprised to learn that many of our program participants had never been on a boat! We were grateful for the opportunity to provide this experience that served six children with their family and friends in 2025! And we look forward to welcoming aboard more children and families this year.   

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Capitol Boat Club provided a donation in support of the efforts of the Clean Lakes Alliance. They work with the government to reduce phosphorus runoff, provide education and advocacy activities in support of the lakes’ health and water quality improvement. I encourage you to visit their website: cleanlakesalliance.org to learn more.

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This spring, we were delighted to provide silent auction donations for captained boat rides in support of two elementary school fundraisers, Elvehjem Elementary School and Mendota Elementary Community School. Money raised assists with filling funding gaps that support a variety of educational enrichment programs, school and family activities, and increasing book and classroom room supplies. As a result of this connection, we will be exploring the development of a water and boat safety awareness course for young school-age children next spring!

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Last, we are excited to announce a new program partnership with the Verona Senior Center called “The All -Aboard Boat Adventures.” Starting in July, Capitol Boat Club will provide bimonthly captained boat rides followed by a box picnic lunch at Marshall Park. With an epidemic of loneliness among many seniors, this experience will provide an opportunity to foster social connections and therapeutic wellness benefits that come with being in a boat on the water. Program registration will be provided through the Verona Senior Center and information will be available soon!         

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With gratitude,

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Sandy Cowan

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