About MYCEF

Our Mission

MYCEF funds and operates Middle Keys Sailing and its Sailing Into STEM initiative: safe sailing instruction with education in marine life, marine ecology and introduction to related STEM careers. MYCEF seeks to produce civically-minded future leaders who are environmentally conscious and interested in marine conservation. Sailing students participate in coastal clean-up and study shorebirds and underwater life. MYCEF specifically engages at-risk youth to participate. MYCEF partners with Hammock House and Curry Hammock State Park based on our shared interest in funding educational opportunity for all local youth. We provide professional instructors and maintain all equipment, and we provide program scholarships to ensure that all Middle Keys youth can participate, regardless of ability to pay. MYCEF also awards scholarships to local high school seniors and adults who pursue further education and careers in marine professions.

MYC Educational Foundation

MYCEF is committed to enhancing marine-related education in the heart of the Florida Keys. We do this three ways. Middle Keys Sailing, our community boating program, is open to all youth in the Middle Keys at affordable rates (and free to children of families who are financially struggling), and also offers adult sailing classes. We also offer marine-related scholarships for teens and adults. And our newest offering, NauticEd, provides online sailing education for all ages. Through NauticEd, we follow the American National Standards for Sailing Training and Assessment.

Middle Keys Sailing Courses & Events

We believe in confidence and competence in both theory knowledge and practical skills. Our youth and adult sailing courses are taught by US Sailing-Certified Instructors. We teach ways to be gentle on the environment that surrounds our island home, incorporating fun marine science components into all our classes If you’re a student, start with one of our youth sailing courses throughout the summer. If you’re an adult, start with multimedia online theory classes with NauticEd’s wide selection of sailing courses, then step onboard to round off your practical training with our professional instructors.