What services does CISF provide to the Town of Jamestown?

CISF provides the Jamestown schools with an in-school science educator fully paid for and employed by CISF. This CISF program director has taught Kindergarten science for more than 3 years; supports 21st Century learning projects in Melrose School; supports 7/8th grade science; leads outdoor teaching Professional Development for teachers (2nd or 3rd year this fall); and more.

In addition, the list below are programs CISF offers to Jamestowners

• 4th grade free sailing
• Free Sailing for 6 weeks in the summer
• Below market cost keelboat lessons (summer), afterschool programs (k-8), homeschool programs. 
• Bay Day – free event open to public with sailing, kayaking, marsh exploration and more.
• Scholarships & financial aid for CISF programs
• Private lessons upon request
• Boat rentals as staff are available (low cost: $50/hour/boat)
• Field trips for Jamestown Schools and others (Jamestown prioritized)
• Sailing for 8th graders at 8th grade beach day (free)
  

Does CISF offer scholarships or financial aid for its camps and other fee-based programs? If so, how much?

Yes, more than 200 scholarships are now awarded annually for camp, homeschool programs, afterschool programs, vacation days, and other programs in 2024.

What percentage of kids in the programs come from JTN?

Virtually all of our summer campers are Jamestowners or connected to the Island in some way:  either year-round residents, summer residents or renters including RV park renters, or relatives of residents.   

Our home-school programs and outreach programs also serve kids from elsewhere around the state, and make up around 20-25% of the school age children served by CISF.

Does CISF offer adult programming?

Yes, CISF offers keelboat sailing lessons in the summer. The new facility will enable us to expand adult opportunities using CISF staff as well as volunteers and marine experts from within and Jamestown.

What exactly is being built for the new permanent campus?

The campus is in the same location at the end of Fort Getty, and in place of CISF office and storage trailers and tents, there will be two buildings. The envisioned campus will provide safe, year-round facilities for youth, staff and the community.

Classroom & Office Building: Wet lab, classrooms, youth cubbies, offices, bathrooms.

Experiential Education Space: Defined activity area, tent, community gathering space. This space provides room for growth, anticipating expected increase in demand for programming.

Workshop & Storage: Gear racks and storage for boats and program supplies, work benches for projects and programs.

How will traffic patterns change when the campus is completed?

We hope the campus will help ease traffic into and out of Fort Getty when the facility is complete, as programming will be expanded over more months and timeframes, and not as concentrated.

Can the CISF campus be borrowed or rented for other uses?

Only with town approval, and only for mission-related uses. We hope others will use the facility occasionally for workshops and other programming, furthering exposure to and appreciation of Narragansett Bay.

Does CISF have plans to expand beyond the campus now under construction?

The CISF campus is being built within its current footprint on Fort Getty, and we have no current plans nor financing to grow beyond that.  We believe the two buildings being constructed will allow us to serve more Jamestown kids and adults for more of the year, with no taxpayer dollars.

How will the CISF campus affect the RV campground and other users of Fort Getty?

There are many residents and visitors to Fort Getty Park throughout the year, from boaters to dog walkers to those who camp in the summer. Beyond expanded programming offerings, nothing will change.  CISF has been in operation on Fort Getty for more than a decade, and has always worked collaboratively with the Town about our use of the park. CISF has always sought to be aware of and attentive to other users of the park, and staff are trained to understand and appreciate all that Fort Getty has to offer.

Does CISF lease or own its land?

All of Fort Getty is owned by the Town of Jamestown.  CISF has a 30-year lease and provides Jamestown residents free sailing education, in-school science education, and other free programming in lieu of rent.  This arrangement is similar to what Sail Newport has in Newport, and to those of other sailing schools in other states. CISF has made (and continues to) significant investment in infrastructure and capital to offer programs to meet the needs of our community.

Still have questions? Email Executive Director Meg Myles

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