All Kinds of Kids; All Kinds of Sailing Camps
“There is something very special about kids sailing camp,” says Charlie Arms, executive director at Brendan Sailing. “The autonomy of commanding your own vessel and the lessons the wind and water have to teach build resilience and problem solving that carry through to school and life in general.”
Although it may be cold and snowy when you read this, parents all around the Bay are scrambling right now to reserve spots in summer camps for their youngsters. Summer sailing fits the bill for kids and parents in so many ways. Since not all youth sailing programs are the same, we’ve wrangled together a bundle of useful tips to help you identify the right experience for your child. Kids’ summer sailing programs are geared for fun, though some have a specific focus. Here are several examples:
- “Young people with learning differences respond to the Brendan Approach, which sets achievable goals that build successes, resulting in more self-confidence and higher self-esteem," says Arms.
- Severn Sailing Association’s new Adventure SSAiling program gives experienced youth sailors exposure to several one-design boats that may be more fun for those not interested in sailing Optis, ILCAs, or 420s.
- Annapolis Sailing School’s new Kidship nature-themed courses give young sailors the opportunity to explore ecosystems and habitats while participating in sailing activities and crafts.
- Eastport Yacht Club’s Bay Cruiser course is designed for kids who want to explore the environment and STEAM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Art, Math based on sailing theory) using sailboats, paddleboards, kayaks, and powerboats.
- For teens looking to move from dinghy to keelboat, J/World Annapolis offers a keelboat camp focused on tacking and gybing, wind awareness, sailing angles, sail controls, and more.
Learning on a (Really) Big Boat!
In addition to its long running and popular Kids Set Sail Summer Camp program, DC Sail, located on the Potomac River, is excited to revive Schooner Camp. Traci Mead, the organization’s executive director, says, “Students will come aboard DC’s only schooner and by the end of the week will be skilled sailors able to manage the boat. Camp participants will be responsible for all crew responsibilities and will learn each day the skills necessary to sail a large sailing vessel, including piloting, navigating, crew coordination, and more!”
Mead continues, “Schooner Camp is held aboard our 65-foot schooner, American Spirit, Monday through Friday, and will educate students, ages 12-17, on subjects pertaining to sailing on a schooner, seamanship, local history, and marine science with a focus on local flora and fauna. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects are part of the excellent, award-winning, on-the-water and dockside curriculum.”
Teaching kids to sail fits perfectly with DC Sail’s mission to promote and sustain affordable educational, recreational, and competitive sailing programs for all ages in a fun and safe environment.
FAQs for summer camps.
SpinSheet will bring you more Frequently Asked Questions in our youth and junior sailing coverage as the season progresses. Here are four for starters:
Q: Why didn’t my child go sailing today?
A: Sometimes it’s blowing 15 knots, and that’s not the best experience for a beginner. Youth programs have figured out that the best way to introduce sailing to children is to go slowly so no one gets scared. Staff are prepared with many other activities to keep kids busy and help them learn about sailing. From chalk talks to swimming in lifejackets, your child will have fun and learn regardless of the weather.
Q: Can my child attend a camp at a yacht or sailing club if I am not a member?
A: Probably. Plenty of clubs either allow open summer youth programs to non-members or offer a ‘junior membership’ to participants for a nominal fee, so that all are welcome. If the cost feels prohibitive, ask about scholarships.
Q: Will my child need a lifejacket?
A: The answer is yes, but whether or not the camper must bring his own depends on the program. Some require each child to bring one from home, but many provide them. Be sure to inquire.
Q: Is a full day or half day program better?
A: The answer depends on your family and your child. Considerations include age, stamina, need for childcare while parents are working, distance you must drive to reach the camp, and your child’s level of interest and previous sailing experience. Talk with the staff at a few different programs for guidance.
Don’t Forget Overnight Camps
If your youngster has wide-ranging outdoor interests beyond sailing, consider a traditional overnight camp. Many have robust waterfront programs.Two such camps are located a stone’s throw from each other just south of the mouth of the Sassafras River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Tickwogh is YMCA Camp Tockwogh’s one-week specialty watersports camp that gets kids sailing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, and paddling. Sailing takes place on Flying Scots, a 29-foot keelboat, or campers may bring their own Sunfish. Nearby Echo Hill Camp has 13 boats in its sailing fleet, including Flying Scots, a Catalina 22, Hobie Cats, Lasers, and Sunfish. Waterskiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, tubing, crabbing, fishing, and kayaking are also part of the waterfront mix.
Important questions to ask any sailing program before registering:
- What is the instructor to student ratio?
- What kind of training does your staff have?
- What kind of boats will the kids be sailing on?
- How much time is spent on the water and on land?
Opportunity To Help?
If you’re an active sailor that has a favorite youth sailing program, you might consider asking the organizers if they accept in-kind donations. Many kids sailing camps are nonprofits, and even the for-profit ones may have needs that can be met with sailing gear you no longer need. If you’ve got extra fenders, line that is in good condition, gently used child-size PFDs, or even a dinghy that your family has outgrown, consider donating to a youth or junior program.
Expanded junior sailing coverage
Team SpinSheet is excited about our expanded junior sailing coverage coming this year. If you’ve got a young sailor or a child or teen that is curious about sailing, this content is for you! Got questions? We’ve got answers! Our June issue will provide junior sailing parents with information about what to expect in youth and junior programs and have answers to parents’ FAQs. From July to November, our pages and pixels will bring you more exciting junior sailing coverage. From race results and regatta analysis to interviews with coaches and sailors, we’ll have inspiring and informative content that parents and kids won’t want to miss. Spread the word to the youth sailor families in your community and be on the lookout for SpinSheet wherever sailors hang out, especially at clubs with junior programs. If you have content suggestions, email them to us.
For a more comprehensive school list, visit startsailingnow.com and click on “finding a sailing school.”
