Summer Camps

Registration for 2023 classes is open!

photo by Ashlyn Brown

The Classic Mariners’ Regatta is beautiful classic boats, high-caliber sailors racing their hearts out, and a friendly atmosphere. Since 1984 the Classic Mariners’ Regatta has animated Port Townsend Bay with the Wooden Boat Foundation spirit that is quintessentially Port Townsend. With hand-sewn award pennants and a courtyard dinner, this is a regatta weekend not to miss.

REGISTRATION COMING SOON

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.

Register Now

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.

Register Now

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.

Register Now

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.

Register Now

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.

Register Now

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.

Register Now

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.

Register Now

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.

Register Now

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.

Register Now

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.

Register Now


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.

Stay tuned for the 2021 CMR plan!

Classic Mariners' Regatta Criteria

We have opened up the criteria of Classic Mariners to expand the racing fleet beyond wooden boats!

The Classic Mariners’ Regatta is now open to yachts that have been built to a design or in the spirit of sailing yachts prior to 1967. There will be an acceptance committee that will determine if your boat meets this criteria. They will also consider boats that were built in the “Spirit of Tradition.”

Registration & Race Entry: $60

Registration for the Classic Mariners’ Regatta includes:

  • Entry for all three Classic Mariners' Regatta sailboat races
  • Welcome Gathering and Skippers' Meeting
  • Five beverage tickets (Yes, they're good for beers, too.)
  • Entry to the awards ceremony on Sunday afternoon

Please register in advance for the race; however if you're not arriving until late Friday night, please call 360.385.3628 x104 or email barb@nwmaritime.org and you can register at the skippers meeting on Saturday.

Moorage

If you would like to dock with the Classic Mariners group, which may mean rafting up, please call or email the Northwest Maritime Center office to add your name to the list for CMR raft-up. If you would like a more private dock, please call Point Hudson directly to reserve your own space. Either way, when you arrive at Point Hudson please proceed directly to the Point Hudson Marina office to pay for your moorage. Approximately 1.25 per foot.

Northwest Maritime Center Office: 360.385.3628, registrar@nwmaritime.org
Point Hudson Marina Office: 360.385.2828

A weekend of races!

This year the Classic Mariners' Regatta, SEVENTY48, and Race to Alaska are back to back in a weekend of epic fun and on-the-water adventure! So come on down to the Northwest Maritime Center and Pope Marine Park to watch and race in the regatta, cheer on SEVENTY48 racers as they arrive from Tacoma, take part in the R2AK madness on Sunday during the Ruckus, and see the R2AK teams set off on Monday.


Registration Coming Soon

Schedule

2021 schedule coming soon

All weekend events taken place in the Regatta Headquarters, upstairs at the Northwest Maritime Center

Monday, May 31

Last chance to purchase tickets to Saturday's dinner

Friday, June 4

5:00 PM
Welcome Gathering
• Eat, drink, and meet the other racers

Saturday, June 5

9:30 AM
Mandatory Skippers’ Meeting
• coffee and light snacks provided

12:00 PM
First Classic Mariners' Regatta Race Start; Second race starts immediately following first

5:00 PM
Classic Mariners' Regatta Dinner:
• Menu TBD; $12
• Located at Regatta Headquarters

Deadline for purchasing dinner tickets is Monday, May 31

Sunday, June 6

10:00 AM
Rowing Race

12:00 PM
Final Classic Mariners' Regatta Race Start

4:00 PM
Classic Mariners' Regatta Awards Party
• Located at Regatta Headquarters