Our Story
Serving the San Francisco Bay since 1994
We are a long established non-profit based in Berkeley, CA with the mission of exposing youth to the wonders of the marine wilderness that is our backyard.
Our Mission & Values
Founded in 1994, the Pegasus Project has taken approximately 20,000 kids out sailing aboard our flagship vessel ‘Pegasus’ over the years, with an emphasis on providing this experience to under served youth. We are a volunteer based organization and believe passionately in our mission, some of our volunteers having been with us continuously for nearly 30 years. We have never charged for our service and never will. Our boat is a ketch rigged, heavy displacement, ocean going sailboat with the capacity for 15 guests, plus our crew. We place heavy emphasis on safety; we have never had an injury aboard or a parent complaint in all of our years of operation. Our goal is to offer not just a boat ride, but rather a singular, marine educational experience for our guests.
A Focus on Kids.
The Pegasus Project has taken thousands of kids out on the Bay for marine environment education aboard Pegasus.
How Are We Funded?
The Pegasus Project is funded by foundation grants, in-kind contributions, and private donations.
Tax Options for Contributors
Contributions are tax deductible.
From 1994 through 2004, the Pegasus Project was operated by the Nautilus Institute. In 2006, Pegasus Voyages was established to continue the Pegasus Project, with its partners. These include the Shorebird Nature Center, Berkeley Boosters, City of Berkeley, Berkeley YMCA, and Berkeley Yacht Club.
Our mission is to enable youth to become productive members of a sustainable society through positive outdoor environmental education and by reinforcing life skills. Our objectives are:
To conduct Lifeskills Voyages for youth at-risk. Through the encouragement of a mentoring relationship between adult and youth crew members and learning to operate the Pegasus, Lifeskills voyages build confidence, focus on teamwork, and empower youth, peer group, and family to become active members of a sustainable community.
To conduct Discovery Voyages to provide students (and adult crew) with a basic environmental understanding and appreciation of the San Francisco Bay, especially the marine environment, including teaching social studies and science curriculum to state-mandated standards
To provide a multi-year track for underprivileged youth that will enable them to experience their backyard bay through on-the-water activities.
To work with partners to develop scholarship options, integrated and multi-level programs, special-needs training and voyages, and in-depth and multi-year programs.
To support veterans and families reintegration with community.
From 1994 through 2004, the Pegasus Project was operated by the Nautilus Institute. In 2006, Pegasus Voyages was established to continue the Pegasus Project, with its partners. These include the Shorebird Nature Center, Berkeley Boosters, City of Berkeley, Berkeley YMCA, and Berkeley Yacht Club.
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Although I was nervous at the beginning, by the end I felt happy and free. I also had the opportunity to steer the boat. The wheel was kind of heavy and hard to turn, but I still found it peaceful and calming. Being in control of the boat made me feel very safe. – Jasper, Oxford Elementary