Scholarships are available to support up to 100% of the cost of our youth programs.
If the program you are interested in is full please join our waitlist by filling out the form linked below.
After-School Programs
The Community Boating Center is excited to offer after school programming this Spring. We want to create a space for kids to get outside and recreate on Bellingham Bay, while building confidence on the water. This program will consist of sailing, kayaking, and paddleboarding while integrating the themes of marine stewardship, STEM and leave no trace.
All Community Boating Center programs are focused on skill-building, community engagement, team and leadership growth, confidence building, safety awareness, and fun. Each of our staff have CPR/First Aid/AED certifications who have extensive boating and youth leading experience.
Sea Squirts After School
$140
Ages 5-7
Four 2.5hr Sessions
Give your child the opportunity to build comfort on the water and engage with the marine world!
Our after school program offers a stimulating environment to develop situational awareness and basic boating and water safety skills! We’ll choose to go sailing, paddling or explore the beach with a focus on building confidence around the water. This program offers a mix of outdoor classroom time and active play on the bay.
We know that process matters — we focus our goals, games, and learning opportunities around individual and group development and building self confidence while having fun. Our holistic approach will help your child form a lifelong connection to the sea by integrating elements of nature, science and mindful play.
Each program is led by an ACA or US Sailing certified instructor.
This program is repeatable and all sessions of this program are open to new participants and salty squirts alike. Ask us about drop in options.
Summer Camps
Summer Sea Squirts
$210
Ages 5-7
Duration: 15 hours over five consecutive days
Give your child the opportunity to build comfort on the water and engage with the marine world!
This summer camp offers a stimulating environment to develop situational awareness and basic boating and water safety skills! We’ll choose to go sailing, paddling or explore the beach with a focus on building confidence around the water. This program offers a mix of outdoor classroom time and active play on the bay.
We know that process matters — we focus our goals, games, and learning opportunities around individual and group development and building self confidence while having fun. Our holistic approach will help your child form a lifelong connection to the sea by integrating elements of nature, science and mindful play.
Each program is led by an ACA or US Sailing certified instructor.
This program is repeatable and all sessions of this program are open to new participants and salty squirts alike. Ask us about drop in options!
Adventure Camp
$490
Ages 8-12
Duration: 35 hours over five consecutive days
Sail, paddle and play all day on the bay!
In this all day adventure camp kids will learn the basics of cold water safety while trying out all the boats in our fleet. We’ll get out on the bay to sail, paddle or row, navigating to beaches where we’ll explore and learn about our marine world.
We know that process matters, that’s why we focus our goals, games, and learning opportunities around individual and group development, building self confidence while having fun. Our holistic approach will help your child form a lifelong connection to the sea by integrating elements of nature, science and mindful play.
Each program is led by an ACA or US Sailing certified instructor.
Junior Learn to Sail Camp
$490
Ages 8-12
Duration: 35 hours over five consecutive days
This camp teaches the basics of sailing and will put kids at the helm of our RS Quest — a multi-handed boat that demands teamwork and good communication. Throughout the week we’ll cover all the skills needed to become independent, including: rigging, sailing theory, hand exchange tacking, jibing, capsize recovery, docking, and person overboard drill.
By the end of camp most sailors will be able to independently rig a Quest and sail it in light breeze. This camp is a good fit for brand new sailors and returning sailors alike.
If campers would like to rent the boat and sail on their own they will need to pass a skills test to show that they have developed and retained the necessary skills! We find that students are usually ready to pass the skills test after two sessions of this camp.
Each program is led by a US Sailing certified instructor.
This program is designed to be repeated. No experience necessary.
Junior Explorers
$490
Ages 8-12
Duration: 35 hours over five consecutive days
Explore Bellingham Bay and the Chuckanut Coastline in this all day cruising camp! Students will learn the basics of sailing on our 24’ keelboat while setting off on a new adventure each day.
Keelboats are large sailboats where students and instructors are all on the same boat. They are fun, fast, and require teamwork and good communication. Sailors will try out all the different crew positions and even have a turn at the helm!
We know that process matters; that’s why we focus our goals, games, and learning opportunities around individual and group development, and building self confidence while having fun. Our holistic approach will help your child form a lifelong connection to the sea by integrating elements of nature, science and mindful play.
Each program is led by a US Sailing certified instructor.
This program is designed to be repeated. No experience necessary.
Teen Adventure
$245
Ages 13-17
Duration: 17.5 hours over five consecutive days
Sail, paddle and explore all day on the bay!
In this program students will learn the basics of cold water safety while trying out all the boats in our fleet. We’ll get out on the bay to sail, paddle or row, navigating to beaches where we’ll explore and learn about our marine world.
We know that process matters, that’s why we focus our goals, activities, and learning opportunities around individual and group development and building self confidence while having fun. Our holistic approach will help students form a lifelong connection to the sea by integrating elements of nature, science and mindfulness.
Each program is led by an ACA or US Sailing certified instructor.
Prerequisites: None, all levels of experience are welcome! This program is designed to be repeated.
What’s Next? Refine your sailing skills in our Learn to Sail program or rent a boat and explore on your own!
Teen Epic Adventure
$490
Ages 13-17
Duration: 35 hours over five consecutive days
Our newest Teen offering, Epic Adventure gives teens the opportunity to sail, paddle and explore all day on the bay!
In this program students will learn the basics of cold water safety while trying out all the boats in our fleet. We’ll get out on the bay to sail, paddle or row, navigating to beaches where we’ll explore and learn about our marine world.
We know that process matters, that’s why we focus our goals, activities, and learning opportunities around individual and group development and building self confidence while having fun. Our holistic approach will help students form a lifelong connection to the sea by integrating elements of nature, science and mindfulness.
Each program is led by an ACA or US Sailing certified instructor.
Prerequisites: None, all levels of experience are welcome! This program is designed to be repeated.
What’s Next? Refine your sailing skills in our Learn to Sail program or rent a boat and explore on your own!
Teen Learn to Sail
$245
Ages 13-17
Duration: 17.5 hours over five consecutive days
This program teaches the basics of sailing and will put kids at the helm of our RS Quest — a multi-handed boat that demands teamwork and good communication. Throughout the week we’ll cover all the skills needed to become independent, including: rigging, sailing theory, hand exchange tacking, jibing, capsize recovery, docking, and person overboard drill.
By the end of the week most sailors will be able to independently rig a Quest and sail it in light breeze. This program is a good fit for brand new sailors and returning sailors alike.
If students would like to rent the boat and sail on their own, they will need to pass a skills test to show that they have developed and retained the necessary skills. We find that students are usually ready to pass the skills test after two sessions of this program.
Each program is led by a US Sailing certified instructor.
This program is designed to be repeated. No experience necessary.
Prerequisites: None, all levels of experience are welcome!
What’s Next? Refine your skills in our Performance Sailing program or rent a boat and explore on your own!
Teen Coastal Cruising
$245
Ages 13-17
Duration: 17.5 hours over five consecutive days
Explore Bellingham Bay and the Chuckanut coastline in this all day cruising camp! Students will learn the basics of sailing on our 24’ keelboat while setting off on a new adventure each day.
Keelboats are large sailboats where students and instructors are all on the same boat. They are fun, fast, and require teamwork and good communication. Sailors will try out all the different crew positions and even have a turn at the helm!
We know that process matters, that’s why we focus our goals, games, and learning opportunities around individual and group development and building self confidence while having fun. Our holistic approach will help to form a lifelong connection to the sea by integrating elements of nature, science and mindfulness.
Each program is led by a US Sailing certified instructor.
This program is designed to be repeated. No experience necessary.
Prerequisites: None, all levels of experience are welcome!
What’s Next? Refine your skills in our Learn to Sail program or rent a boat and explore on your own!
If the program you are interested in is full please join our waitlist by filling out the form linked below.
FAQ:
Does my child need to know how to swim to participate in a CBC summer camp?
Yes!
A swim check is required for all students participating in our camp programs. The check consists of jumping off the end of the dock without a life jacket, swimming to a nearby buoy, treading water, and putting a life jacket on while treading water. This test helps ensure the safety of all our campers. This is the standard requirement as set forth by US Sailing. All students should demonstrate a comfort level in and around the water during the swim test. We strongly encourage all parents/guardians to practice in this with their child prior to camp. We also encourage parents to sign their children up for swim lessons or a swim test at a local pool. Campers who do take a swim test at a pool should aim to be at least at a Youth Level 3 swimming capability.
What does my child need for camp?
Regardless of the weather and the forecast, you should prepare your child for all kinds of weather, and every day your child should be prepared to swim in the chilly waters of Bellingham Bay. The CBC provides “shorty” wetsuits but you’ll need to provide the following to help ensure that your child has a great experience:
Required Attire:
- Swimsuit
- Rain jacket
- Rain pants
- Long underwear
- Shorts
- Long pants
- Warm hat
- Sun hat
- T-shirt (cotton is OK)
- Wool socks
- Fleece or light jacket
- Shoes that can be worn while swimming (boat shoes are not necessary)
- Dry shoes for the car ride home
Required Personal Gear:
- Packed lunch
- Water bottle with at least 1 qt. of water
- Snacks
- Medications needed during the day
- Towel
Optional Personal Gear:
- Sunglasses with safety cord
- Sunscreen (reef safe please)
- Lip sun block
If my child is in a sailing camp and there’s no wind, what do they do?
Because wind, weather, and water conditions are variable, and outside of human control, all youth campers receive instruction in both sailing and paddling. Camp instructors constantly assess the conditions to inform their outing plan for the day, and make adjustments to the day’s activities based on the conditions. For light wind or no wind days, campers will receive more intensive on-land education on sailing concepts, and may practice their knowledge of wind/water reading, and boat mechanics. Campers will also get out on the water in paddleboards and kayaks on light/no wind days, to continue to build their comfort in the marine environment. For all sailing camps, every effort is made to ensure campers receive as much sailing time on the water as possible.
For heavy wind days, instructors will assess the conditions, and if they determine that conditions are too dangerous for being on the water, they will continue with on-land activities and education.
