Junior Summer Programs & Camp
Our Junior Summer Program & Camp has exciting updates! 🌊 This revamped program combines our passion for sailing and marine exploration into full-day two-week camp sessions. Plus, we’re continuing to offer our popular half-day sailing programs and competitive summer race teams—perfect for every young adventurer on the water! ⛵✨
With our new two-week format, participants will have more time on the water to develop their sailing skills in different wind and weather conditions. They’ll also dive deeper into STEM-based learning, featuring hands-on lessons from US Sailing’s REACH curriculum, which connects sailing with science, technology, engineering, and math. Plus, each session will follow Ocean Literacy Principles, helping them understand and appreciate the marine environment while having an exciting and enriching summer experience.
Registration is Open!
Session Dates:
Plan ahead and secure your spot for an unforgettable summer adventure! The Junior Summer Program is organized into two-week sessions, running Monday through Friday.
Session 1: June 30 – July 3 (4 days, no programs on July 4)
Session 2: July 7 – July 18
Session 3: July 21 – August 1
Session 4: August 4 – August 15
Junior Summer Programs
Sailing & Marine Exploration
⏰ Time: 9 AM – 4 PM
🍴 Lunch: 12 PM – 1 PM (Packed lunch required)
Bay Buccaneers*
Grades: 1st & 2nd
-
Description:
Bay Buccaneers explore beach habitats and meet marine animals as they develop an awareness of the ecosystem around them. Your child will learn about marine life in Oyster Bay through seining, touch tanks, marine scavenger hunts, and other hands-on activities. Our instructors use thematic-based learning to highlight environmental concepts with stories, nature crafts, outdoor exploration, and STEM-based projects.Each week introduces new topics based on the 7 Principles of Ocean Literacy to build a stronger connection to the water in our explorers!
Visit our Explorers' Weekly Activity Schedule to see a full list of activities and how they relate to each week's theme.
Each week of Bay Bucs includes a cruise aboard Oyster Sloop CHRISTEEN or IDA MAY, our historic flagship vessels. *weather permitting
Grade Level:
Recommended for incoming 1st and 2nd Graders*Schedule Options:
• AM Classes: 9:00am – 12:00pm
• PM Classes: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
• AM & PM Class: 9:00am - 4:00pm (Lunch period included; food not provided)Prices:
• First Week: $300 (4-days)
• $700 per 2-weeks for a half-day session.Recommend Class Pairing:
• Bay Buccaneers | AM/PM
• Lil Puffs Sailing Program | AMTwo options for Full day:
• $1400 per 2-weeks for AM & PM Bay Buccaneers
• $1510 per 2-weeks for AM Lil Puffs Sailing Program & PM Bay Buccaneers
Sound Swashbucklers
Grades: 3rd & 4th
-
Description:
Join the Sound Swashbucklers for a week of Marine Exploration and Sailing! Children will spend half their day sailing on WFC sailboats, learning fundamental sailing skill. The other half will be spent as Marine Explorers engaging with wildlife, exploring local habitats, marine ecosystems, and STEM based projects.Each week features new themes based on the 7 Principles of Ocean Literacy.
Activities also include a weather-dependent kayaking expedition and a CHRISTEEN/IDA MAY cruise for adventure and discovery. Join us for a week of fun and learning! *weather permitting
Grade Level:
Recommended for incoming 3rd and 4th GradersSchedule:
9:00am - 4:00pm (Lunch period included; food not provided)Price:
• First Session: $560 (4 days)
• 2-week sessions: $1400
First Mates
Grades: 5th & 6th
-
Description:
First Mates set sail on West Harbor in Optis or Hobie Catamarans, explore marshes and creeks, learn about local fish and wildlife, crew aboard CHRISTEEN, go kayaking, and more! Team activities foster an appreciation for the natural world while encouraging new friendships, teamwork, and skill-building.Each week features new themes based on the 7 Principles of Ocean Literacy.
Activities also include a weather-dependent kayaking expedition and a CHRISTEEN/IDA MAY cruise for adventure and discovery. Join us for a week of fun and learning! *weather permitting
Grade Level:
Recommended for incoming 5th and 6th GradersSchedule:
9:00am - 4:00pm (Lunch period included; food not provided)Price:
• First week: $560 (4-days)
• 2-week session: $1400
Skippers
Grades: 7th - 9th
-
Description:
Skippers deepen their understanding of the marine environment through hands-on experiments in oceanography, marine chemistry, and wildlife ecology. Fishing, kayaking, sailing, and dredging aboard Christeen and Ida May round out this immersive two-week experience.Each week features new themes based on the 7 Principles of Ocean Literacy.
Activities also include a weather-dependent kayaking expedition and a CHRISTEEN/IDA MAY cruise for adventure and discovery. Join us for a week of fun and learning! *weather permitting
Grade Level:
Recommended for incoming 7th - 9th GradersSchedule:
9:00 am - 4:00 pm (Lunch period included; food not provided)Price:
- First Week: $560 (4-days)
- 2- Week Session: $1,400
Click a session to register for Bay Buccaneers, SoundSwash Bucklers, First Mates, and Skippers:
Session 1: June 30 – July 3 (4 days, no camp on July 4)
Session 2: July 7 – July 18
Session 3: July 21 – August 1
Session 4: August 4 – August 15
Add your days / session(s)
Early Drop Off ($20/day) (8:30 am)
Late Pick Up ($35/day) (5pm)
Youth Summer Sailing Programs
AM PROGRAMS: 9am - 12pm
Lil Puffs
Grades: 1st - 2nd
-
Description:
This program is specifically designed for beginner and intermediate sailors. The C420 introduces the fundamentals of double-handed dinghy sailing. Participants will learn and develop their skills as both skipper and crew, providing a well-rounded sailing experience. After mastering the basics of C420 sailing, sailors will continue to refine their rigging, boat handling, and tactical skills.Each sailor may enroll in multiple sessions until they are ready to join the WFC c420 Race Team.
Grade Level:
Recommended for incoming 7th -12th GradersSchedule:
PM Classes: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Price:
• First Week: $356 (4-days)
• 2-Weeks: $890
Opti Beginner
Grades: 3rd - 6th
-
Description:
Opti Beginner is designed for children ages 8 to 13 who want to learn to sail and are ready to set the foundations of safety, seamanship, and sportsmanship. Variety, fun, and skill-building are the core of the curriculum, as well as capsize recovery and prevention. Games on the water and boating vocabulary are important parts of this class.Age Level:
Recommended for ages 8 – 13Schedule:
• AM Classes: 9:00 am – 12 pmPrice:
• First Week: $356 (4-days)
• 2-Weeks: $890*Please note classes may open up to more participants depending on instructor availability. Waitlist is available. The WaterFront Center reserves the right to remove any child from any class.
Adventure Sailing
Grades: 7th - 12th
-
Description:
Adventure Sailing teaches the fundamentals of sailing, safety on the water, and good seamanship in a casual, fun setting. This class taught on Hobie Waves and Getaways, is ideal for children who want time on the water exploring Oyster Bay Harbor while learning the fundamentals of sailing. Sailors will rotate between skippering and crewing to learn all aspects of seamanship.Grade Level:
Recommended for grades 7th-12thSchedule:
• AM Classes: 9:00 am – 12 pmPrice:
• First Week: $354 (4-days)
• 2-Weeks: $810
Click a session to register for AM Programs - Lil Puffs, Opti Beginner, and Adventure Sailing:
Session 1: June 30 – July 3 (4 days, no camp on July 4)
Session 2: July 7 – July 18
Session 3: July 21 – August 1
Session 4: August 4 – August 15
Add your days / session(s)
Early Drop Off ($20/day) (8:30 am)
Late Pick Up ($35/day) (5pm)
PM PROGRAMS: 1 pm - 4 pm
Opti Intermediate
Grades: 4th - 7th
-
Description:
Opti Intermediate is for sailors ages 8 to 15 who have successfully mastered sailing upwind or an equivalent program and are ready to move to the world of racing. As an introduction to our racing program, sailors focus on increasing their skills in the boat to prepare themselves for future regattas*In order to qualify for Opti Intermediate, Sailors must be able to sail alone upwind or have completed Opti Beginner with approval from their coach. The WaterFront Center reserves the right to remove any child from any class.
Grade Level:
Recommended for grades 4th - 7thSchedule:
PM Classes: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pmPrice:
• First Week: $356 (4-days)
• 2-Weeks: $890
C420 Open
Grades: 7th - 12th
Click a session to register for PM Programs - Opti Intermediate, C420 Open:
Session 1: June 30 – July 3 (4 days, no camp on July 4)
Session 2: July 7 – July 18
Session 3: July 21 – August 1
Session 4: August 4 – August 15
-
Description: Lil Puffs is the perfect introduction for our youngest sailors! With small class sizes and a focus on fun, this program builds confidence on the water while teaching the basics of sailing aboard Sonars. Sailors can enroll in multiple sessions until they are ready for or have aged into Opti Beginner.
Grade Level:
Recommended for incoming 1st and 2nd GradersSchedule:
AM Class: 9:00am – 12:00pmPrice:
First Week: $324 (4 days)
2-Weeks: $810
Add your days / session(s)
Early Drop Off ($20/day) (8:30 am)
Late Pick Up ($35/day) (5pm)
*ATTENTION NEW SAILING PARTICIPANTS Registration is not guaranteed. To ensure that participants are enrolled in the correct class all entrants will be reviewed by the Sailing Director and will not be finalized until approved. Refunds will be issued if the sailor cannot be reassigned to a proper skill level class. If you are unsure about the proper sailing class for your child, please give us a call.
Sailing Race Teams
Full Day, Grades 4th - 12th - Experience Required
Opti Race Team
Grades: 4th - 9th
-
Description:
Upon successful completion of Opti intermediate / C420 Open, and with the Sailing Director’s approval, sailors are ready to jump into our premier youth racing program. This program focuses on developing racing skills and techniques, which include race starts, strategy, tactics, advanced sail trim, and advanced boat handling. Sailors can advance onto our Opti Race Team and compete in the Green, White, Red, and Blue fleetsAt age 15, over 120 lbs and/or over 5ft 5in, sailors should move into the Club 420. They can either take an Intro to c420 Race class or jump right into the c420 Race Team.
Note: We believe that in order to train successful sailors, junior sailors should train in an Opti as long as possible. Please help us with that goal by encouraging your child to sail an Opti. The Opti is not only the largest sailing class in the world; it is the most competitive class for ages 15 and below.
Grade Level:
Recommended for incoming 4th - 9th GradersSchedule:
• Full-Day Class: 9:00am - 4:00pm (Lunch period included; food not provided)Price:
• First session: 3-weeks $1800
• Second session: 4-weeks $2400
• Full session: 7-weeks $3600
C420 Race Team
Grades: 7th - 12th
Click a session to register for Opti and C420 Teams:
Session 1: June 30 – July 18 (3-weeks)
Session 2: July 21 – August 15 (4-weeks)
Both Session: June 30 – August 15 (7-weeks)
-
Description:
Upon successful completion of the c420 Open and the approval of the Sailing Director, sailors can join the c420 Race Team. This program focuses on developing racing skills and techniques, including race starts, strategy, tactics, spinnaker trim, how to trapeze, and advanced boat handling. You may sign up as a team (skipper and crew) or individually. If you sign up as an individual, we will pair you with someone who meets the competitive crew weight (260-270 pounds) and your skill set. Boat ownership is not required.Grade Level:
Recommended for incoming 7th - 12th GradersSchedule:
• Full-Day Class: 9:00am - 4:00pm (Lunch period included; food not provided)Price:
• First session: 3-weeks $1800
• Second session: 4-weeks $2400
• Full session: 7-weeks $3600
Add your days / session(s)
Early Drop Off ($20/day) (8:30 am)
Late Pick Up ($35/day) (5pm)
Jr. Big Boat Race Team
Monday: 5:00 -8:00 pm
Wednesday: Race Night 5:00 - Dark
Navigation practice one extra day a week
Grades: 9th - 12th
-
Description:
Learn to race on one of our J/105s, a proven blue-water racer, that is the most successful one-design keelboat class in the world. Our top coaches will take your child's competitive sailing to the next level. The J/105 is the most prolific one-design keelboat class over 30' in the USA, with over 680 boats sailing worldwide.**Returning or Experienced Sailors Only** Enrolled sailors need to be reviewed based on their skill level and boating experience. Registrations will not be finalized until approved by the Sailing Director/Head Coach. Refunds will be issued if the sailor can not be reassigned to a proper skill-level class.
Grade Level:
Recommended for incoming 9th - 12th GradersSchedule:
• Monday: 5:00 -8:00 pm
• Wednesday: Race Night 5:00pm - Dark
• Navigation practice one extra day a weekFull Session Price: $950
Early Pick Up & Late Dropoff
Early Pick Up & Late Dropoff
Add your session(s)
Early Drop Off ($20/day) (8:30am)
Late Pick Up ($35/day) (5pm)
