I am also interested in hearing responses to this request since I am
hoping to start a program in Columbia, SC.

As for my 2 cents worth, here are some things to consider:
1. Where will they row?
2. When will they row, fall or spring or both?
3. What equipment will they use?
4. Who will coach the participants?
5. How will you pay for the program, through fees, fund raising,
grants, or a combination of the above?
6. Will the program be part of the high school athletic program or
independent of it?
7. A "steering committee" will be needed to take care of the myriad
of details that will have to be considered, and as always, the devil
is in the details.

Is there a rowing club in the area who would be willing to have your
junior program as part of their program? If so, that would be a
tremendous help. If not, you will have to find a place to row,
somewhere to store your boats and other equipment, not to mention
starting from scratch to assemble all the required equipment.

An important factor in potentially working with an existing club, is
that they will have set up safety and administrative policies that you
will otherwise have to establish yourself. Moreover, the club may be
a source of coaching, either employing the club coach (if she/he
exists) a part-time high school coach or having a member of the club
serve as the high school coach.

Identify potential other participants and start working with the
parents to form a "steering committee" to help get things going. You
will need to examine the guidelines or "rules and regulations" of
other junior programs to identify areas that need definition.

Talk with the high school athletic director and determine how
supportive the high school would be. Would it be a part of the high
school athletic program, an adjunct program, or a totally separate
program. The answer to that question will help define some of your
assets and constraints. Even if it is not part of the athletic
program, you may be able to work out an arrangement so that rowers can
earn a high school athletic letter by participating.

I hope this will help get the discussion going.

George Park
Columbia, SC

--- In youthrowing@yahoogroups.com, "mr_chuck_lynch" <c.lynch@...> wrote:
>
> How do I go about building a high school program from scratch? I have
> two daughters entering our town high school, Westford Academy, in
> Massachusetts over the next few years and they would like to compete at
> that level. I'm assuming I'll need to get sponsorship, conduct
> fundraising, and build awareness. Where do I start? Has anyone gone
> through this process recently?
>
> Thanks in advance for any information.
>
> Chuck
>