RBC Youth Sailing

sail@rbcys.org – Jeni grew up in the summers on her family’s sailboat in Camden harbor before they moved to Curtis Island as the Lighthouse keepers for over 45 years. Sailing the coast of Maine and living on Curtis Island with her family instilled the passion for sailing and exploring the Maine Islands.

Jeni is a mom to 3 wonderful children, a resident of Maine and a committed teacher. Her professional life has held the common thread of working with kids in the outdoors. 

“Growing up on a Maine Island and taking care of the Curtis Island Lighthouse and the grounds has instilled the passion for caring for these fragile Maine Islands. My career and philosophy have centered around taking care of the environment and educating children to be good stewards of our planet. I take pride in my ocean-based educational program and am committed to teaching about the fragility of these Maine islands through leave no trace and marine ecology. We camp on these islands, cleaning the shores of marine debris and being self-sufficient with our food and shelter. With Ocean Explorers Maine  I have led an average of 8 island clean ups per summer for the last 14 years.

My professional outdoor work has been varied and includes teaching sailing, leading Outward Bound courses, owning and managing a nature-based preschool as well as a coach at a few astute alpine ski racing facilities, (Telluride, Crested Butte, Vail and Carrabassett Valley Academy). I was the director and coach for the Camden Snow Bowl ski racing program for years. I also have coached ski racing camps in Montana, Colorado, Chile, and Mt. Hood. Currently the director of the Telluride Mountain Program, I manage 22 coaches and 170 athletes, along with the safety, hill space and continuing education for all the coaches, I also coach a group of dedicated ski racers.  I have worked with the ski racing business for 35 years and it has served as a cornerstone of my career and who I am.

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Additionally I am a licensed Merchant Mariner, trained in Wilderness First Responder, and hold a current CPR/First Aid Certificates. I have sailed transatlantic, throughout the Scandinavian countries, through the Mediterranean Sea and into the Caribbean, and up the Eastern coast of the US.

I love being a part of a community and bringing people together whether it is as founder of my own CompassRose preschool, Ocean Explorer program, and as a coach. I feel strongly that working with kids in a safe environment is the key to a healthy future.  I am excited to be part of the Rockport Boat Club, its members and community, working with aspiring instructors, teaching children locally and getting to work and sail in Rockport Harbor all summer!”

lynn.rutter321@gmail.com – Lynn Rutter looks forward to teaching the Growing Sailors program, rich in local marine science and nautical fun, again this summer.   

She currently runs Roots n Shoots, a nature-based after school program out of her home in Rockport.  You may see her working in her gardens with children as bunnies, Maisie and Willa graze close by.

Lynn has Masters Degrees in Child Development and Environmental Education.  She operated a nature-based preschool in Portland and has taught children of many ages in elementary schools and environmental centers.  As a program coordinator at UNH for the Regional Association for Research in the Gulf of Maine RARGOM and COMPASS Lynn organized events for scientists to share and communicate their work.  

Lynn is the coordinator of the Stewardship Education Alliance S.E.A. working closely with local environmental centers and middle teachers to create meaningful projects for students. 

Engaging in local community environmental initiatives is very important to Lynn.  

She serves as the president of the Midcoast Maine Chapter of Wild Ones, and is a board member for the Rockport Conservation Commission. She served as board president for UMaine Cumberland County Cooperative Extension and a P.T.A in Hawaii.  

She enjoys time on the land and sea: sailing, kayaking and paddleboarding, and hiking.  

Lynn is looking forward to spending time with children to build enthusiasm for the ocean and natural resources that exist in Rockport. 

sail@rbcys.org Rockport Boat Club member since 2015. Have held Board positions of Hospitality Chair, House Chair, Fleet Captain, Harbor Captain, Vice Commodore and held the President role of Commodore from 2020-2024.

Currently directing the youth sailing information outreach, portal registration development, rbcys.org design & creative, YS administration, crew support, and logistics handler.

Have sailed and worked many windjammer seasons in galleys aboard Schooners Bowditch, Timberwind , and Ketch Angelique throughout Penobscot Bay. Cruised San Francisco to Ketchikan, Alaska through the inside passage. Sailed as crew on Privateer Lynx on the reality TV show, “For Love or For Money” out of Marina Del Ray, CA. Sailed from Camden, Maine throughout the Caribbean onto Trans Atlantic to Palma as crew aboard SV Thalia, 180ft Ron Holland ketch. Commercial Lobsterwoman on Criehaven and currently on LaSalle.

I am on board to contribute to the outstanding youth sailing experience that has existed for over 52 years, to continue to keep this the safest, most organized sailing program that offers education along with fun summer camp maritime experiences.