Program Requirements

What age group is the program geared towards?

The program is geared for children ages 9-15. Kids on the low end of the age range should be considered mature for their age. In order that all participants have the best learning experience, we regret that we cannot accept kids under the age of 9 at the time their session occurs.

Does my child need any prior sailing experience?

No, the Summer Sailing Program is designed for all kids, whether they have experience or not. Campers without sailing experience will be taught the basics, while those with experience will take more senior roles in the team. Everyone has the opportunity to learn and grow their sailing skills.

What skills does my child need to join the program?

Your camper must be a competent swimmer and be capable of light exertion. Beyond that, we ask that your child has a readiness to try new things and participate fully in group activities. Each camper will have responsibilities and their willingness to perform them will allow the entire group to have an awesome summer.

Is there any paperwork that needs to be completed?

Yes, a parent or legal guardian must complete both Health & Consent and Swim Competency forms. These are online forms that will be emailed to you once you have registered your child. Please note we cannot legally accept your child without these fully completed forms returned to us prior to the first day your child is scheduled for camp.

Does any of the paperwork require a physicians signature?

No, a parent or legal guardian's signature is sufficient.

Session Questions

When do the sessions begin and end?

Our first session begins early June and our final session begins in the final week of August. For specific session dates click here.

How long does each session last?

The camp is designed as a two-week program, however, because of the way we have structured the program, campers may join for as little as one week and as much as the entire summer and still benefit.

Will my child be with other kids their own age?

We do our best to group kids by their age, however there are various factors that go into determining the groups including the skill and age of the participants in the session. If you have a specific request in terms of who your child is grouped with, please let us know and we will make every effort to meet your request.

Will my child be behind if he / she joins in the second week of a two-week session?

The camp is structured in a way that that allows kids of all sailing levels to grow their skills during any session of camp. The first day of each week is a time for new students to learn the basics and returning campers to refresh. The counselors assess the skill level of each child and then plan the week accordingly, with more advanced campers taking on more senior roles in the team. We have found this to be an excellent way for kids to not only advance their sailing but improve their leadership and team skills.

Program Basics

What are the program hours?

Tribeca: Monday through Friday, 9:00am - 3:30pm

W79th: Monday through Friday, 8:30am - 4:00pm to allow for travel time to Tribeca.

Where do I drop off and pick up my child?

Upper West Side: Our pick-up and drop-off location is the corner of West 79th Street and West End Ave. Counselors will be there to greet your children in the mornings between 8:20am and 8:30am and will return to hand off your campers to their designated pick-up person around 4:00pm. Sailors will be escorted via subway to our Tribeca location so return travel time may vary slightly. Masks and Metro Cards will be required for all UWS drop off sailors.

Tribeca: We’ll meet at the Pier 25 office just past the mini golf concession at the beginning and end of the day. Counselors will be there to greet your children in the mornings between 8:50am and 9:00am and will return to hand off your campers to their designated pick-up person at 3:30pm.

How many students are on each boat?

We limit each boat to 6 campers in order to provide the best sailing education possible. This small size affords students the hands-on experience and personal attention that is paramount in our program. We have a student to counselor ratio of 6:1.

What happens if it rains?

Camp continues even if it rains. Rain storms generally pass over the area very quickly and rarely affect our sailing, however it can happen. In a light rain, campers will spend time learning onboard below decks until the weather passes. If the weather becomes very unpleasant or too dangerous to be on the water, campers head to the South Street Seaport, the Museum of Natural History, the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum or any number of other fun and educational venues, where they learn about the history and science of sailing. Our counselors are expert sailors adept at monitoring the weather and will head to shore if there is any threat of danger.

What if I need to reach my child during camp hours?

To reach your child during camp hours, call the main Atlantic Yachting office number, 212-518-4604. Counselors carry cell phones as well as ship-to-shore radio communication equipment, and the office will contact them to relay a message or have your camper call you back from the counselors cell phone.

Financial

Are there any additional expenses?

No. Tuition is all-inclusive and covers all program activities and equipment as well as any fees incurred for rainy day activities should they be necessary.

Can I get a refund if my child misses a day?

We plan sessions and hire staff based on camper registration and for this reason we are unable to offer refunds for unattended camp days. If your child is ill, and there is another session of camp that has availability, he or she may make up the days as long as they provide a note from a doctor.

Do you offer discounts for referrals?

Yes! We will send you a check for $100 for every camper that you refer than signs up for a two week session. Please make sure your friends fill out the appropriate referral section on the registration page and we will contact you to find out where you want the check sent.

Do you have scholarships or offer any financial aid?

Yes, we have both full and partial scholarships available to those who have a financial need. If you believe you qualify, or if you would like to support our scholarship program, please email sail@atlanticyachting.com for more information

Safety

Is the program safe?

Yes. Safety is at our forefront. Activities are carefully planned and professionally overseen. We put a maximum of six students on board each vessel and have a student/counselor ratio of 6:1. This aids in supervision and leads to a safe, flexible, and fun sailing. Our vessels are manned by professional mariners with years of experience in difficult situations. In the event that emergency medical attention is required, our launches give quick access to shore-based emergency personnel. The Atlantic Yachting fleet is always within range of radio and telephone contact with NY/NJ emergency services and also has a direct connection to the United States Coast Guard. We monitor harbor weather daily and should the need arise we have a full inclement weather plan, including the relocation to a land-based shelter if necessary. We have a 100% percent clean safety record and use all available means to keep your child safe and happy on the water.

Do campers wear life jackets?

Yes, life jackets are required to be worn at all times on the docks and aboard the vessels. We provide high quality, properly fitting, US Coast Guard approved life jackets for all camp participants. Please stress the importance of this rule with your child.

What To Bring

What should my camper bring?

Your camper should bring a good pair of non-marking deck shoes, rain gear, a water bottle, lunch and snacks sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. All necessary sailing gear and equipment are provided, including lifejackets.

What kind of shoes does my child need?

Good shoes are important aboard a boat as the provide traction on slick wet surfaces and offer protection. Shoes should be soft, have a non-marking sole and should be fast drying. Deck shoes, sport sandals with straps, or non-marking tennis shoes are recommended. Black soled shoes, loose fitting sandals and flip flops are not permitted. Bare feet are not allowed.

We highly recommend these brands of sailing specific shoes - Sperry, Sebago, Docksiders, Harken, and Keen. They can be found online and in local stores (West Marine - 37th b/w 5th and 6th).

What about lunch and snacks?

Sailors bring their own lunch and snacks to the program. We will provide cold storage for those lunches and ample opportunities to refill water bottles. We highly recommend packing a few nut-free snacks to stay in the sailor’s bags aboard the boats.

More?

How can I find out more?

Call or e-mail us! We are happy to answer any questions or provide more details about our camp. We can be reached at 212-518-4604 or at sail@atlanticyachting.com