Summer Sailing camps
New to Sailing? Start Here.
If your child has never sailed before, these are the right starting points. No prior experience required — just comfort being in the water with a life jacket.
Ages 8–12: Learn to Sail Small Boat - Our most popular beginner camp. Kids learn the fundamentals in our small fleet, with plenty of time on the water.
Ages 13+: FJ Sailing Camp - Beginner-friendly double-handed sailing where teens work in pairs and learn teamwork on the water.
Both camps are taught by experienced, US Sailing certified instructors. Most kids finish their first week wanting to come back for more.
About the 2026 Junior Membership
All summer camp participants are members of the SCYC Junior Sailing Program for the 2026 season. The $75 annual Junior Membership is a one-time fee that covers your sailor for the entire calendar year - not per camp. It includes access to club facilities during program hours, eligibility for our racing team and youth events, and supports the volunteer-run program that keeps camp tuition affordable.
First session total: $380 + $75 membership = $455. Each additional session: $380.
Learn to Sail Small Boat Summer Camp (8 - 12 year old)
Skill level: Beginner
This is an engaging, fun camp that introduces the fundamentals of sailing. Participants will spend time both on land and on the water, learning about wind awareness, parts of the boat, knots, and core sailing skills. No prior experience is required, sailors must be comfortable being in the water while wearing a life jacket.
Offered Monday to Friday, mornings (9:00 am – 12:30 pm) and afternoons (1:30 pm – 5:00 pm), depending on the week. Open "Schedule for Learn to Sail" below to see which sessions run each week.
Cost: $380 per session + one-time 2026 Junior Membership $75
- Learn to Sail Small Boat - Week 23: June 1 - June 5 - mornings
- Learn to Sail Small Boat - Week 24: June 8 - June 12 - mornings & afternoons
- Learn to Sail Small Boat - Week 25: June 15 - June 19 - mornings & afternoons
- Learn to Sail Small Boat - Week 26: June 22 - June 26 - mornings
- Learn to Sail Small Boat - Week 27: June 29 - July 2 - mornings & afternoons
- Learn to Sail Small Boat - Week 28: July 6 - July 10 - mornings & afternoons
- Learn to Sail Small Boat - Week 29: July 13 - July 17 - mornings
- Learn to Sail Small Boat - Week 30: July 20 - July 24 - mornings & afternoons
- Learn to Sail Small Boat - Week 31: July 27 - July 31 - mornings
Intermediate Small Boat Camp (8 - 14 year old)
Skill level: Intermediate
This is an in-depth camp for sailors who have completed Learn to Sail Small Boat or an equivalent program and are looking to refine their racing skills in a single-handed boat. Participants will focus on sail trim and be introduced to proper rigging, technical boat setup, and race tactics, both on land and on the water.
All classes are Monday to Friday, 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm.
Participants should have completed one or two Learn to Sail classes, or have equivalent skills. Please contact our Junior Sailing Director, Andreas, at juniordirector@scyc.org if you have any questions about experience level.
Cost: $380 + one-time 2026 Junior Membership $75
- Intermediate Small Boat - Week 24: June 8 - June 12
- Intermediate Small Boat - Week 25: June 15 - June 19
- Intermediate Small Boat - Week 26: June 22 - June 26
- Intermediate Small Boat - Week 28: July 6 - July 10
- Intermediate Small Boat - Week 29: July 13 - July 17
- Intermediate Small Boat - Week 30: July 20 - July 24
- Intermediate Small Boat - Week 31: July 27 - July 31
Learn to Sail FJ Sailing Camp (over 13 year old)
Skill level: Beginner, Intermediate
This camp introduces sailors to double-handed dinghy sailing in the FJ. Sailors will learn how to work as a team, including steering, trimming sails, tacking, jibing, and basic boat handling. Time will be spent both on land and on the water learning boat parts, rigging, knots, and fundamental sailing skills. No prior FJ experience is required, but sailors should be comfortable on the water and wearing a life jacket.
Offered Monday to Friday, mornings (9:00 am – 12:30 pm) and afternoons (1:30 pm – 5:00 pm), depending on the week. Open "Schedule for Learn to Sail FJ Sailing" below to see which sessions run each week.
Cost: $380 + one-time 2026 Junior Membership $75
- FJ Sailing Camp - Week 23: June 1 - June 5 - morning
- FJ Sailing Camp - Week 24: June 8 - June 12 - morning & afternoons
- FJ Sailing Camp - Week 25: June 15 - June 19 - morning & afternoons
- FJ Sailing Camp - Week 26: June 22 - June 26 - morning
- FJ Sailing Camp - Week 27: June 29 - July 2 -afternoon
- FJ Sailing Camp - Week 28: July 6 - July 10 - morning & afternoons
- FJ Sailing Camp - Week 29: July 13 - July 17 - morning
- FJ Sailing Camp - Week 30: July 20 - July 24 - morning & afternoons
- FJ Sailing Camp - Week 31: July 27 - July 31 - morning
Intro to c420 (over 13 year old)
Skill level: Intermediate, Advanced
This camp is designed for sailors who want to step into the Club 420 and learn the basics of performance double-handed sailing. Sailors will focus on boat handling, teamwork, sail trim, and proper rigging, with time spent both on land and on the water. By the end of the week, participants will have a solid foundation in crewing and skippering a c420 in a variety of conditions.
This camp runs once this summer: Week 23 (June 1 – June 5), Monday to Friday, 1:30 pm to 5 pm.
Cost: $380 + one-time 2026 Junior Membership $75
- Intro to c420 - Week 23: June 1 - June 5
Double-handed Racing (over 13 year old)
Skill level: Advanced
This is an advanced, performance-focused camp for sailors who are ready to race double-handed boats. Sailors will work on starts, mark roundings, boat-on-boat tactics, sail trim, and speed optimization. Emphasis is placed on teamwork, communication, and race strategy, with drills and practice races both on land and on the water.
All classes are Monday to Friday, 1:30 pm to 5 pm.
Cost: $380 + one-time 2026 Junior Membership $75
- Double-handed Racing - Week 26: June 22 - June 26
- Double-handed Racing - Week 29: July 13 - July 17
- Double-handed Racing - Week 31: July 27 - July 31
On the weekend following these classes, we will compete in a regatta at other clubs in the Bay Area.
Intro to ILCA (Laser)
Skill level: Advanced
This camp introduces sailors to single-handed sailing in the ILCA (Laser). Sailors will learn proper rigging, boat handling, sail trim, and basic racing skills while building confidence sailing independently. Time will be split between land-based instruction and on-the-water practice, with a focus on control, balance, and speed.
This camp runs once this summer: Week 23 (June 1 – June 5), Monday to Friday, 1:30 pm to 5 pm.
Cost: $380 + one-time 2026 Junior Membership $75
- Intro to ILCA - Week 27: June 29 - July 2
Frequently Asked Questions Summer Sailing Camps
- Life Jacket (Coast Guard approved Type III)
- Wetsuit (O'Neill's has a great children’s exchange program)
- Close-toed shoes that can get wet (no flip-flops)
- Helmets are provided, but you can bring your own
- A brown bag lunch, water bottles, and snacks
- Recommended: Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat
We provide the boats for all classes.