Youth Maritime Programs
Our Goal
Our work with youth is at the center of our mission—to create powerful maritime experiences that educate and inspire people to adventure. We are teaching a whole new generation of sailors to appreciate our maritime heritage and preserve our traditions, while inspiring kids to discover their own adventures.
Summer Programs
In NWMC youth summer camps, kids can experience maritime life in many ways, from dinghy sailboats and rowboats to marine life. We have 7 weeks of summer day camps for kids ages 5 to 17.
Girls' Boat Project
Women and Girls’ programs at Northwest Maritime Center welcome those who identify as women and girls regardless of assignment at birth. These programs also welcome people who identify as non-binary or gender nonconforming and want to be in a female-centered environment.
For girls age 11-14 (6th to 8th grade)
In the Girls’ Boat Project, middle school students gain skills and have fun in the maritime trades. They learn woodworking and boat building techniques in our Boatshop as they create their own projects and help build a small boat. The program is led by female role models from our Northwest Maritime Center staff who are skilled in woodworking, boat building and other maritime skills.
This Winter, the program will be focused land based skills. During the spring session, there will be some additional on water learning as the students prepare to launch their boat! Learn more on our blog or contact our Program Manager, Chrissy McLean, at Chrissy@nwmaritime.org.
High School Sailing Team
High School Sailing Team — Spring Season
Development Team
Tuesday, March 12–Thursday, May 30
3:30 PM–6:30 PM | Cost: $385 non-member, $346.50 member
Extended season with more practice sessions in 2024—12 weeks, 24 practice sessions! Open to Port Townsend, Chimacum, and West Sound Academy high school students, the Port Townsend High School Sailing team is an extremely successful and positive program that has sent some of our local sailors to district and national competitions. They sail in the spring on 420s, FJs, and Lasers. Their motto is, “Sail Fast and Have Fun!” Many team members become sailing instructors in our summer youth camps. The sailing team is split into two groups, the development for sailors new to the sport and the travel teams for sailors who are ready to compete.
Spring Development Team is the introductory program for sailors interested in joining the sailing team. This is a 12-week program running from March 12 through May 30 for sailors 13 and up looking to develop basic sailing and race skills. Our summer Youth Learn to Sail camps are a suggested prerequisite.
There will be a pre-practice meeting for this team on Friday, February 9, at the Northwest Maritime Center campus.
Over the 12 weeks, we will be on the water as much as possible practicing in FJs and 420s. We will work on building the skills necessary to compete in fleet and team racing—ranging from perfecting a roll tack, understanding the racing rules of sailing, nailing a start, and gaining a sense of the tactics and strategy necessary to sailboat racing.
Practices for the Development Team will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 PM–6:30 PM. We look forward to seeing you out on the water!
NWMC is proud to offer scholarships to those facing financial barriers so everyone can have the opportunity to learn with us, regardless of financial circumstances. People will not be turned away due to lack of funds. To apply for a scholarship for this program, please complete our scholarship application form during the registration process.
Course Details:
- Prerequisites: None required, but our Youth Learn to Sail camps are suggested prerequisites.
- For Ages: 13–18
- Duration: 3 hours per practice, 2 times a week, for 12 weeks
- Pre-practice Info meet: For families and students on Friday, February 9, at the Northwest Maritime Center campus.
High School Sailing Team — Spring Season
Travel Team
Tuesday, February 27–Friday, May 31
4–6:30 PM | Cost: $575 non-member, $525.55 member
Extended season with more practice sessions in 2024—14 weeks, 42 practice sessions!
Open to Port Townsend, Chimacum, and West Sound Academy high school students, the High School Sailing team is an extremely successful and positive program that has sent some of our local sailors to district and national competitions. They sail in the spring on 420s, FJs, and Lasers. Their motto is, “Sail Fast and Have Fun!” Many team members become sailing instructors in our summer youth camps.
High School Sailing Travel Team is a 14-week program running from February 27 through May 31 and is open to sailors who have been on the team previously or have the coaches' invitation to move up from the Development Team.
There will be a pre-season meeting for this team on Friday, February 16, at the Northwest Maritime Center campus.
Over these 14 weeks, we will be on the water as much as possible practicing in FJs and 420s. We will perfect the skills necessary to compete in fleet and team racing—ranging from perfecting a roll tack, understanding the racing rules of sailing, nailing a start, and gaining a sense of the tactics and strategy necessary to sailboat racing. There are many opportunities for the team to attend local and district-wide regattas most weekends this Spring, coach Darby will provide the regatta schedule at the pre-season meeting.
Practices for the Travel Team will run Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 3:30 PM–6:30 PM.
NWMC is proud to offer scholarships to those facing financial barriers so everyone can have the opportunity to learn with us, regardless of financial circumstances. People will not be turned away due to lack of funds. To apply for a scholarship for this program, please complete our scholarship application form during the registration process.
Course Details:
- Prerequisites: Previous member of the Travel Team or an invitation from coaches to move up from the Development Team.
- For Ages: 13–18
- Duration: 3 hours per practice, 3 times a week, for 24 weeks
- Pre-practice meet: Friday, February 16, at the Northwest Maritime Center campus.
“I like being trusted, bonding with our team, and having to work a little bit. We had to figure things out for ourselves, which I really enjoy.”
—Blue Heron 7th Grader
Thank you, Wilder Auto, for sponsoring youth scholarships!