SAILING
Cape Cod Sea Camps
THE PROGRAM: Cape Cod Sea Camps, Monomoy and Wono continue to be leaders of Sail Education in a summer camp setting. Our sailing programs are designed to offer instruction for a wide variety of sailing experiences; from the complete novice to the racing enthusiast. Cape Cod Sea Camps are uniquely able to offer programs on Cape Cod Bay and lake sailing at our Long Pond site.
Small Craft Safety. In addition each has met our requirements and those of the American Camp Association for teaching experience and sailing knowledge as demonstrated during our orientation prior to the start of camp. Because of our commitment to a strong educational program in sailing, we maintain an instructor to camper ratio of approximately 1:4 in the sailing department.
Our teaching methods incorporate hands-on participation by campers with clearly outlined teaching progressions and attainable goals for the children. Safety, learning and fun is the outcome expected through the sailing program.
THE FLEET: The CCSC fleet is comprised of 30 Cape Cod Mercurys, 18 Sunfish, 6 Cape Cod Dinghies (used for rowing), 9 Boston Whalers, 14 Windsurfers, a racing fleet of 9 Collegiate 420’s, and 2 Rhodes 18’s.
As soon as campers feel comfortable, they are encouraged to crew and skipper their own boats while our sail staff teach along side from Boston Whalers.
The Mercurys are moored in front of camp on Cape Cod Bay. These 15’ marconi rigged centerboard sloops are excellent teaching boats. Each carries a skipper and two to three crew with an additional crew member added in heavy wind. Of the 30 Mercurys, 12 are fully rigged for racing with spinnakers.
In order to assure enough on-water experience, campers choose sailing for the entire morning or afternoon, for the entire 5 to 6 day activity cycle. (Some days may be missed due to weather, out of camp or unit trips.) THE STAFF: We have been fortunate over the camp’s more than 95 year history to attract superb sailing instructors from across the country and around the world. In addition to these seasoned instructors, our program continues to groom excellent sailors through our 4-year Leadership Training Program who ultimately return as staff members. Many of our program leaders are teachers and coaches with experience in our CCSC sailing program or other programs. Our Sailing Staff are certified in CPR, First Aid and
Our Sunfish are kept at our Long Pond site and are popular among our younger, ages 6-11, sailors (younger campers are given their choice of Long Pond or Bay Sailing). Generally, a skipper with one crew or single-handed sailing is the norm for these boats. Campers enjoy the early hands-on sailing experience in the sheltered cove at our Long Pond site. The basics can be learned very quickly on these boats, thus resulting in great personal satisfaction among our novice sailors. Trained staff supervise and instruct all sailing activities from our Boston Whalers, other motor craft and from sailing directly with campers in the sailboats.
CAPE COD SEA CAMPS 3057 Main Street | PO Box 1880 | Brewster, MA 02631 (508) 896.3451 | INFO@CAPECODSEACAMPS.COM | CAPECODSEACAMPS.com
THE WATERS & SAILING: Cape Cod Bay is our primary sailing venue. Prevailing Southwest breezes provide for good wind with minimal seas. Boats are moored well offshore to provide sailing opportunities even during most low tides. Campers sail within boundaries set by the sailing master daily.
the end of the second session, all campers are encouraged to be involved in the Unit Sail Races, Smug Cup, Long Pond Cup and Upper/Lower Camp Regattas. Of course our first session campers are not left out as the traditional McIntyre Cup (camper/counselor race) and Blue Green Cups are held early in the summer.
Our freshwater access (1000’ of private beachfront) on Long Pond provides strong wind conditions offshore and lighter breezes inshore. Daily boundaries are set relative to wind conditions and the sailing abilities of the participants. Long Pond is Cape Cod’s largest fresh water body and a favorite spot among our campers.
INTRO TO 420’s: Campers wishing to learn to sail 420’s may choose this option in the mornings after demonstrating the appropriate skills at Bay Sailing.
As safety is a primary focus of our sailing program, all campers and staff are required to wear lifejackets at all times while on the water. In addition, we monitor the weather very carefully avoiding sailing when the threat of thunderstorms or squalls is forecast for our immediate area. THE RACING PROGRAM: On a purely elective basis, CCSC provides both intra-camp and Yacht Club competition for it’s more avid sailors. Sunday races at camp are a long-standing tradition. Experienced skippers and novices enjoy these weekly races. This provides a nonthreatening competitive sailing experience. More experienced full season sailors are welcomed to our 420 Racing Team. These sailors have fondly named our Sailing Headquarters, THE BREWSTER BEACH AND YACHT CLUB. The Racing Team competes at Yacht Clubs on the Cape and also hosts races at CCSC. These campers become well versed in racing rules and tactics, which include a protest or two following one of the regattas. Toward
EVENING SAIL: When tides are right, the sailing department will host evening sails on Cape Cod Bay for an entire unit. Campers experience the recreational value of simply sailing off with some friends, and the unique experience of sailing into the setting sun over Cape Cod Bay. OTHER WATER SPORTS at CCSC: With our unique location directly on Cape Cod Bay and our site on Long Pond, watersports are very popular at CCSC. In addition to Sailing, we offer instruction in WATERSKIING, SWIMMING, WINDSURFING, and KAYAKING. Windsurfing and Waterskiing offer limited spaces for campers who have passed their Red Cross Level 5 in swimming. These activities are taken all morning or afternoon at our Long Pond site. Swimming lessons take place in our fresh water pool with recreational swimming, snorkeling and kayaking available in the bay. For competitive swimmers, CCSC hosts a few swim meets during the course of the summer. Canoeing is also offered upon occasion as a recreational activity at our Long Pond site.
CAPE COD SEA CAMPS, INC. A MASSACHUSETTS CORPORATION IS ACCREDITED BY THE AMERICAN CAMP ASSOCIATION.