‍Junior Mariner’s Program 2026

In 2025, Capitol Boat Club announced a community partnership with Thursday’s Child, a local Madison all volunteer organization who make wishes come true for seriously ill children.  In 2024, Executive Director, Noel Ferguson noted Thursday’s Child began 40 years ago with the goal to bring joy to children suffering a health crisis. She said, “At the time, there were no wish-granting organizations interested in serving southwest and south-central Wisconsin, but there were children, and their families, who needed something to look forward to other than constant medical worries”.

‍ ‍

Since 1984, Thursday’s Child has granted thousands of wishes for children facing difficult illnesses and their families. For Capitol Boat Club Owners, Ron and Sandy Cowan, providing a medically fragile child respite from the challenges of their illness was something they could help with. Sandy said, “As a mother and nurse, play is important for a child. Being out on the boat in the water provide children a chance to be curious, explore, and have fun just being a kid with their family”. We receive direct family referrals provided by the oncology unit social workers at American Family Children’s Hospital. Last year, we were able to serve six children with their family and friends.

‍ ‍

This year, Capitol Boat Club will provide our first Thursday’s Child family with a chartered boat ride early June. Additional rides will continue through the boating season. We have a generous program sponsor; however, we would love to get more kids in the boats on the water. Please contact Sandy Cowan regarding how you can support these very special kids and their families.

‍ ‍

Last, Thursday’s Child does a whole lot more than grant wishes for their children. To learn more about how they support families with medically fragile children please visit the website at https://thursdaychildwisconsin.org

‍ ‍