Youth Summer Education & Sailing Programs
Summer programs, high school and junior sailing programs, private lessons and experiences specially designed for boy scouts and girl scouts.
Your kids will have a blast with our youth programs, whether they are in 1st grade or 12th grade. Our summer programs focus on marine education and sailing skills. We also offer programs dedicated to junior sailing Spring, Summer and Fall, plus a brand new High School Sailing program to prepare high school students for racing on a college team. The WFC also has specially designed experiences for the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America.
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GROUP SUMMER PROGRAMS
Enhance your program by sampling ours!
Camps, Yacht Clubs, Day Care Programs, Boys and Girls Clubs and other Youth Groups can spend a morning, afternoon or all day enjoying the many activities we offer at the WaterFront Center. Schedule a sail on the Christeen or explore the different environments adjacent to Beekman Beach such as the marsh, tidal flats or fresh water stream. What will you find in seine and dip nets? Expose your campers to sailing in a Sonar with an experienced instructor, or let them paddle themselves in our kayaks. We can customize a program to suit your needs. 
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JUNIOR SUMMER PROGRAMS
Our youngest explorers (students entering 1st or 2nd grade) embark on thematic studies of local inhabitants of Oyster Bay. They will collect samples, perform experiments and discover the beach, creek and marsh habitats. Each theme will be reinforced with activities and crafts. "On the Water" activities will include a voyage on the Christeen, rowing, and fishing from the pier. There will also be guest appearances from local wildlife organizations. Enjoy the environment as a Bay Buccaneer! Offered in one week sessions, themes alternate. You may sign up for more than one session. Limited to 16 participants.
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Those entering 3rd or 4th grades move up the ranks to take on new experiences and learn new skills. Activities, from serving as crew aboard the Christeen to getting their first taste of sailing in Optis and Sonars, foster cooperation and increase self-esteem. Sound Swashbucklers also participate in a variety of other activities such as kayaking, fishing and special visits from outside organizations in addition to environmental exploration. Program focus alternates by session. You may sign up for more than one session. One week options are available for Session 1 only. Limited to 16 participants.
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First Mates entering 5th or 6th grade will experience a combination of marine discovery and sailing every day! While sailing in Optis or Sonars the First Mates will be grouped into levels in order to continue building on their skills. Additionally they will learn seamanship, go fishing, develop kayaking skills and learn to appreciate the environment. They will also have the opportunity to meet new animals, set traps for our own "deadliest catch" while aboard the Christeen and explore areas otherwise not visited.
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Each day those entering 7th or 8th grade will sail the waters of Oyster Bay. Instruction will be on Optis, Pixels, Sunfish or Sonars, dependent on the daily weather conditions and the Skipper's individual size and experience. With the naturalists the Skippers will participate in a variety of activities that promote environmental stewardship such as: water quality testing, fishing, kayaking and dredging for local marine life aboard our historic Oyster Sloop. The program culminates when the Skippers work together to sail the Christeen to Cold Spring Harbor and visit Sagamore Hill by sea.
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Experience a week-long adventure, with others entering 7th, 8th or 9th grade, as if you were truly stranded on a deserted island! Participants learn skills necessary for survival with activities that foster problem solving and team work. Additionally, participants will learn basic kayaking skills including different paddling and rescue techniques for their excursion across the Bay to camp out Thursday evening under the watchful eye of their Naturalists. The self-sufficiency skills they have learned are put to the test as they build shelters and cook out under the stars. Friday morning they will be "rescued" by the Christeen and returned to the WaterFront Center where they will have the opportunity as a group to reflect on their experiences, their new found self-confidence and the valuable life lessons they have learned.
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Survivor 1 - June 28 - July 2: M-W: 9am-3pm; Thu: 9am - Overnight to 1:30pm Fri
Survivor 2 - July 6-9: Tue-Wed: 9am-3pm; Thu: 9am - Overnight to 1:30pm Fri Survivor 3 - August 23-27: M-W: 9am-3pm; Thu: 9am - Overnight to 1:30pm Fri $650
This is a program for those entering 9th through 12th grades that includes a combination of sailing and marine education. Sailors will be introduced to our new 420's, the boat used for the High School and College regatta circuits. The naturalists will lead you beyond what you have done before into the realm of marine science research, data collection and analysis. The session will culminate with a Long Island Sound sailing expedition for an overnight cruising experience.
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For students entering 10th to 12th grade. This 2-week program is designed to develop the leadership skills needed to work with groups of children in the areas of marine education and sailing. The skills they learn will be put into practice with our summer program groups. The CIT candidate must have been a summer program participant for a minimum of 3 years and participate in an interview to be approved for the program.
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JUNIOR SAILING PROGRAMS
A great introduction for our youngest sailors! Small class size and an emphasis on fun provide an excellent start to learning to sail. Sailors will learn the basics and develop comfort on the water. Learning to sail is a great adventure and most important for young beginners is safety and fun. Experienced instructors will guide students through rigging, basic terminology, learning to right a capsized boat, and basic sailing maneuvers. Each class has a shore-based component and time on the water learning to sail in an 8-foot pram. Lil' Luffers will build comfort in the water and self-confidence while having FUN!
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9:30am to 12:00pm or 1:00pm to 3:30pm; see calendar for dates
Girls and boys entering 3rd and 4th grade; weight minimum 50 lbs.
$300
This learn-to-sail class is designed for the beginner and those with limited experience. Sailors learn basic seamanship including rigging, basic boat-handling and points of sail while building confidence to skipper an 8-foot Optimist pram. Small and stable enough to be rigged and sailed alone, the Optimist is the most popular and ideal choice for young sailors. Students will learn knots, wind awareness, tacking, gybing, capsize recovery, all points of sail and sail trim. Sailors in Optimist I will build confidence and comfort on the water as they become captains of their own ships!
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9:00am to 12:00pm or 1:00pm to 4:00pm; see calendar for dates
Girls and boys entering 5th through 9th grade
$600
For intermediate and advanced sailors, this class builds upon the foundational skills learned in Optimist I and Lil' Luffers. Sailors learn more advanced boat handling, build self-reliance and are introduced to racing. Students will hone their skills and learn new ones as they continue to build confidence sailing on their own. Additionally, this intermediate and advanced class will learn to race, adding an exciting dimension to learning.
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9:00am to 12:00pm or 1:00pm to 4:00pm; see calendar for dates
Girls and boys entering 5th through 9th grade; maximum age 15
Two sessions of Lil' Luffers or Optimist I and instructor recommendation
$600
Eager to get on the water? Join us for "spring training" in Optimists! Appropriate for all abilities, students will get a jump start on their sailing season.
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Sundays 1:00pm - 4:00pm; May 16 and 23; June 6, 13, and 20
Girls and boys entering 5th through 10th grade; maximum age 15
$300
Just because summer is over doesn't mean sailing has to be... beat the back to school blues on the water! Savor cooler days and steady breezes while improving sailing skills. Appropriate for all skill levels.
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Sundays 1:00pm - 4:00pm; September 12 through October 10
Girls and boys entering 5th through 10th grade; maximum age 15
$300
For beginner, intermediate and advanced sailors, Pixel sailing is fast and fun! Sailors build seamanship and teamwork skills while sailing with partners in this double-handed training boat. Sailing is something different and fun and the Pixel is a great choice for teenage sailors. While working together, students will build sailing skills and camaraderie while working on boathandling, sail trim and points of sail.
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Full Day 9:00-4:00, Half Day 9:00am to 12:00pm or 1:00pm to 4:00pm; see calendar for dates
Girls and boys entering 7th through 10th grade; minimum weight 90 lbs.
$600
Enjoy evening breezes and sunsets on the water! This unique program builds skills for sailors of all abilities. A fun way to end the day! Sailors will build teamwork and seamanship skills as they sail with partners practicing boathandling and sail trim while learning to race. A great way to spend time on the water with new friends!
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6:00 pm to 8:00pm Tuesday and Thursday evenings
Evening I: June 29 – July 22 Evenings II: July 27 – Aug 5 Girls and boys entering 7th through 12th grade; minimum weight 90 lbs.
$350
Enjoy learning to skipper and crew a 23’ Sonar with up to four friends. Great for groups, sailors learn to work together to perform basic keelboat sailing maneuvers with an emphasis on safety and seamanship. 2 to 4 sailors per boat. Students will build teamwork as they learn to rig and set sail together. Basic knots, safety protocol, wind awareness, points of sail, tacking, gybing and Crew Overboard Recovery will be covered.
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9:00am to 12:00pm or 1:00pm to 4:00pm; 1 week scheduled at your convenience
Girls and boys entering 5th through 12th grade; 2 to 4 sailors per boat
$1400
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BOY SCOUT PROGRAMS
What is radar used for? Tigers participate in sensory observations and exercises pertaining to the weather and environment. They go on a Beach Cleanup Treasure Hunt, learning what items should be disposed of and what can be recycled. They then look at maritime transportation options and don PFDs to take a ride on a 21' Crosby launch for a short tour of the West Harbor in Oyster Bay. Complete Achievement # 5 & electives # 41, # 33 and # 47.
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By arrangement; April – November
1.5 hours
$120 up to 12 scouts ($10 per additional child, maximum group size of 15)
The Wolf Cubs explore the beach and help clean up litter as we promote positive stewardship for the environment. They also identify shells, rocks, and plant life during the educational walk. Wolf Cubs build their own boats from recyclables and compete in a fun "rain gutter" regatta. Complete Achievement # 6a and # 7c, and electives # 5g.
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By arrangement, rain or shine
1.5 hours
$120 up to 12 scouts ($10 per additional child, maximum group size of 15)
Bear Cubs create their own model boat from a kit. Using their creativity, imagination and problem solving skills, they also design and build their own boat using a variety of household items and craft materials, and test it in our indoor "harbor." Complete Achievement # 21.
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By arrangement, rain or shine
1.5 hours
$144 up to 12 scouts ($12 per additional child, maximum group size of 15)
Sailors, fishermen, hikers and cowboys have always been dependent on lines and knots for their livelihood and safety. Bear Cubs learn the importance of lines and their functions on boats. They whip the ends of a line, learn to tie different knots, learn how to keep a line from tangling, coil a line, and perform magic! All scouts take home their own special line for practice. Complete Achievement # 22.
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By arrangement, rain or shine
1.5 hours
$120 up to 12 scouts ($10 per additional child, maximum group size 15)
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GIRL SCOUT PROGRAMS
While reading a wonderful story, a collection of matching shells is created. This helps the Daisy Scouts begin the identification process before they go "shelling" in large tubs filled with soft sand and a wide variety of shells. The girls use their senses to compare and contrast shells. Connections are made from the non-living to the living as participants explore a touch tank with live animals. Weather and time permitting, programs done on site conclude with a beach walk.
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By arrangement; rain or shine
1.5 hours
$120 for up to 15 scouts ($8 per additional child, maximum group size 22)
Learn about the water cycle and the importance of water conservation. Through hands-on experiments, Brownies investigate the differences between salt water and fresh water. Utilizing creative dramatics, the participants visually explore the effects different sources of pollution have on bodies of water. On-site programs conclude with a beach clean-up walk to explore the seashore and gain a heightened understanding of the importance of being good stewards of our earth.
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By arrangement; rain or shine
2 hours
$120 for up to 12 scouts ($10 per additional child, maximum group size 22)
Ocean water covers about 3/4 of our planet. How does the ocean circulate? How does the ocean affect our weather? What kind of life does a North Shore Long Island estuary support? Brownies will find the answers to these and other questions through experimentation and hands-on habitat studies.
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By arrangement; rain or shine
1.5 hours
$120 for up to 15 scouts ($8 per additional child, maximum group size 22)
Where does the water you drink actually come from? What is brackish water? What organisms are at the bottom of the food chain? The Junior Girl Scouts investigate these questions and others by taking water samples from various sites on the estuary and examining the contents under microscopes and magnifiers. They conduct experiments to learn about the properties of water. A touch tank of animals typically found in the Bay is presented. A shoreline clean-up is performed to demonstrate how human choices can directly impact wildlife.
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By arrangement; rain or shine
2 hours
$120 for up to 12 scouts ($10 per additional child, maximum group size 22)
Welcome to the sport of sailing! Using 19' to 23' keelboats, Junior Girl Scouts participate in a three-hour introductory sailing lesson on beautiful Oyster Bay. Topics covered include parts of the boat, nautical terms, sail handling, steering the boat, wind awareness, and safety procedures.
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By arrangement; May – October
3 hours
$140 per boat; up to 4 participants per boat
While sailing aboard the historic oyster sloop Christeen, Junior Girl Scouts become the crew, raise the sails, coil lines and learn about the history of Oyster Bay, as well as the oyster industry. Then the Scouts learn how to tie knots, participate in a sensory awareness exercise and explore a touch tank with animals from the Bay. Weather permitting, the girls practice two water safety positions off the boat: the HELP (Heat Escape Lessening Position) and the Huddle.
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By arrangement; May – October
2 hours
24 passengers (including adult chaperones)
$375
In kayaks, under the supervision of an experienced instructor, Cadettes complete the category of Skill Builders #2 and its activities for the Paddle, Pole, and Roll Interest Project. Girls experience how to safely balance, start, stop, turn and beach the kayak. Cadettes learn about recovering after swamping the boat or falling out. The instructor leads the girls on a guided tour around the shoreline of beautiful Oyster Bay, a National Wildlife Refuge.
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By arrangement; June – October
2 hours
16, no tag-a-longs
$240 up to 8 scouts ($30 per additional child)
Cadette Girl Scouts participate in groups of four sailing 19' to 23' sailboats with an experienced sailing instructor. Girls complete the category of Skill Builders and two additional activities towards the Smooth Sailing Interest Project by learning to rig the sails, leave from and return to the mooring, steer the boat, trim the sails and determine wind direction. Safety and emergency procedures are covered, as well as weather awareness and some navigational skills. Arrangements can be made to complete the interest project at a later date.
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By arrangement; May – October
3 hours
$140 per boat (up to 4 participants per boat)
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HIGH SCHOOL SAILING
The WaterFront Center is proud to offer the only open-access High School Sailing Program on Long Island! Middle School and High School students are invited to join and experience race training in our new fleet of 420s. Whether you are new to sailing or have been racing for years, High School Sailing is an excellent extra-curricular activity and sport that can extend your junior summer season and prepare you for joining a college team. Enjoy fleet and team racing in 420s and Lasers, bring your team or sail with ours! We provide the fleet, coaching, safety boats, scheduling, regatta support and can help you get a sanctioned team started for your school.
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The fall season extends from Labor Day to November, and the spring season runs March to June.
Monday - Friday after school - 3:30 to 6:00 or dusk. Saturdays and Sundays from 1pm to 4pm.
click title or photo for more info
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PRIVATE SAILING & KAYAK LESSONS
The WaterFront Center offers a variety of programs suited to young sailors of all abilities. As a US SAILING accredited facility, we offer the highest standard of quality instruction and facilities. Whether you are a beginner or seasoned racer, interested in dinghies, keelboats or cruising, the WaterFront Center has an experience for you.
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Arranged at your convenience
$120 for 2 hours, $50 each additional hour
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