Sailing teaches critical thinking, builds confidence and encourages sportsmanship. Most important – it’s just plain fun! Certified instructors will be teaching sailing in small sailboats for all skill levels. They will teach part of the course on the water and part of the course on shore. They’ll practice rigging the boat, finding the wind, basic boat handling and safety, too. Course curriculum will be based on US Sailing Level 1 instruction.

We’ll be using Optimist, Laser, Sunfish and Vanguard 15 boats as our teaching platform. These are safe, sturdy and easy to sail.  Perfect for kids!

All groups are coached by US Sailing certified instructors and assisted by camp counselors and junior counselors. All age groups sail each day and have swim time as well as camp crafts and games. Each day also includes lessons appropriate for each learning level. Campers are encouraged to participate in each level for multiple sessions within one season, or over a period of years.

Opti 1

Our youngest and smallest campers will take the helm for the first time in the Opti fleet, learning the basics of sailing safety and maneuvers in pairs on board their boats. Campers will learn basic boating safety, steering and control, capsize recovery, rigging and team work.

Opti 2

Beginning sailors ages 9 and up as well as Opti 1 graduates will increase their skill level at the helm of an Opti sailboat. Campers are encouraged to single-hand after mastering sailing in pairs. Campers will learn basic boating safety, steering and control, capsize recovery, rigging, team work and single-handed sailing.

Laser/Sunfish

Sailors ages 12 and up learn to sail on sporty lasers, which are used in Olympic sailing. Starting off in pairs to increase confidence and get practice with a friend on board, campers are encouraged to try single handing the boat by the end of the week. Laser campers spend most of their time on the water throughout the week with both morning and afternoon sailing sessions and a group raft-up.

Vanguard

The oldest and most advanced campers will set sail on the Vanguard 15, learning teamwork and sail trim with both a jib and main. Vanguard campers will participate in fleet races and other activities with the Laser fleet. Vanguard campers will also have the opportunity to try other boats available at Sail Camp.

Each camp day will start at 9:00am and end at 4:00pm. Everyone should show up with sunscreen pre-applied and bring some extra to reapply later in the day. The instructors will start things on shore with classroom learning about the core concepts of sailing. Campers will spend 3-5 hours out on the water each day. Lunch break will be around noon and we will seek shade for this break.  Each day the campers will rig and de-rig their boats and be actively involved in the cleanup and storage of boats. In addition, campers will do camp activities like games, song and crafts.

• CGA Class III Personal Flotation Device (Lifejacket that is a full vest)
• Sack lunch and water bottle
• Athletic swimwear, hat and closed-toe water shoes
• Change of Clothes
• SPF 30 sunscreen

And of course your smile!

See the full Parent Guide, including packing list.

No, your child does not need any sailing experience – this camp is for beginners too. We will note that it is helpful to have some boating experience as a passenger and campers must be comfortable in and around water. Being a good swimmer is also very helpful. Campers will be required to wear life jackets at all times when on a boat, in the water and on the shoreline near the water.

No, sail camp is for all children ages 7-17. Yacht Club members get a discount off registration. Although, we encourage families to consider joining one of the two yacht clubs to keep up sailing skills all year long.

Absolutely! We offer private lessons and adult sailing classes are also available at the Percy Priest Yacht Club.

There is no fee for registrations canceled from Sept 1 until December 31. Cancellations after that for any reason and prior to 30 days before the event are eligible for a refund less a $50 processing fee. Any cancellations less than 30 days before the event are non-refundable. Cancellation requests must be in writing it can be submitted through our contact page. There is no fee for transfer to another week up to 30 days prior to the start, if there is space available.

There is no fee for transfer to another week up to 30 days prior to the start, if there is space available. Any session changes under 30 days will incur a $25 processing fee.

To add your camper to the wait list, go to register as normal and choose the session that you would like. Once you have selected that session, there will be a button that says “Wait List.” Once you choose the “Wait List” option, your information will be saved to our wait list. You will see a small red box that says “wait list alert confirmed.” You are now on the wait list! If you would like to check the wait lists that you are currently on, visit our registration site.  Login to your account and click your profile icon in the upper right corner of the page to visit the notification center.

If an opening becomes available you will be contacted by email. Once a spot becomes available, every person on the wait list is immediately notified by email. Our sessions fill on a first come, first serve basis.