Dan's Papers - June 15, 2007 - Riding The Waves for a Good Cause

Four years ago, the Art Farm became the first camp in the Hamptons to venture out in the water and created a branch of their camp called The Art Farm Riders, offering a water sports program for hard-core water lovers from ages 8-14. Kids sign up for an all-day water sports clinic and learn to surf in the ocean and also wakeboard, water ski and wake surf in the bays of Sag Harbor. Other campers choose to combine a half-day at camp with a half-day of water sports, enjoying pony camp, soccer, art and a variety of electives of their choice.

One of the primary goals of the Riders water sports program is for the kids to learn the skills to feel more confident in the ocean so they will grow up to be knowledgeable about and safe in the water. The Art Farm offers a safe, fun and engaging surfing experience and parents can be assured that their kids will learn the correct methods of using a surfboard and body board. The Riders Program is a great way for kids to learn about the ocean. Every time they meet, the kids stretch as a group, assess and discuss the ocean conditions, practice the skills needed to surf on the beach, select a board and surf.

Jeremy Grosvenor has been teaching surfing at the Art Farm for the past three years. His mantra for teaching surfing is "safety and fun." Jeremy has spent most of his life surfing in Montauk, paddle boarding in Hawaii, outrigger canoeing in NYC and stand up paddling in Sagaponack. Recently, Jeremy has been combining his passion for the ocean with fundraising events. Last year he helped raise money for the Miracle house in NYC by paddle boarding from Montauk to Block Island. This year he will be participating in various fundraising activities for Miracle House, Autism and the Martha's Vineyard community.

This year, The Art Farm Riders are going international and are traveling to Nosara Beach, Costa Rica for ten days of surfing. The trip is designed for beginners as well as experienced surfers from ages 13 to 18. Nosara Beach is the most amazing surf destination to learn or improve an already excellent ride. Additionally the kids will learn Spanish, practice yoga and experience the amazing canopy tour/zip lines, where kids can feel like Tarzan and Jane in the jungle.

The Art Farm has an ongoing commitment to contribute to communities around the world. Mari's Children is a not-for-profit organization founded by Mari Linnman, the owner of The Art Farm. The children at The Art Farm learn about the importance of giving back through their participation in fundraising for children in need. Each summer we educate our campers about the projects we are sponsoring for Mari's Children and keep them informed of our progress. Our current projects are in Costa Rica, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Africa.

In 2005, Mari visited Nosara Beach, Costa Rica and she promised to give every child in the local schools their own soccer ball. Over the summer of 2006, we collected soccer balls during camp. Over Thanksgiving a year later, Mari and her son packed four suitcases filled with soccer balls and fulfilled her promise to the children of Nosara Beach. The children are currently working with an athletic trainer who teaches them to develop soccer skills, learn teamwork and sportsmanship as well as giving them a positive alternative to hanging out in the streets, where drugs are often a threat.

For this trip to Costa Rica The Art Farm will donate $250 for each camper to an organization that saves monkeys, baby monkeys especially. Because there is so much development going on in Costa Rica, large numbers of electrical poles are being installed. The monkeys can't tell the difference between a tree and an electrical pole so they often get electrocuted. The Save the Monkeys group has found that the most effective way to save the lives of the monkeys in the Nosara Beach area is to insulate the electrical poles.

To find out more about The Art Farm Riders or Mari's Children call 537-1634 or visit their website, http://theartfarms.org