About our staff
Everyone at Boating in Boston's Boating is FUN Camp is crazy about boating, from our instructors and supervisors, right up to the guy at the top, Michael Aghajanian. We really love having adventures on the water and we're excited to share the fun...
We're also very serious about safety
Our camp directors and senior staff attend American Camp Association classes so they know how to run an amazing (and safe) camp for kids. We have two Red Cross CPR and First Aid instructors and all our staff have their CPR and First Aid Certification. We have four members certified by US Sailing and one certified US Sailing Instructor. Everyone is trained in small boat safety and more than half the crew are certified lifeguards.
All this certification isn’t left to go rusty and each summer, before everyone arrives, every crew member spends 3 days brushing up on lifeguarding, kayak safety (with the American Canoe Association), class management, child care protocols for camps and emergency protocols.
You won’t more safety conscious crew but more than that, the kids will find mentors in their camp leaders and will be having so much fun, they will learn more than they realize!
Some Important Information About Safety
All our camps have 1 instructor supervising every 7 children which means no one gets left out. We're actually pretty proud of the fact that we beat the state requirements (of 1 instructor to every 10 children). And every instructor is qualified, so we're pretty serious about supervision and safety. Yes siree.
Our camps must comply with regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (105 CMR 430.000) and are licensed and inspected by the local Board of Health. But the kids will be having so much fun; they won't even notice how safe they are.
That be all you need to know but if ye still have more questions, carouse yourself over our FAQ section below. You can also give us a call or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Questions About Camps
How much is Boating is FUN Camp?
Full Days are $399 and Half Days are $259. Full Days run from 9am to 4pm. Morning Half Days are 9am to 12pm and Afternoon Half Days are 1pm to 4pm. Extended Days are from 8am to 5pm for an additional $70 over the Full Day rate.
Are the Camps and licensed?
In one word... Yes! In some more words.... Boating in Boston camps must comply with regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (105 CMR 430.000) and are licensed and inspected by the local Board of Health.
Are the Instructors qualified?
You can rest assured knowing that all our camp counselors are qualified with at least CPR and First Aid certification but most are Red Cross lifegaurd certified. Their training from the American Canoe Association and US Sailing is always up to date and we make sure we have at least 1 lifeguard or instructor assigned to every 7 campers.
What are the Achievement Awards?
We love to recognize the kids for a job well done (and they love it too) and so we offer Achievement Awards at the end of every camp. These are based on the skills the kids learn during camp and are completely voluntary, but the kids get a buzz when they can show of their accomplishments. (These Awards also help us work out the skill levels before kids sign up to the more advanced camps.)
Sailing Achievement Awards:
- Deck Hand
- Skipper
- Helmsman
Paddling Achievement Awards:
- Paddling
- Advanced Paddling
- Paddler Rescue
Do I have to book multiple weeks consecutively?
Not at all! You can book any weeks throughout the summer as well as mixing and matching the camps.
Just one example is:
- Week 1 – Boating is Fun
- Week 2 – Discover Paddling (or Start Sailing)
- Week 3 – Discover Paddling (or Start Sailing) again because it was so much fun!
Can we enroll in different camps on the same day?
You sure can! We have designed the camps to be mixed and matched so you could enroll in just one camp for each day (or half day), or choose something more challenging and to do a different camp between morning and afternoon!
What if we've enrolled for a camp and it rains?
We run the camps rain or shine so you don't need to worry about some weather going and spoiling the fun. If it does get a bit crazy, we've got loads of inside landlubber games and activities that will tucker them out just as much.
Does my child have to be a great swimmer to enjoy the Boating is Fun Camp?
- Hopkinton and Stoneham:
We ask parents to certify that campers are able to swim 50 yards and tread water for 1 minute; this statement is included in our waiver. We recommend campers are Red Cross Swim Level 4 or equivalent. - UMass Boston:
We ask parents for PROOF that their campers can swim 50 yards and tread water for 1 minute. We accept the following:- Red Cross Swim Level 4
- YMCA Guppy level
- Boy Scout Swimming Merit Badge or Lifesaving Merit Badge
- Or a letter from a certified Red Cross / YMCA lifeguard stating they can swim 50 yards and tread water for 1 minute.
- However if the child cannot swim to that level yet and is enrolled in swimming lessons or has passed a lesser level we will still allow them in camp, however we will put them in a more stable boat with a lifeguard supervising them.
Are campers allowed to swim?
You can’t have all that water around and not allow swimming BUT swimming is only allowed in certain areas and only when there is a lifeguard there to supervise. Even if they don’t swim, they’re going get plenty wet with games, capsizing skills and the general splashing that always happens. So there are no worries about that!
What should we pack for camp?
During the day the kids are going to be tearing around outside (and sometimes inside) so to make sure they are fully equipped for their pirate adventure, campers should arrive with:
- Water bottle
- Swimsuit and towel
- Hat
- Waterproof Sunscreen 15+ already applied
- Sunscreen in their bag so they can put some more on later
- Sunglasses
- Closed toe water shoes or sneakers (no flip flops!)
- Raingear (if it looks like it might rain)
- Lunch in an insulated bag (for full and extended day campers) - snacks and drinks may be purchased from the boathouse
- And a sense of adventure!!!
What paperwork do I need for the Camp?
Before camp starts it’s important we get some documents from you. Mail or fax them to us.
- Waiver {phocadownload view=file|id=26|target=b}
- {phocadownload view=file|id=23|target=b} (a copy of school form is fine)
Mail:
Fax:
Can I review the counselors background checks, camp health care policy, disipline and grievance policies?
Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the request of what you would like to go over or ask our camp director when you are dropping your kids off! We have no problems with parents reviewing this information and welcome it.
What if I have more questions?
Just give us a call at 617-299-3392 or drop us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . We’d love to have a chat about the camps, the lessons, the memberships, the boats, the staff .... well we’d love to chat about anything you like!
I need your Tax ID number for my taxes!
Here it is 10-000-7503.
What if I need to cancel?
We know that life is full of surprises and we understand that sometimes things just happen and you'll need to cancel your plans with us. And with the unplanned in mind, we've put together the ins and outs of how we handle cancellations.
If you have any questions or you want to let us know that your plans have changed, you can leave a message at (508) 435-3965 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
For more details on our cancellation policy and fees, click here.