Boating for First Time Buccaneers
For boating beginners, Ages 8 - 9
This skill level is the ultimate introduction to life on the high seas... ok and kayaking, canoeing, and sailing. Like all our camps, this is energetic with lots of games and sports both on and off the water. Every day is different and we focus on teamwork and building confidence as well as skills and fun. Lots and lots of fun.
The stuff they'll be learning includes:
| Terminology and Skills | Knots and Splicing | Safety | Points of Sail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parts of the Boat | Cleat knot | What to do in an Emergency | No Go Zone |
| Nautical Terminology | Bow Lin | What to do in a Capsize | Reaching |
| Water Safety | Coming About | ||
| Dressing for Boating Kayaking/Canoe (& we don't mean an eye patch) |
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| How to launch/land | |||
| Basic paddle strokes | |||
| Forward, Reverse and - Stop |
They won’t know what this all means now but they will at the end of the camp! They’ll also have lots of stories to tell and memories to keep.
Discover Paddling Skill Level
For kayaking beginners, Ages 8-15
This is an adventure filled skill level that introduces campers to kayaking. If they love being on the water (and don't mind getting wet) then they will really love this skill level.
The kids go out in single and tandem kayaks and sometimes we let them loose our 10-person Tripper Canoe. It's a good test of their skills, it's a sight to see, and is usually one of the most talked about events at the camp!
Like all our camps we teach safety, build confidence and practise teamwork through games and activities, both on the water and off it. By the end of this camp, they'll know their way around a kayak (and canoe) and how to paddle without getting themselves into trouble. They'll also have lots of stories to tell and memories to keep.
| Terminology and Skills | Knots and Splicing | Safety | Strokes and skills |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parts of the Boat | Cleat knot | What to do in an Emergency | Forward & Reverse |
| Nautical Terminology | Bow Lin | What to do in a Capsize | Low Brace |
| Tautline | General Water Safety | Emergency Stop | |
| Constrictor Knot | Dressing for Boating Kayaking/Canoe (& we don't mean an eye patch) |
Edging | |
| T-Rescue | Beaching |
Paddling Up Skill Level
For intermediate kayaking, Ages 9-15
After the Discover Paddling skill level, this is the next in line to kayaking adventure. This camp will teach your little kayaker new skills and refine the skills they already have with fun (but challenging) skill games. They can also do any of the Paddling Achievement Awards at the end of the camp.
| Terminology and Skills | Knots and Splicing | Safety | Strokes and skills |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parts of the Boat | Clove hitch | Wet Exit from the Kayak | Forward Sweep |
| Paddling equipment | Figure Eight | Self assist back in the Kayak | Reverse Sweep |
| Buntline Hitch | T-X Rescue | Emergency Stop | |
| Steering a steady course |
Start Sailing Me Hearties Skill Level
For sailing beginners, Ages 9-15
This skill level takes a landlubber and turns them into a sailor at ease, and it's perfect for first time deck hands (and future pirates) GARRRRR!
They will get to know their way around the rigging and running, and learn how to avoid trouble on the water. They'll learn to read the stars and the wind ... okay, maybe not the stars! They will also practise team work and independent tasks to build to their confidence on (and off) the water.
Every day is different and the kids can do the camps more than once. So if they did this one last summer, book in again for a fun refresher!
| Terminology and Skills | Knots and Splicing | Safety | Points of Sail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parts of the Boat | Cleat knot | What to do in an Emergency | No Go Zone |
| Nautical Terminology | Bow Lin | What to do in a Capsize | Reaching |
| Rigging and De-Rigging | Eye Splice | General Water Safety | Close Hauled |
| Pushing off | Back Splice | Dressing for Boating (we mean for safety not for fashion) |
Running |
| Landing | Knee Splice (we're just joking that's not really a knot) |
Running aground | |
| Coming About |
Your new pirate can choose to do the Skipper Achievement Award at the end of the camp. If they be daring enough .... AHAARR!
Sailing for Skippers Skill Level
For more experienced sailors, Ages 9-15
This is the skill level that turns deck hands into Captains. But be ye warned! Not everyone has the spirit for this daring adventure. But if your kids have some sailing experience or they've met the challenges of the Skipper Achievement Award and they are always champing at the bit to get out sailing ... well it sounds like they have adventure in the veins.
Every day is different and this is a perfect camp to come back to over and over again. Each week (and summer) your sailor will learn new skills but more importantly, they will develop their offshore decision-making and boost their comfort as their own captain.
| Terminology and Skills | Knots and Splicing | Safety | Points of Sail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Review Intro to Sailing | Figure Eight Knot | Review Intro to sailing | No Go Zone |
| Beating up wind | Clove hitch | Gybing | Reaching |
| Using a jib | Two ½ hitches on a bite | Man Overboard | Close Hauled |
| Using a Spinnaker | Eye Splice | Right of Way Rules | Running |
| Back Splice | Righting a capsize | Broad Reach |
To prove their worth on the sea, your new Captain can choose to do the Man Overboard, Jib and Spinnaker Achievement Awards at the end of the camp.
Still got questions? Check out our FAQ section, give us a call on (617) 299-3392 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Or head straight to the online enrollment and get ye pirate onboard for a summer of fun and adventure on the high seas.