Thanks to our successful partnership with the Town of Jamestown for the past twelve years, CISF provides safe, fun, and hands-on coastal education programs and boating to the Jamestown community and beyond. Building on this great partnership, CISF is thrilled to announce our plans for a permanent future at Fort Getty. This marks a significant step forward in the organization’s mission to provide inspiring and engaging outdoor educational programs for the community.

The decision to embark on this project stems from CISF’s commitment to expand our impact and to meet the needs of both the community and the organization as programming continues to grow. The current state of operations is limiting at all levels and consumes valuable time that could be spent in support of the community. Meg Myles, CISF’s Executive Director, said, “We are excited by the opportunity to create a year-round, space for our operations and for the community. We have taken a hard look at what we need operationally and are moving forward with plans that will enable CISF staff to support the Jamestown community even more.” The organization envisions meaningful improvements in day-to-day work efficiency, including streamlined storage, enhanced program delivery, and a sharper focus on teaching and participant needs.

Board Chair, Hannah Swett, said, “Fort Getty is an amazing asset to the community! We look forward to continuing to be good stewards of the park and to take this step to securing our future operations.”

Key Objectives of CISF’s year-round “campus”

1. Running Water and Light: Currently, CISF operates without running water and light for five months of the year. Addressing these basics is critical to the committed CISF staff’s ability to offer year-round programming
2. Sustainability: Enhance efficiency in equipment storage, program delivery, and overall organizational operations.
3. Community Impact: Provide continuity of space for the community, making CISF’s programs accessible and impactful throughout the year.

While there is still much to be done and steps taken to finalize the plans, CISF is excited to continue to engage in this process with our partner, The Town of Jamestown. Please stay connected with CISF to learn more as the project unfolds.

About CISF: CISF is a youth-centric 501(c)(3) public charity nonprofit. CISF was started in 2000 by Bradford N Swett. Brad’s daughter, Hannah, an accomplished sailor and resident of Jamestown, took over as President when Brad passed away. CISF’s mission is to inspire and engage people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities with the marine environment through boating & education. With a focus on hands-on learning experiences, CISF has been positively impacting the lives of youth for years. CISF runs afterschool, homeschool, and vacation day programs, a popular boating and marine education camp in the summer, and pays for an educator in the Jamestown schools to support teachers and students with hands-on projects relevant to CISF’s mission and educational curriculum. CISF is deeply committed to supporting the Jamestown Community and beyond.

To receive news from CISF, please click here.
For media inquiries, please contact: Meg Myles, CISF Executive Director, 401-855-6643.

Read The Jamestown Press’s January 25, 2024 article by clicking here.