Don't wait to register!
Now’s the time for parents and families with kids to start planning their children’s summer season. No kidding! Summer sailing programs fill up quickly, starting now, so do your research and sign up soon. In this season, organizers of youth programs are busy hiring staff, assessing their safety equipment, adding new and interesting twists to their programs, and polishing up boats in anticipation of summer sessions jam-packed with fun, learning, and exploration. They’re busy and ready to answer your questions. Registration is open now for most programs.
Read on to learn what’s new at regional sailing schools and what to look for in a camp. The ads on these pages are a great place to start when seeking summertime fun for your child. For a more comprehensive school list, visit startsailingnow.com and click on “finding a sailing school.”
Frequently asked questions from parents.
If parents aren’t sailors themselves, they may have a lot of questions about what their children will do all day at camp, such as “Will they sail in the rain?” or “How are your instructors certified?” Many schools post frequently asked questions on their websites; others have a list they send with their welcome packets. We posted six common questions and answers at spinsheet.com/parentquestions.
Four key questions for choosing a sailing camp.
- What’s the focus of the program? Some kids want to focus on hard skills for the youth racing circuit. Others want to mess around in boats, pick up some basic seamanship skills, or maybe learn a bit about Bay ecology. Talk to the school/camp staff and be candid about what your family is looking for. Will the kids have time to mess around on standup paddleboards, try fishing, learn the basics of navigation, or try powerboating?
- What’s the temperament of the child? Let’s set the kids up for success by taking time to understand what they really need. Some children are intense, competitive, and love structure. Others are playful, creative daydreamers who thrive in a relaxed atmosphere. Some are independent—happy to go away to camp on their own. Others feel more secure with friends or siblings.
- Tell me about the staff and the boats. Is the program accredited by US Sailing or American Sailing Association? What is the instructor-student ratio? What type of boats will the kids sail? How old is the fleet and how well is it maintained? What qualities are important to the director when hiring instructors? What percentage of staff are returning counselors/ instructors? What are the safety protocols?
- Does this camp fit my family’s schedule and budget? Think twice if the program doesn’t fit well into your already busy family life or your family’s budget. With so many great regional programs, parents should be able to find one that is conveniently located, within budget, fits the parents’ work schedule, meets the kids’ needs, has excellent counselors, and offers exciting programming.
What's new for 2025?
We checked in with several regional sailing schools and camps to learn what’s new for the 2025 sessions. Here are several highlights:
Brendan Sailing Celebrates its 40th Anniversary
Brendan Sailing summer camps will return to Annapolis Sailing School and St. Mary’s College in June and July with the addition of another week of day camp in St. Mary’s this year. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this summer, Brendan Sailing camps are specifically designed for children with learning differences, providing an environment where they can build confidence, develop teamwork skills, and foster independence. Through hands-on sailing lessons and outdoor adventure, campers experience personal growth and a sense of accomplishment that extends well beyond the shore. With camps selling out fast last year, parents are encouraged to mark their calendars for February 12 when applications for this year open. It’s the perfect opportunity for kids from 11 to 18 years old to embark on a transformative summer of learning and fun.
More Boats and Counselors at Belle Haven Marina
Anne at Belle Haven Sailing Marina School says, “Our fleet of both Sunfish and Flying Scot sailboats has grown, and we’ve hired more camp counselors this year to open even more spots for campers! This means we’re better equipped than ever to accommodate friend and neighborhood groups.”
Pram Camp, Scholarships, and More From Youth Sailing Virginia
In 2024, Youth Sailing Virginia (YSV) added Pram Camp to its summer programs and now welcomes kids as young as eight years old to register for week-long half-day sessions. This summer YSV aims to reach even more kids and introduce them to the joy of sailing. Removing financial barriers continues to be an integral part of the YSV mission. They offer numerous scholarships for those who need help and want to attend the summer camps. Simply request an application; the staff will assist in the process. YSV welcomes area organizations that work with youth to reach out to collaborate and create transformative experiences this summer for underserved youth. To date YSV has curated programming for kids with Hampton City Schools, Boys and Girls Club, 200+ Men, G.I.R.L.S Club Hampton Roads, and Jack and Jill of America to name a few.
Hampton Yacht Club Welcomes Back Head Performance Opti Coach
HYC’s waterfront director Max Plarr reports, “Juan Manual ‘Paton’ Briones will return as head performance Optimist coach this spring. Under his leadership in 2024 the team excelled in the fleet and team race disciplines at claiming one Atlantic Coast Championship, second at Team Race Nationals, and third in Opti Team Cup in Berlin for Team USA. Paton is committed to coach the next generation of great sailors on the Southern Bay.” The HYC motto is “Not all classrooms have four walls.” Junior program registration opens February 15.
DC Sail Brings Back Schooner Camp
DC Sail will bring back its Schooner Camp in 2025. A week-long day camp aboard a 65-foot double-masted schooner, American Spirit, incorporates a beautifully custom-crafted STEM curriculum into the daily activities along with learning how to sail a tall ship! Campers are not required to have swim skills, though this is encouraged for all of DC Sail’s programs. Campers wear their lifejackets while aboard the vessel at all times. There are safety railings and netting that surround the deck (no swimming). The camp’s benefits include the pure excitement of “Big Boat Sailing” and learning about marine engineering: complicated rigging and the unique naval architectural design, mechanical and engine functions, local maritime history, flora and fauna studies, hourly evaluation weather and water conditions, plotting charts and navigation, USCG Rules of the Road, and gaining a lifelong appreciation of the human and environmental impact on our fragile waterway systems. Campers attend from all points of the DelMarVa, share the days on the water with new friends outside of their school and neighborhoods, and work as fellow crewmates to manage the boat. Campers may attend as “buddy sailors,” with their friends, siblings, cousins, etc. (Schooner Camp is available and age-appropriate for youth ages 12 to 18.)
Washington Sailing Marina Summer Camps
Summer Sailing Camp in Alexandria, VA, along the Potomac River is fun and learning all tied up in a week. The Washington Sailing Marina Summer Sailing Camp has been offering weeklong day camp sailing programs to youth in the DC metro area for more than 60 years. If you want your child to be outside, meeting new friends, communicating and navigating, and learning a life-impacting skill such as sailing, this camp is the place to be. The school has programs for first time sailors ages eight and up, returning sailors who have experienced sailing and just want more, and advanced sailors who may be considering competitive sailing. Director Amy Zang, who just celebrated her 30th summer at the Washington Sailing Marina, shares her expertise in education and passion in learn-to-sail programs bringing together an excellent summer program for both campers and staff. “I pride myself on the longevity of our campers, coming back summer after summer because they love it, and becoming staff so they can pass the fun along.”
