Youth Summer Sailing Program

The Outdoor Adventure Center and the Passamaquoddy Yacht Club have partnered over the last 10 years to provide the Youth Summer Sailing Program, where we share volunteers/instructors, boat maintenance, and scholarships for campers in need.  The program instructors follow a safe progression and curriculum modeled from the US Sailing Small Boat program. Two beginner sessions learn basic nomenclature, seamanship, rigging the boat, nautical knots and basic points of sail. The intermediate session reviews the beginner curriculum and improvement on sailing maneuvers and skills. The advanced course reviews intermediate techniques such as maneuvers, sail theory, navigation rules and racing techniques in the last week of the camp.  The advanced program ends with a regatta where the instructors and yacht club members race against the campers in a series of buoy courses.  This Youth Summer Sailing Program has been a staple offering in the local summer camps.

 OAC COVID-19 Update

BEGINNER SAILING CAMP         

FOR YOUTH AGES 8-12

SESSION 1: INDIAN LAKE      REGISTER

SESSION 2: KEENE’S LAKE      REGISTER

This is a beginner class for children to have positive early learning experiences on the water and while sailing. Building confidence, ensuring safety, demonstrating respect, courtesy to others, and good teamwork are primary goals. Participants learn basic nomenclature, seamanship, and sailing skills. Small sloop-rigged dinghies called “Mirrors” are used for instruction on fresh water lakes. Fun sailing games and other skill-related activities are incorporated into the course. Upon completion students should feel comfortable sailing with another participant. There are two locations and dates for this program. Maximum class size 12 students per session.

INTERMEDIATE SAILING CAMP

FOR YOUTH AGES 8-12

KEENE’S LAKE      REGISTER

This is an intermediate class for children who have taken our beginner program (see above) or have participated in a sailing training program before. It is the goal of this program to build upon the introductory skills learned previously and to build confidence. Participants will revisit basic nomenclature, seamanship, and sailing skills while learning more intermediate skills such as maneuvers, sail theory, navigation rules. Small sloop-rigged dinghies called “Mirrors” are used for instruction on fresh water lakes. Fun sailing games and other skill-related activities are incorporated into the course. Upon completion students should feel comfortable sailing with another participant. Maximum class size 12 students.

ADVANCED PROGRAM 

FOR YOUTH AGES 12-18

BOYDEN’S LAKE      REGISTER

This course is intended for youth who have completed 2 years of sailing school or possess skills beyond beginner level.  This program will focus on skill development for teens using mirror sailboats, daysailers, and/or WCCC’s fleet of six Flying Junior sailboats and will provide the participant with instruction in more advanced topics such as boat rigging, furling, safety, and racing. The class further focuses on sailing skills, such as roll-tacking, roll-jibing, getting out-of-irons, heaving-to, points of sail, sailing upwind, downwind, weather and wind awareness and advanced safety such as right-of-way. A review of important knots and variety of uses will also be included. Actual sailing time may include both lake and ocean time. The curriculum is based on US Sailing’s standard small boat sailing certification program. Maximum class size 12 students.