Summer Camps
Registration for 2023 classes is open!
Sailing & On-the-Water Youth Summer Camps
We have 9 weeks of summer day camps for kids—all of them on boats. Kids can experience maritime life in many ways, from dinghy sailboats and rowboats to marine life. Summer camps are divided into two programs—Messing About in Boats, for 5 to 10 year-olds, and Learn to Sail, for 8 to 16 year-olds.
Class Descriptions
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Messing About in Boats
Lil Scuppers (Morning and Afternoon Half-day Camps)
July 5-7, July 10-14, July 17-21, July 24-28, July 31-August 4, August 7-11, August 14-18, August 21-25
Morning Camp 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Afternoon Camp 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Cost: 3-day – $175, $153 member | 5-day – $285, $256 member
Lil Scuppers is our maritime summer camp for the youngest campers, ages 5–7. Kids start with a morning circle, reading or singing. Afterward, they get out on the boats (weather dependent, of course)! They might row, sail, or drive a power boat. It's a joy to see a six-year-old's face light up when they realize they are the one steering the boat! Campers also explore the beaches and enjoy scavenger hunts. There is so much fun packed into this 3-hour camp! Curious where the name, "Lil Scuppers," comes from? Well, when water comes on board a deck, it runs out the scuppers. Much like the water, the experiences flow through the kids and out the scuppers, leaving them doused with fun experiences exposing them to life in the maritime world. Morning classes run from 9 AM to 12 PM. Afternoon classes run from 1 PM to 4 PM.
Junior Discoverers
July 5-7, July 10-14, July 17-21, July 24-28, July 31-August 4, August 7-11, August 14-18
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Cost: 3-day – $270, $243 member | 5-day – $450, $405 member
Experience the sea in this one-of-a-kind summer camp! Jr. Discoverers offers a multitude of ways for kids ages 7–10 to experience maritime life this summer in a fun, hands-on way. From our home in Point Hudson, kids enter the maritime world by exploring the beach, heading out to sea in rowboats, powerboats, and sailboats, and learning about the creatures that live in and around the sea—they even get to spend one day at the Marine Science Center. It's not your typical summer camp! Our staff is skilled mariners who love to have fun and share their passion for messing about in boats. All instructors are trained in CPR & FA. Class minimum is 4 and maximum is 10, and runs from 9 AM to 4 PM.
Junior Pirates
August 21-25
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Cost: $450, $405 member
Experience the sea in this one-of-a-kind summer camp! Jr. Pirates is a popular end to our summer season for kids ages 7–10 —complete with costumes, lessons about famous pirates, and a good old-fashioned treasure hunt! All while sailing, rowing and exploring our local waters and beaches. Our staff are skilled mariners who love to have fun and share their passion for messing about in boats. All instructors are trained in CPR & FA. Class minimum is 4 and maximum is 10, and runs from 9 AM to 4 PM.
Learn to Sail
A year-round windy bay, skilled sailing instructors, and a beautiful waterfront location on the Northwest Maritime Center dock combine to make our sailing lessons for youth some of the best in the region.
Since the early 1990s, our sailing instructors have taught hundreds of people to sail on Port Townsend Bay. In 2006, NWMC and Jefferson County YMCA expanded the fleet to offer new Optimist Dinghies, the most popular learning dinghy in the world. Recently the NWMC has added FJs to the fleet—which are two-person planning hull dinghies. These boats are safe, fast, and fun! In diverse and challenging waters, our excellent instructors teach competent sailing for all conditions. This is the perfect place to introduce your child to sailing or take their skills to the next level. And for the advanced sailors, we have added 420s to our High School Sailing Team fleet. Our sailing classes are ideal for teaching young sailors the skills of boat handling and racing.
Beginner Sailing
July 10-14, July 17-21, July 31-August 4, August 7-11, August 14-18, August 21-25
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Cost: $385, $346.50 member
New Expanded Hours for 2023! Beginner Sailing is our fun introduction to basic sailing skills. On "capsize day" kids learn in a controlled setting that they are capable of capsizing their boat and getting it upright again. By the end of the class, students should also be able to identify boat parts, rig and de-rig their boat, feel comfortable steering, and demonstrate wind awareness and points of sail. Depending upon the comfort level and size of the student, they will be sailing in either Optis or FJs. Class minimum is 4 and maximum is 10 and runs from 9am to 3pm. These are popular classes so we ask that you sign your child up for a maximum of 3 Learn-to-Sail classes this summer.
Girls’ Beginner Sailing
July 24-28
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Cost: $385, $346.50 member
New Expanded Hours for 2023! A girls sailing class! Beginner Sailing is our fun introduction to basic sailing skills. On "capsize day" kids learn in a controlled setting that they are capable of capsizing their boat and getting it upright again. By the end of the class, students should also be able to identify boat parts, rig and de-rig their boat, feel comfortable steering, and demonstrate wind awareness and points of sail. Depending upon the comfort level and size of the student, they will be sailing in either Optis or FJ's. Class minimum is 4 and maximum is 10. These are popular classes so we ask that you sign your child up for a maximum of 3 Learn-to-Sail classes this summer. 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.
NEW! 3 Day Beginner Intensive
July 5-7
9:00 AM – 4:30 PM | Cost: $285, $256.50 member
New for 2023! Our 3 day Intensive Beginner Sailing is our fun introduction to basic sailing skills. On "capsize day" kids learn in a controlled setting that they are capable of capsizing their boat and getting it upright again. By the end of the class, students should also be able to identify boat parts, rig and de-rig their boat, feel comfortable steering, and demonstrate wind awareness and points of sail. Depending upon the comfort level and size of the student, they will be sailing in either Optis or FJs. Class minimum is 4 and maximum is 10 and runs from 9 AM to 4:30 PM. These are popular classes so we ask that you sign your child up for a maximum of 3 Learn-to-Sail classes this summer.
Intermediate Sailing
July 10-14, July 17-21, July 24-28, July 31- August 4, August 7-11
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Cost: $385, $346.50 member
New Expanded Hours for 2023! Intermediate Sailing is for students who have taken our Beginner Sailing class and have been recommended for Intermediate Sailing. Students in this class must feel comfortable with skills such as: sailing alone, managing tiller hand exchanges, and capsizing. Students can perfect their skills on boats that are forgiving with instructors standing by in chase boats. If you do not know if your child is ready for Intermediate Sailing, please call and ask our registrar at 360.385.3628 x1. Students will sail in Optis, FJs, and 420s, determined by the instructor. Class minimum is 4 and maximum is 12 and runs from 9 AM to 3 PM. These are popular classes so we ask that you sign your child up for a maximum of 3 Learn-to-Sail classes this summer.
Beginner Sailing is a prerequisite.
Girls’ Intermediate Sailing
August 14-18
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Cost: $385, $346.50 member
New Expanded Hours for 2023! A girls' sailing class! Intermediate Sailing is for students who have taken our Beginner Sailing class and have been recommended for Intermediate Sailing. Students in this class must feel comfortable with skills such as: sailing alone, managing tiller hand exchanges, and capsizing. Students can perfect their skills on boats that are forgiving with instructors standing by in chase boats. If you do not know if your child is ready for Intermediate Sailing, please call and ask our registrar at 360.385.3628 x117. Students will sail in Optis, FJs, and 420s, determined by the instructor. Class minimum is 4 and maximum is 12. These are popular classes so we ask that you sign your child up for a maximum of 3 Learn-to-Sail classes this summer. 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 non-conforming and want to be in a female-centered environment. This class runs from 9 AM to 3 PM.
Beginner Sailing is a prerequisite.
NEW! 3 Day Intermediate Intensive
July 5-7
9:00 AM – 4:30 PM | Cost: $285, $256.50 member
New for 2023! This is a fun, immersive, full-day Intermediate Sailing Class for those students who really love sailing! Students should already be able to capsize, sail an Opti alone, tack, and jibe. With instructors and safety boats standing by, students will get to experience twice the fun and twice the instruction while sailing farther. Bring your lunch, drinks, and snacks. Students will sail in Optis, FJs and 420s, determined by the instructor. Class minimum is 6 and maximum is 12. There will be one 3-day Intensive and one full 5-day course. These are popular classes so we ask that you sign your child up for a maximum of 3 Learn-to-Sail classes this summer. This class is an excellent follow up to the 1/2 day Intermediate class; it should not be the student's first class at this level. This class runs from 9 AM to 4:30 PM.
Beginner Sailing is a prerequisite.
Full Day Advanced
August 21-25
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Cost: $450, $405 member
Back for 2023! Full Day Advanced Sailing is for students who have taken our Beginner & Intermediate Sailing classes and were recommended for Advanced Sailing. Students in this class must be able to do all the skills of the Beginner and Intermediate Sailing classes. Students will explore advanced sailing such as buoy racing, Port Townsend Bay distance sailing, and other advanced technical sailing skills. Class minimum is 4 and maximum is 12. These are popular classes so we ask that you sign your child up for a maximum of 3 Learn-to-Sail classes this summer. This class runs from 9 AM to 4 PM.
Beginner Sailing and Intermediate Sailing are prerequisites.
Youth Program Scholarships
NWMC is proud to offer scholarships to those facing financial barriers, youth service organizations, schools and underserved youth, so everyone can have the opportunity to learn with us, regardless of financial circumstances.
Scholarships are supported in part by the generous support of Wilder Auto. To apply for a scholarship for youth or adult programs, please complete our scholarship application form during the registration process.
If you are in a position to pay more than the suggested price for a youth program, additional funds will contribute directly to making youth programs more widely accessible. Please contact our registrar directly at registrar@nwmaritime.org or 360.385.3628 x1.