Summer camps are great outlets for youth to explore new activities, develop unique skills, and explore creative things that the traditional school year may not offer. Going to camp is also about learning to be independent, having fun, making friends, and experiencing other things that happen with growing up.

For ages there have been untraditional summer camps where kids learn to master a skill or sport, including sailing. In our community, The Waterfront Center's sailing clinics are becoming a popular way for youth to enjoy the summer. Its junior sailing clinics are reasonably priced programs designed to give teens between grades five and 12 the opportunity to learn how to sail or to raise the level of excitement for those who already have basic sailing skills.

The programs are held as evening or half-day clinics. There is also an 8-class Saturday racing clinic for intermediate sailors that includes regattas in West Harbor and the greater area as appropriate. Gaye Verdi, the organizations' executive director, expressed that these arrangements were made flexible to allow teens to explore other activities throughout the summer. It was also arranged so as not to stifle teens who get bored easily.

The programs are designed to be a low stress way for a teenager to become a good sailor. Mike McGrory, the director of the sailing school, commented, "Why the niche of this program is so cool is that it's geared toward teaching fundamental sailing while also being fun. We set up marks, triangle courses, and coach the kids with positive reinforcement. There is no yelling. The program is open to both beginner and intermediate skill levels. The kids last year loved it and walked away with a real connection to the water and sailing. Most of the kids that participated last year are already signed up again this year."

The dinghy racing clinics introduce young sailors to the fun and exciting aspects of competitive sailing. Participants will also cultivate skills that may lead to a lifetime connection to the sport. Students will learn how to rig the boats, get the boats upright if they tip over, tie knots, check weather conditions, and most importantly they will be ingrained with knowledge of safe sailing practices. The clinics are taught on small, standard sailing boats such as Optis, Sunfish, and Pixels. All courses are taught by certified instructors from U.S. Sailing, which is the national governing body for sailing.

McGrory added, "Every child gets evaluated at least every two sessions. Also, at the end of each session while the children are being debriefed about the day's events one of the coaches is also conferring with the parents about their child's experience. The parents involvement helps make the program better."

To learn more about clinic dates, fees, and other elements, you can contact The Waterfront Center at 922-SAIL. For more information about boating, environmental matters, and other water-related activities throughout the Oyster Bay area you can email the author at Jaime.VanDyke@gmail.com or reach her at 946-9464.