Camp sails from the Hutchins Park area at 100 Congress Avenue (site known for the HdG Farmer’s Market tent) on the HdG waterfront. We accept campers from age 7 to age 18 in session groups of size 20 – 30 campers with approximately 6-8 campers assigned to a certified instructor and intern during each day. We craft the individual camper’s experience to match their development level. About half of the campers will be returnees from previous sessions and years, the other half will be first-timers. Campers usually sail one five-day (week-long) session but some campers return for additional weeks, based on family schedules and personal needs. There is no particular content difference from session to session, so selecting a session date on a content basis is not important.
Campers do not require any special preparation beyond having basic swimming skills, but these skills are important. Dinghy sailing is inherently a wet activity as beginners (as well as the experienced) frequently get dumped out of their boat when they lose balance. They need to accept this as normal and neither lose self-confidence nor get upset.
There is little “special gear” needed to sail. However, campers must have:
- a PFD (life jacket, aka “personal flotation device”)
- a dry towel
- high SPF sunscreen (waterproof SPF 50 is a great idea)
- a small lunch and snack in a backpack cooler (every day)
- a ball cap or other head covering for sun protection
- closed-toe footwear that can be wet 100% of the time (e.g., aqua socks, old tennis shoes, crocs, but not flip-flops)
While not required, we suggest campers consider wearing long-sleeve tee shirts, when sailing, for sun protection.
