On a stunning October afternoon, six members of Teens Take On Climate had a unique opportunity to sail with the Chicago Yacht Club Foundation on Lake Michigan. It was a perfect day for sailing as the lake reflected the brilliant deep blue of a cloudless autumn sky.

The foundation extended the invitation in honor of our founder Gary Comer who developed a lifelong passion for Lake Michigan while growing up on Chicago's South Side. Upon learning to sail as a teenager in a Chicago Park District program hosted by the Jackson Park Yacht Club, Comer became a standout competitor in the Star Class, winning the North American Star Class Championship in 1959 and a bronze medal in the Pan American Games.

The Chicago Yacht Club Foundation aims to spark curiosity in Chicago's young people through on-the-water sailing and boating programs, grants & scholarships, STEAM education, and support services. Teens Take On Climate supports youth to advance climate justice through experiential learning, employment, and engagement in their communities. Teens participate in activities and field trips to learn about climate and make connections to their personal and collective futures. By connecting with nature teens explore how climate impacts their lives. The teens reflected on the chance to see their city from a lakefront perspective.

"My favorite moment on Lake Michigan was steering the sailboats. Also going to sleep, it got my energy back up. Just feeling the water, feeling the flow. It was just very peaceful. My thoughts on Lake Michigan — always very positive things about Lake Michigan, no negative things and I wish to do it again. I feel like it opens [your] mind up to more opportunities and more things in life."

—Casey Lee

"Since it was my first time being on Lake Michigan, I kind of felt like nervous because we was on a big boat that time so it was like big waves and stuff like that so it was ... kind of nerve-wracking. I could actually see myself doing this again now that I've experienced driving a boat and touring Lake Michigan,"

—Keandre Richardson

"It definitely changed my perspective and understand like the beauty when it comes to the water and how the buildings look from the water. What would I tell a friend? Mainly just enjoy the different environments. Also enjoy the different opportunity because maybe one day you'll be able to sail a boat, so just take up the incredible opportunities."

—Anaya Smith

"I learned that when we were facing towards the wind, it seemed like [we’re] going slower but [we’re] really going the same speed. Its just going against the wind. He was just telling us to look at the water and stuff like that to see how fast we were going."

—Not sure who this was ZOOM0006