Our Program
Our program emphasizes water and boating safety, skill development, and building confidence in sailing. Each day campers will have on-shore classroom sessions to learn the core concepts of sailing. This fundamental knowledge must be developed along with practical skill application. On-water sessions each day will include learning to steer the boat and trim sails with a focus on teamwork. As the week progresses, the challenge level will increase to encourage a progression of learning. Camp includes some traditional activities, songs, games, and crafts. Each day campers will rig and de-rig their boats and learn about the responsibilities of boat care. This will require cooperation within the group and, with the guidance of their counselors, we know that our campers will have fun, learn, and thrive.
Campers are divided into learning groups based on age, size, and experience. The goal is to have a group that can form lasting friendships will increasing sailing skills. All groups are led by US Sailing certified instructors and assisted by junior counselors. Campers are encouraged to participate in each level for multiple sessions within one season, or over a period of years.
Opti 1
Our youngest and smallest campers will take the helm for the first time in the Opti fleet, learning the basics of sailing safety and maneuvers in pairs onboard their boats. Campers will learn basic boating safety, steering and control, capsize recovery, rigging, and teamwork.
Opti 2
Beginning sailors ages 9 and up as well as Opti 1 graduates will increase their skill level at the helm of an Opti sailboat. Campers are encouraged to single-hand after mastering sailing in pairs. Campers will learn basic boating safety, steering and control, capsize recovery, rigging, teamwork, and single-handed sailing.
Sunfish
Sailors ages 11 and up will explore the waters on leisure sunfish boats, one of the world’s most popular day sailing boats. Starting off in pairs to increase confidence and get practice with a friend on board, campers are encouraged to try single-handing the boat by the end of the week. Sunfish campers spend most of their time on the water throughout the week with both morning and afternoon sailing sessions and a group raft-up.
Our Staff
Nashville Sail Camp has a director and an assistant director. Some years we have separate certified instructors, and other years our leadership staff also serve as instructors. All our leadership staff are camp or watersport professionals with at least three years of experience. Camp counselors range from seasoned teens who participated in our Counselor in Training (CIT) program to adults with childcare or watersport experience. We take pride in having staff who make every day fun!
What to Bring
When your camper arrives they will need to be dressed and ready for an active day of sailing on the lake. This means swimwear on with clothing over it, along with sturdy water shoes. Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) should already be applied.
Here is a list of things to bring each day in your backpack:
- Personal Flotation Device: You cannot sail without a class III, USCG Approved life jacket
- Come Dressed for Sailing: Active swimwear, modest with full coverage, sport style swimwear, shorts, and a light t-shirt. Please secure glasses using a strap or string as we will be on the lake most of the time during camp.
- Change of Clothing: optional.
- Shoes: Must have close-toed shoes to sail. Crocks, Water Shoes, sailing boots, or old sneakers are all good options. No flip-flops or slides.
- SUNSCREEN: Come with it on, >SPF30, Look for words like ‘waterproof’, ‘active’, or ‘sport’, The sun is harsh especially when reflecting off the water, we will re-apply at lunch
- Water Bottle: A must-have on the boat, We will have a cooler where it can be refilled during the day
- Lunch & a Snack: packed in a reusable lunchbox/bag. All wrappers/uneaten food will be kept in the lunchbox and returned home so parents can be aware of what their child is eating at camp.
- Weather appropriate extras: Sweatshirt, Raincoat, Sunglasses, Hat
Your smile and a good attitude!
*If a child forgets their lunch, the camp director will call the listed contact person(s). Lunch can be dropped off or we will provide a pre-packaged lunch for a fee of $5.00.
*Camp is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Please label all of your child’s belongings. Unclaimed items will be held for 1 week, displayed at check-out, then donated to charity.
Camp Behavior Policy
*Please review this with your child*
Leadership Academy’s Nashville Sail Camp wants to cultivate the sailor in your child and engage them with safe boating practices. It will be a FUN week at camp, especially if the campers already know what is expected of them. Read the guidelines below with your child.
Nashville Sail Campers are expected to be respectful to each other, their instructors and themselves. We are a camp that encourages each other and that does not tolerate put downs. We are trying to learn something that is challenging and new, so we need to have patience with the process and with each other. We always pitch in to clean up and help out. We always think about safety first! This means we make good decisions, ask questions and listen to the instructors at all times.
Camp staff will work with your child to redirect minor behavior issues with listening, cooperation or positive participation. More disruptive behavior will be brought to the attention of the camp director and the parent will be notified at check-out or called by phone.
A camper may be asked to leave camp (without a refund) if the director determines that the camper is compromising the safety of themselves or their group. This could include verbally threatening other group members or acts of aggression/violence such as hitting, kicking or biting. Also, if a camper repeatedly leaves the group unannounced and is unable to be kept safely supervised, they may be sent home without a refund.
Emergency Communication Plan
Although we do our best to stay safe and prevent injuries and accidents, sometimes accidents happen. In the case of an injury or an emergency, we will do our best to communicate with parents or emergency contacts as soon as possible. Once the nature of the injury/emergency has been established, parents will be notified by the camp director or the CEO. If the child’s parents cannot be reached, the designated emergency contacts will be called. If the injury or emergency is not life-threatening but requires further medical attention, the parents or emergency contacts will need to provide transportation to seek care.
*Please note that Nashville Sail Camp does not provide any transportation. In case of an injury or emergency, the camp staff will assess the situation and call emergency services as appropriate.
