Cambridge Boat Club

This summer CBC will help the Charles River Watershed Association work on their water chestnut eradication. We all want to keep the weeds from coming over the dam and taking over the lower river.  After training, we’ll be out in canoes gently pulling up the weeds – definitely an old clothes activity.  If you’re interested in helping, email Maura Conron This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Linda McLane This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . More info coming shortly for a CBC outing.

You can also help on your own as CRWA has now posted their public volunteer dates for:

Saturday, July 14th from 12pm – 4pm
Thursday, July 19th from 5pm – 7:30pm
Saturday, July 28th from 10am – 1pm

HUNGRY?? So are 1300 Cantabrigians! Please help feed our neighbors by remembering a food pantry donation for your next trip to the boathouse. You can see photos of a recent contribution here: http://tinyurl.com/food-pantry-photos

The donation box is in the kitchen. The Cambridge Food Pantry has asked for low sugar breakfast cereal but will also accept all non-perishables as well as pet food!! We have donated more than 175 boxes of cereal since the beginning of the year -- a nice start. Let's bring breakfast to the club!!!

This is a year-long project of the Community Outreach Committee to be a good neighbor in Cambridge. Please contribute as often as you can. Email Janet Solomon This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you can help with the bi-weekly deliveries to the Pantry in Central Square.

On June 14, 2012, about 30 seniors from the Cambridge Senior Center came for their annual visit to the club, to enjoy the porch, the river, and a delicious brunch. This year Renata von Tscharner, CBC member and President of Charles River Conservancy, spoke about the bridge upgrade project. This was the eleventh year that we have hosted these seniors. If you can help us host these engaged seniors next year, email Janet Solomon This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .)

On Saturday afternoon June 2, 2012, middle and high school students and tutors from a mid-Cambridge after-school program, Tutoring Plus, visted the club to learn about rowing. There was a barge at the dock from time to time and ergs were out for instruction and racing. If you'd like to volunteer next year to share your love of rowing with these eager students, please email Peggy Gelin This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Chantal Eide This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 In April 2012, CBC fielded 30 talented pairs of hands in the 13th annual Earth Day riverbank cleanup. CBC vied with more than 3,000 volunteers from 140 organizations up and down the river in an effort to return the riverbank to a more natural state. CBC was of course victorious, and the boathouse now sits on the cleanest section of the river.

If you are interested in becoming part of this elite trash squad next year, contact Paul Hoffman This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

2012 CBC Earth Day trash squad
Anne Marie Smith - Abigail Zeamer - Andy McLane - Anne Biernacki - Ben Zeamer - Bill Cummings - Brian Saper - Deb Dufty - Elisabeth Hopkins - Ellen Parker - Everett Briggs - Geoffrey Zeamer - Greg Walker - Henriette Power - James Beck - Jane Morse - Janet Solomon - Joelle Cabot - Kay Merseth - Ken Dupuis - Ken Smith - Linda McLane - Loryn Sheffner - Maura Conron - Max Dupuis - Molly Upton - Paul Hoffman - Peter Sturges - Peter Tyson - Vicky Zeamer - Yesim Taskor

To celebrate the close connection of the two rowing organizations, this summer CBC will host parents of the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School's rowing program at a Shandygaff. More info to come, from Joan Campbell, Chantal Eide and Lisa.

In August 2011, CBC hosted 20 girls aged 14-18 as part of the Cambridge Mayor's Program. Girls Take Action is a Cambridge Mayor’s Program after summer school program for girls aged 14-18 who are encouraged to explore their potential as leaders and young professionals, getting exposure to alternative sport and fitness activities, civic engagements, and issues such as sexual health and workplace skill building. CBC worked with CRLS and CRI to put on a great day in August for this set of potential community leaders. Look for this event in summer 2012. Contact Chantal Eide or Jane Morse.

Last spring, a vibrant set of local eighth graders from King/Amigos got their first taste of the life-long pursuit of rowing. This was the fourth year that CBC has hosted area students. Several students from previous visits have been inspired to row in high school. The kids spent time learning rowing form on the erg, then moved to barges for a row along the Charles River. The visit was topped off by a delicious lunch. Look for this event again in the spring of 2013. Contact Joan Campbell.