named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Cabin at Lake Sebago
Overnight facility in Harriman State Park available to members for recreation and paddling trips, maintained by the Cabin Committee
Floating Classrooms
On-water educational program using 29-foot canoes to teach students and community members about environmental issues on Newtown Creek, in partnership with Newtown Creek Alliance
Free Public Paddles
Regular events allowing residents and families to experience kayaking and canoeing on local waterways, often for the first time
Safety and Marine Knowledge Series
Training classes covering nautical knots, marine radio use, weather, trip planning, navigation, and rules of the road for paddlers
Winter Paddling Safety
On-land safety course required for members who wish to paddle during winter months, covering cold-weather risks and gear
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Recreational Boating and Sailing Programs 4 activities
- Free public kayaking and canoeing programsOffers free public kayaking and canoeing trips on Newtown Creek and the East River led by trained guides, introducing residents—including families and community groups—to human-powered boating. These programs are offered seasonally and include safety protocols and skill-based instruction.
- Guided paddling trips for members and groupsOrganizes guided kayak and canoe trips for members, schools, non-profits, businesses, universities, and community organizations, categorized by skill level (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced) and led by nationally certified guides. These include both on-water excursions and off-site public paddles during boathouse construction.
- Member access to boats and independent paddlingGrants trained members access to club kayaks, canoes, and paddling equipment for independent personal use through the Official Paddler program, contingent on completing 5 observed trips (one self-led) and filing float plans. Requires use of VHF marine radios and adherence to safety protocols, including winter paddling standards.
- Water-based filming and photography supportProvides a motor boat and canoe fleet to support water-based filming and photography projects, enabling media production on local waterways.
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Organized Member Social Events 1 activity
- Community and fundraising eventsHosts year-round off-site events including social gatherings, environmental art events, a book club, and fundraising activities to build community and support organizational sustainability.
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
- Environmental and nautical education programsProvides on-land and on-water environmental education about urban estuary ecology, navigation, safety, and the history and sustainability of NYC waterways, particularly Newtown Creek and the East River. Programs serve up to 30 participants per session and are delivered by trained guides using 29-foot canoes and dedicated classroom spaces like the 'Ed Shed'.
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Managed Campground and Retreat Operations 1 activity
- Operation of recreational cabin in Harriman State ParkManages a cabin at ACA Camp Lake Sebago in Harriman State Park, NY, accommodating up to 8 people overnight, with outdoor amenities including a picnic table, fire-pit, gas BBQ, and access to a lifeguarded swimming dock and communal event space. The organization oversees reservations, training sessions, and events at the site.
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Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
- Volunteer engagement in boathouse operationsEngages volunteers in all aspects of operations, including vessel and facility maintenance, cleaning, event support, administrative tasks, and program delivery. The organization operates as an all-volunteer entity, relying on volunteer labor to sustain programming and infrastructure.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$31K
Contributions & grants$5K16%
Program service revenue$3K10%
Investment income$20%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$23K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$119K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$119K
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +35.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 5
- JEFFREY CSICSEK — DIRECTOR
- JULIE D'APRILE — DIRECTOR
- NICK LEGOWSKI — DIRECTOR
- REBECCA PRYOR — DIRECTOR
- ROB BUCHANAN — DIRECTOR
relationships · 19
Who they work with
- American Canoe Association Partner — Collaborates with ACA through ACA-trained trip leaders and access to ACA Camp Lake Sebago.
- American Canoe Association Partner — Collaborates with the American Canoe Association to provide member access to Camp Lake Sebago in Harriman State Park.
- American Canoe Association Partner — Recognizes ACA certification for canoe and kayak use by members.
- American Sailing Association Partner — Recognizes ASA Basic Keelboat Sailing 101 certification for sailboat use by members.
- Broadway Stages Partner — Provided access to land in Greenpoint on Newtown Creek for the boathouse operations and facility construction.
- Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund Government — Provides financial support for the Floating Classrooms program.
- Harriman State Park Partner — Hosts the Sebago cabin used for NBCB training and events.
- New York State DEC Government — Provided grant funding through the Newtown Creek Environmental Fund to support the construction of the community boathouse.
- Newtown Creek Alliance Partner — Collaborates on delivering Floating Classrooms program focused on environmental issues in Newtown Creek.
- Newtown Creek Environmental Fund Funder — Funded the construction of the multi-level community boathouse through a grant to NBCB.
- Paddle UK Partner — Recognizes Paddle UK (formerly British Canoeing) level 2 skills assessment for canoe and kayak use by members.
- Queens Landing Partner — Location where kayak programming and boathouse operations are conducted.
- Queens Landing Boathouse and Environmental Center Partner — Hosts kayak trips for North Brooklyn Community Boathouse.
- Safety Committee Partner — Committee responsible for revising winter paddling safety protocols
- US Sailing Partner — Recognizes US Sailing Basic Keelboat certification for sailboat use by members.
- community groups Partner — Engages community groups through inclusive paddling events.
- local institutions Partner — Partners with local institutions to engage communities in paddling programs.
- non-profits Partner — Collaborates with non-profits to provide access to on-water activities.
- school Partner — Works with schools to introduce students to on-water canoe and kayak trips.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Environmental Education Through Recreationmethodology: experiential-environmental-educationBy integrating environmental education into recreational paddling activities, the organization fosters community stewardship of local waterways because direct, experiential engagement increases personal investment in ecological preservation and public access.
- Progressive Skill Development and Member Leadership Pathwaymethodology: paddler_progression_pathwayBy providing structured training and clear progression pathways from participant to trip leader, the organization builds a self-sustaining community of skilled paddlers because incremental responsibility fosters ownership, safety culture, and long-term engagement.
- Sliding-Scale Accessibility to Reduce Financial Barriersmethodology: sliding-scale_accessBy using a sliding-scale membership model, the organization ensures broader community access to paddling and environmental programming because reducing financial barriers increases participation diversity and inclusion, particularly in underserved urban populations.