About

Founded in 2009, PCR is the newbie on Boathouse Row. It is also the only youth development organization in Philadelphia to offer free comprehensive rowing programs that combine academic support, mentorship, team-building and wellness education. Each year hundreds of Philadelphia school children participate in their summer learn-to-row, middle school, and high school programs.

The privately funded non-profit was founded in response to the challenges facing youth in Philadelphia. It began its first year of programming in the summer of 2010. For city youth, years of under-funding had resulted in many after-school activities, including sports teams, being cut. At the same time, high school dropout rates are high, leaving many students “at risk.” The founders of PCR sought to draw on Philadelphia’s rich rowing history and the proven power of sports to improve student academic achievement. 

PCR’s vision is to create a diverse, equitable, and transformative environment for Philadelphia’s youth to define and build their future.

PCR’s students all graduate from high school and go on to areas of further learning. Some of our graduates have returned to PCR to coach the next generation of rowers. 

Collection Overview

As a young program, our “collection” dates only from 2010. Uploading our collection is a work in progress. Meanwhile, photographs can be found at  https://www.facebook.com/philadelphiacityrowing/photos