This full-day camp combines sailing and nature exploration in a unique summer adventure! Campers will spend half the day learning to sail on Lake Quassapaug and the other half exploring Flanders’ Whittemore Sanctuary through hikes and hands-on ecology activities.

The sailing portion introduces basic safety, seamanship, and boat handling, with an emphasis on confidence and independence. Campers will learn to identify boat parts, understand wind direction, rig sails, tie knots, and sail upwind and downwind. All skill levels are welcome. Younger campers (Group 1) sail Optimist dinghies, and older campers (Group 2) sail 420s. On low-wind days, kayaks are used.

Nature activities include animal tracking, scavenger hunts, fishing, and wetland exploration, fostering an appreciation of open space, biodiversity, and the importance of environmental stewardship for water quality and land use.

This full-day sailing program is designed for younger campers who are ready to take the helm. The program is structured to gradually build independence, with beginners often starting in pairs and working toward confidently sailing solo.

Campers will be introduced to the core principles of sailing, including water safety, wind direction, rigging and de-rigging, knot tying, and how to sail both upwind and downwind. Lessons are taught through a mix of on-the-water instruction, games, drills, and hands-on learning, with plenty of time for fun.

All skill levels are welcome. First-time sailors will focus on the basics of seamanship and boat handling, while returning or more advanced campers will refine their techniques and build toward more complex skills, such as sail trim, body positioning, and maneuvering efficiently. Those with experience will also be introduced to the basics of racing, including starts, rules, and tactics.

*If your child is 12 years old, over 5 ft. tall and over 110 lbs., they may be better suited for the 420 program.

A great trainer for older, larger participants, the 420 dinghy is a fast, two-person sailboat designed for teamwork and used widely in youth, high school, and college sailing programs. With a larger sail area and more complex rigging than the Optimist, it offers an ideal next step for sailors over 100 lbs with prior experience—while also welcoming older beginners.

Campers sail in pairs as skipper and crew, learning to communicate effectively while developing their seamanship and sailing skills. Instruction includes rigging and de-rigging, upwind and downwind technique, efficient boat handling, and safety. Campers will become more comfortable with the physics of sailing, practicing rudderless sailing and mastering maneuvers like roll tacking and jibing.

This program offers a pathway to more advanced sailing, including the use of additional equipment such as trapezes and spinnakers. While not focused on competition, basic racing concepts may be introduced in a relaxed, optional format for interested sailors.

The Junior Instructor role at Quassapaug Sailing Center is an exciting opportunity for young individuals aged 16-18 to gain hands-on experience in outdoor education and sailing instruction. This position is ideal for those who are passionate about sailing and eager to develop their leadership and teaching skills in a dynamic and supportive environment.

In addition to aiding with sailing instruction, Junior Instructors will also have the opportunity to assist the Naturalist Instructor with various land-based activities. This includes participating in and supporting the Trails program, where they will help in guiding and educating campers about the natural environment, including activities like hiking, animal tracking, and ecological education

Qualifications:

1.	Junior Instructor Candidates must have reached their 16th birthday in the calendar year that the summer camp is being held in.
2.	JIs must commit to attending the pre-camp training week and a minimum of 4 weeks, or more of camp.

Required Certifications:

1.	CPR/AED/First Aid (Adult & Pediatric)
2.	US Sailing Small Boat Instructor Level 1 or US Sailing Counselor.
3.	CT Safe Boating & Personal Watercraft Certificate (NASBLA approved)*

Helpful certifications:

1.	Red Cross Lifeguarding with Waterfront Skills.
2.	Scouts or American Canoe Assoc. (ACA) paddling certification (or equivalent).

To apply for a Junior Instructor Position, please send to [email protected] a resume of relevant experiences, and a short essay on why you are interested in this position and what you intend to give to it and gain from it.

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Campers must bring/wear the following to camp:

1.	Personal Flotation Device (Type III USCG approved NON-INFLATABLE life jacket). PFDs MUST be worn at ALL times on the water or near the water. QSC provides PFDs, but many campers like bringing their own.
2.	Lunch and a Reusable Water Bottle
3.	Clothing: Campers will need a towel, swimsuits, a change of dry clothes, sunscreen and bug spray. Footwear must be closed-toe and waterproof rain/wind type jackets are recommended if inclement weather is predicted. We also encourage campers to bring a hat and sunglasses. Campers in the Sails & Trails programs should also bring shoes and clothes for hiking in the woods.
4.	Glasses: Campers who wear glasses should have a retainer strap for the glasses while sailing or kayaking.

Quassapaug Sailing Center provides educational scholarships to local youths to attend summer sailing classes.

The scholarships are awarded to students who have been successful in classes, have shown a spirit of community service, have an interest in sailing, but may not have the financial resources to participate in similar programs.

To be considered for a scholarship, please fill out our Scholarship Application. In a brief essay explain why you are applying for this scholarship, the benefits you hope to achieve in sailing, why you chose sailing over other sports, and any additional information that you may feel is important.

Application should be mailed to P.O. Box 231, Middlebury, CT 06762 no later than June 13th for consideration by the Board of Directors.

Refunds: QSC policy is no refunds for camp registrations. QSC will refund registration for camp cancelation due to COVID related restrictions from the Federal, State or Local goverments.

Forms: In order to attend camp, all campers must submit the following forms. Forms can be emailed to [email protected]

1.	Health Exam Record: Campers may use QSC's Youth Camp Health Exam or submit a State of Connecticut Department of Education Health Assessment Record signed by a physician in the last 36 months. Submission of this form is a CT State requirement, your child can not attend camp without it.
2.	Liability Waiver & Emergency Contact Form: Campers must have a liability waver and emergency contact form signed by their Parent/Guardian to attend.

	Please Note:
*	Participants must be comfortable swimming in a lifejacket in order to go sailing or kayaking. A swim test will be given (in a lifejacket).
*	Camp will assemble on the back deck of the QSC, rain or shine.
*	Participants should not arrive more than 10 minutes before camp and should be picked up promptly at the end of camp.