Sailing Camps

All camps are one week camps Monday – Friday, unless otherwise specified.

Little Guppies

Half-Day Program

It’s never too early to start sailing! In this fun introduction to the sport, campers will learn to be comfortable around the water, rig and sail a keelboat, and take a launch ride.
Ages 6-7
Fee: $175

Morning Sessions: 9am-12pm

Afternoon Sessions: 1pm-4pm

Full-Day Program

A full-day camp for the youngest of sailors, this week will be filled with sailing basics and age-appropriate outdoor ecology. Campers will engage in hands-on activities each morning followed by an afternoon of sailing aboard our keelboats.
Ages 6-7, 9am-4pm
Fee: $330

Level I

Campers will learn the basics of rigging, points of sail, sailing maneuvers, safety and recovery in a safe fun environment. Certified Instructors lead a variety of land- and water-based activities designed to promote comfort and independence in the boat. Sailors will receive US SAILING Little Red Sailing Certification Books at the completion of the course.
Ages 8-10, Ages 11-15
9am-4pm
Fee: $330

Level II

This camp is a perfect follow up to the Level I, or an ideal choice for young sailors who are already comfortable with the basics. Following a review of nomenclature and basic rigging, safety and sailing maneuvers sailors will advance to on-the-water activities that consolidate skills and teach new ones during longer sails around Burlington Bay.
Ages 8-10, Ages 11-15
9am-4pm
Fee: $330

Level III

Building on the skills learned in Level 1 and II, this camp will refine on-the-water skills, boat handling skills and introduce advanced equipment. Campers will also learn beginning racing skills including starts, tactical tips, and winning strategies. **This camp runs for two weeks, Monday- Friday**
Ages 9-15
9am – 4pm
Fee: $610

Summer Race Program

The summer race program is a 4 week program designed for Level III graduates. It will build on the introduction to racing that students received in Level III and will include advanced coaching on dinghies and an introduction to keelboat racing. To learn more and register please check out our Performance Sailing Page.

Multi-activity Camps

Climbing and Sailing Camp

This week long camp offers adventure and challenges on the water and off. Campers will learn and improve on the fundamental skills of sailing small boats on Lake Champlain each morning, then experience Petra Cliffs‘ ropes course challenges and fun climbing-related activities in the afternoon. Campers should be dropped off at the Community Sailing Center in the morning and picked up at Petra Cliffs. (Climbing and Sailing cannot be paired with Late Pick-Up)
Ages 10 – 14
9am – 4pm
Fee: $330

Skateboarding and Sailing Camp

For those who like to skateboard and be out on the Lake, this is the ideal camp. Camper will spend mornings perfecting their skateboarding skills and afternoons learning how to sail small boats on Lake Champlain. Campers should be dropped off at One Main Street in the morning and picked up at the Community Sailing Center in the afternoon. (Skateboarding and Sailing cannot be paired with Early Drop-Off)
Contact Burlington Parks and Recreation to register.
Ages: 8-15
9am – 4pm
Fee: $320

Art and Sailing Camp

This week-long camp will introduce campers to the sport of sailing as well as creating beautiful art projects inspired by Lake Champlain. We will learn how to use watercolor paints and other fluid materials to create landscapes and Lakescapes. In the afternoon, campers will continue their exploration on water by learning the basics of sailing.
Ages: 8-10
9am – 4pm
Fee: $325

Sea Kayaking and Sailing Camp

This camp will introduce campers to the joys of open water kayaking as well as sailing. We will learn the skills necessary for successful paddling in wind and waves, and the fundamentals of small craft safety.
Community Partner: Canoe Imports
Ages: 11-15
9am – 4pm
Fee: $325

Tennis and Sailing

This week-long camp will teach young athletes the basics of two fun sports! The first half of the day will be spent learning the fundamental skills of sailing small boats on Lake Champlain. In the afternoon, we will learn the basics of tennis including skill development, drills, and game-based play. Campers should be dropped off at the Community Sailing Center and picked up at the Burlington Tennis Club. (Tennis and Sailing cannot be paired with Late Pick-Up)
Community Partner: Burlington Tennis Club
Ages: 10-15
9am – 4pm
Fee: $320

Lake Adventure

This camp is designed for adventurers who love to play on the Lake but would like to do more than just sail on it. We will explore Lake Champlain to the fullest from a variety of watercraft, including canoe/kayak excursions out to Lone Rock Point, paddleboarding to North Beach, and sailing adventures on our keelboats.
Ages: 8-10, Ages 11-15
9am – 4pm
Fee: $330

Scuba and Sailing Camp

Experience the lake from above and below the water! Campers will learn basic snorkeling and SCUBA skills to explore the Lake’s aquatic habitat in the morning, then experience the excitement and skill of sailing the afternoon. **Youth with asthma, diabetes, and epilepsy are unable to participate in this camp**
Community Partner: Waterfront Dive Center
Ages: 12-16
9am – 4pm
Fee: $335

Cooking and Sailing Camp

This week-long camp offers adventures indoors and outdoors. In the morning, campers will embark on a variety of of culinary pursuits in the kitchen with the help of a resident chef-instructor, culminating each day with a tasty lunch. In the afternoon, campers will learn the fundamental skills of sailing small boats. Campers should be dropped off at Healthy Living Market and Cafe in the morning and picked up at the Community Sailing Center at the end of the day. (Cooking and Sailing cannot be paired with Early Drop-Off)
Community Partner:Healthy Living Market and Cafe
Ages: 9-12
9am – 4pm
Fee: $375

Additional Opportunities

Saturday Free Sail

Each Saturday campers can use our dinghy boats for free! A sailing instructor will oversee the safe use of the boats. Join fellow students, meet new friends, and build sailing skills by having fun and spending time on the water. Sign-up required and campers must have completed at least one full week session prior to using the boats.
Ages 8-10 and 11-15 FREE!
10am-1pm
Dates: June 23-August 25  *There will be no Saturday Free Sail August 18, the day of the Burlington Triathlon

Early Drop-off

Come to camp early and we will start all the fun before camp begins.
Ages 8 and up, 8am-9am
Fee: $30/week

Late Pickup

Stay at camp late and continue all the day’s activities until mom and dad are out of work.
Ages 8 and up, 4pm-5:30pm
Fee: $45/week

Junior Instructor Program

The Junior Instructor program offers young adults the opportunity to work with sailing professionals to teach and support instructional camps at the Sailing Center. A typical day might include helping with morning check-in and afternoon check-out, working with staff to clean up each afternoon, supporting an instructor aboard a powerboat, skippering a dinghy with or without campers aboard, or leading a fun game ashore. All Junior Instructors must be 15-18 years old, have taken a Level II camp or equivalent, and have a good attitude and a willingness to work. More details on our Junior Instructor information page.

The program requires a commitment of at least two weeks over the summer, Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm.

Please contact Nick Neverisky, Program Director, by e-mail at nick@communitysailingcenter.org for more information.