A
City of Annapolis
Maryland · Est. 1649
⛵ Summer 2026 · Maritime Program

Junior Sailing Camp.

Two weeks on the water in the sailing capital of the country. For ages 8–14, no experience needed — just a willingness to get wet.

Ages 8–14 9 AM – 3 PM daily Mon–Fri · 2 weeks All skill levels US Sailing certified
Resident price · 2-week session
$385per child
Non-resident $485 · Sibling discount 20% off 2nd child
Length 10 days · M–F over 2 weeks
Hours 9 AM – 3 PM · drop-off 8:30
Group size 16 max · 1:4 instructor ratio
Aftercare Available · $85/wk
Session 2 · spots left 4 of 16
Need financial help? Scholarships available · no family pays more than they can.
42yrs
Running since 1984
312
Kids sailed last summer
4.9
Parent rating
★★★★★
28%
On scholarship · FY26

About the camp

In their own words

Annapolis isn't called the sailing capital for nothing. Junior Sailing has been getting kids out on the Chesapeake since 1984, teaching the skills, confidence, and respect for the water that define this town.

Each two-week session takes campers from "I've never set foot on a boat" to comfortably handling a small sailboat on their own. The first few days are spent on land learning the parts of the boat, knot tying, and water safety — drills that become muscle memory by the end of week one. By Friday of week one, most campers are sailing solo in protected waters with an instructor a few boat lengths away.

Week two is where it gets fun. Longer sails, navigation challenges, capsize drills (yes, they're a highlight), and a Friday afternoon family regatta where the kids show off everything they've learned. Every camper finishes with a US Sailing Level 1 certification and — more importantly — the kind of confidence that comes from being trusted with a real responsibility.

"My daughter came home tired, sunburned, and beaming every single day. By the end of week two she was teaching me how to tie a bowline."
— Parent · Summer 2025

The camp is run out of the Maritime Annex at Truxtun Park, with on-water time happening in protected Spa Creek and (for advanced groups) Annapolis Harbor. All instructors are US Sailing certified, hold Maryland Boating Safety certificates, and are CPR/first aid trained. Two safety boats stay on the water at all times during sailing sessions.

Choose your session

6 sessions · Summer 2026

All available sessions

Registration closes 7 days before session start
Session Dates Ages Spots Action
Session 1
June 15 – June 26
 All ages 8–14 Full · 0/16
Session 2
June 29 – July 10
 All ages 8–14 4 left · 12/16
Session 3
July 13 – July 24
 Beginner only 8–11 9 left · 7/16
Session 4
July 13 – July 24
 Intermediate / advanced 11–14 12 left · 4/16
Session 5
July 27 – August 7
 All ages 8–14 11 left · 5/16
Session 6
August 10 – August 21
 Racing focus 11–14 3 left · 13/16
Sessions fill up fast. Annapolis residents get a 2-week early-registration window in February. Sign up for our Rec newsletter to get notified when registration opens for Summer 2027.

A typical day on the water

Daily rhythm
Days 1–3

Land school & first sails

  • 8:30 AMDrop-off & safety check
  • 9:00Morning meeting
  • 9:30Land school · parts of the boat, knots
  • 11:00Rigging practice
  • 12:00Lunch & games
  • 1:00 PMFirst sails · protected waters
  • 2:30Debrief & gear stow
  • 3:00Pickup
Days 4–7

Building skills

  • 8:30 AMDrop-off
  • 9:00Morning meeting · weather brief
  • 9:30Skill drills · tacking, jibing
  • 12:00Lunch & swim time
  • 1:00 PMOpen sailing · solo time
  • 2:00Capsize & recovery practice
  • 2:45Logbook entries
  • 3:00Pickup
Days 8–10

Adventure week

  • 8:30 AMDrop-off
  • 9:00Quick brief · today's mission
  • 9:30Long sail · navigation
  • 12:00Picnic lunch · often on a beach
  • 1:00 PMPractice races, games
  • 2:30Friday: family regatta
  • 3:00Pickup & certificates

Lead instructor

Bio & credentials
SR
Program Director · 12 years
Sarah Reilly
US Sailing Level 2 Instructor Maryland BSC CPR / First Aid USCG Captain

Sarah grew up sailing on the Severn and competed at the Naval Academy before returning to Annapolis to run youth programs. She's been with the city's recreation program since 2014 and has trained more than 2,000 young sailors. "The goal isn't to make racers — it's to give kids a sense that they belong on the water."

What's included & what to bring

Day 1 prep
✓

Provided by the camp

  • Sailboats — Opti, Sunfish, and 420 dinghies
  • USCG-approved life jackets — fitted to each camper
  • Safety boats — 2 on the water at all times
  • All instruction & certification — US Sailing Level 1
  • Sun shelter & covered eating area
  • Filtered water refill stations
  • End-of-session t-shirt & certificate
  • Family regatta on the final Friday
!

What your child should bring

  • Swimsuit + change of clothes (kids get wet daily)
  • Water shoes or old sneakers that can get wet
  • Towel and a second one is smart
  • Reusable water bottle (refill stations available)
  • Sunscreen — apply before drop-off + reapply
  • Hat with a chin strap or a cap
  • Bagged lunch + snacks (no nuts please)
  • Dry bag or backpack to keep things dry

Where it happens

Location & access

Maritime Annex at Truxtun Park

📍 273 Hilltop Lane · Annapolis, MD 21403

Drop-off & pickup loop is on the Spa Creek side of Truxtun Park. Free parking in the upper lot. The Maritime Annex has restrooms, indoor classrooms for rainy mornings, and direct access to the docks. Pick-up runs 2:55–3:15 PM — please wait for your child to be signed out by an instructor.

Get directions → View site map → Parking info →

Frequently asked

Parent questions
My child has never sailed before. Will they be OK? +
Absolutely — most of our campers start with zero sailing experience. The first few days are spent on land learning the basics: parts of the boat, knots, water safety, and how to put gear on. By the time they get in a boat, they know what they're doing. We group beginners together and they progress at their own pace. Our 1:4 instructor ratio means lots of one-on-one attention.
What if there's bad weather? +
We sail in most weather conditions, but we never compromise safety. Light rain and overcast days are sailing days. Thunderstorms, sustained winds over 18 knots, or unsafe water conditions mean we stay on land — kids do knot-tying, watch sailing films, play games in the classroom, and review charts. If conditions are severe enough that we close the camp entirely, we send an early-morning notification by 7 AM and provide a make-up day at the end of the session.
Does my child need to know how to swim? +
Yes, campers need to be able to swim 25 yards comfortably and tread water for 1 minute. On day one we do a brief swim check at the dock — campers wear their life jackets the entire time. Kids who don't pass the check can still participate but stay on protected practice boats with extra instructor coverage. We encourage families to call us beforehand if you're unsure — we can talk through whether the camp is the right fit, or recommend our youth swim program first.
What's your cancellation policy? +
Full refund (less a $25 processing fee) up to 30 days before the session starts. 50% refund 14–29 days out. No refund within 14 days, but you can transfer your spot to another family. Medical cancellations with a doctor's note are refunded in full at any time. Weather-canceled days are made up at the end of the session whenever possible.
Is financial assistance available? +
Yes — and we mean it. The city's Recreation Scholarship Fund covers 50–100% of camp fees for families based on need. The application takes about 10 minutes, is confidential, and most decisions come back within a week. 28% of our campers attended on scholarship last summer. Don't let cost be the reason your kid doesn't sail. Apply for assistance →
Is aftercare available? +
Yes. Aftercare runs from 3 PM to 5:30 PM at the Pip Moyer Recreation Center (a 5-minute drive away). Counselors pick up campers from the Maritime Annex at 3:10 PM, transport them to the Rec Center, and supervise indoor and outdoor activities until pickup. The aftercare fee is $85/week, available to all campers regardless of session.