This summer camp program includes a full day of sailing and nature exploration!

Feel the wind move you along the water as you learn how to sail under the watchful eye of Lake Quassapaug Sailing Center’s certified instructors and explore the rich diversity of Flanders’ Whittemore Sanctuary on daily hikes and educational expeditions led by experienced naturalists

The sailing half of the day is an introduction to basic safety, seamanship, and boat handling on the water with a focus on developing independence and confidence. Skills taught will include understanding the parts of the boat, water safety, wind direction, rigging, knots, and sailing up and down wind. All sailing skill levels are accommodated. Younger campers will sail the Optimist dinghies (Group 1) and older campers will sail the 420 dinghies (Group 2). Kayaks will be used on days without wind.

Campers will enjoy exploring the land around the water in the Whittemore Sanctuary and its wetland habitat. Animal tracking, scavenger hunts, fishing and investigating the plants, animals and birds in and out of the water, will be part of this nature program helping kids to make the connection of the value of open space and responsible land use to issues like water quality for recreation and daily usage.

All skill levels. For Sailors less than 110 lbs. Participants will begin their sailing experience in QSC’s Optimist dinghies, with an introduction to basic safety, seamanship, and boat handling on the water. Each boat will be sailed by only one student. Skills taught will include understanding the parts of the boat, water safety, understanding wind direction, rigging, knots, and sailing up and down wind - with a focus on developing independence and confidence.

Advance sailors will be taught more complex sailing skills like Sail Trim, position and effects of body placement and movement.

More experience sailors will be taught the basics of racing.

*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 used by high school and college sailing teams and in many youth competitions.A larger class of boat designed to be sailed by both a skipper and crew, it is best suited for sailors over 100 lbs, and with previous experience in Optimist Dinghy sailing. while also appropriate for older novice students. All Skill levels welcome. Skills taught will include rigging, efficient sailing, upwind and downwind sailing, and boat handling.

This is also a great program for experienced Sailors to advance their boat handling skills, and the use additional equipment. They will become more comfortable with the physics of sailing as well, practicing rudderless sailing, mastering roll tacking, and gybing. Advance sailors will be taught more complex sailing skills such as sail trim, position and the effects of body placement and movement.

More experienced sailors will learn to improve their racing skills, becoming more comfortable with a racing start, rules, and protest situations.

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 Counselor Candidates must have reached their 16th birthday in the calendar year that the summer camp is being held in.
2.	JCs 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.
2.	US Sailing Small Boat Instructor Level 1 or US Sailing Counselor.
3.	CT Safe Boating & Personal Watercraft Certificate.

Helpful certifications:

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

To apply for a Junior Counselor 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.