About the Mark Sorensen Youth Sailing Program at the UKSC...

The Upper Keys Sailing Club has a long history of supporting youth sailing activities. Summer camps and learn-to-sail programs have been offered throughout our history. Hank Gartner, in particular, supported youth sailing and made a bequest to the Club to support those activities. However, those funds were intermingled with club operating funds, and therefore may not have been available to support what Hank had in mind.

Mark Sorensen, son of Founder Ken Sorensen, was stricken with cancer at a relatively young age. Mark was a lifelong member and former Commodore of the Upper Keys Sailing Club. He was an accomplished sailor who believed that all youth in the community, regardless of their ability to pay, should be welcomed into the world of sailing.

Upon his passing, father Ken and family made a large donation from Mark's estate, designated to support youth sailing. It was particularly specified in the deed of gift that these monies were not to be intermingled with club operating funds. To facilitate further contributions, the Mark Sorensen Youth Sailing Program was incorporated as a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization. Donations to the Mark Sorensen Youth Sailing Program provide us greater access to better coaches, equipment/repairs to boats, awards for achievements, etc.

The MSYSP is governed by the UKSC Board of Directors and overseen by a Youth Sailing Director. Dominic Marsden is the current Youth sailing director, and received the prestigious Founder's Award in 2011 for his active support and contributions of this program.

To find out more about joining the youth sailing program, contact Dominic at 305 310 2535.

Donations are welcome! A receipt acknowledging your donation will be mailed back to you promptly. Our mailing address is:

Mark Sorensen Youth Sailing Program, Inc., P.O. Box 3154, Key Largo, FL 33037