Summer Programs (HRCS Sample Week)

Day One: Instructors and kids introduce themselves, discuss their excitements and fears for the week, and outline safety procedures. Some team building games are played to break the ice and to get the group comfortable with one another.  The importance of PFDs (Personal Floatation Devices) is discussed and kids are fitted. Instructors go over basic boat orientation and points of sail. A quick sail with an instructor leading orients the kids to life on the water. Kids are introduced to knot tying. A quick debrief is conducted after the sail to discuss how everyone felt and what expectations are for the following days.   

Day Two: Kids head to HRCS and review the prior day’s activities.  Kids are pressed to consider why certain things happened on the water.  Through a chalk talk, instructors demonstrate the points of sail as well as a man over board demonstration.  Determining one’s role on a vessel is also emphasized in an effort to teach the participants to take responsibility for a part of the boat. Instructors also cover docking techniques and more knot demonstrations.  Kids are encouraged to pay close attention to rigging the boat and sailing. As long as safety permits, kids are free to help rig and steer the boat.

Day Three: The group reviews the prior day’s activities as students rig the boat with some help from the instructor. Kids are encouraged to take charge and ask each other, when necessary, for assistance.  Students cast off the dock and the instructor encourages each student to take a chance at the helm. For those that are more hesitant, the instructor can aid in the process.  Instructors lead the kids in the least invasive way possible without compromising safety.  Kids are asked to connect the chalk talks on points of sail to the experience on the water.  Students are encouraged to work together on the boat to tack and avoid obstacles while working together. 

Day Four: A recap of the previous day enables the kids to voice what they learned and what was difficult for them. Points of sail and wind direction are reviewed and students have the chance to make connections between their experience on the water the day before and the wind. The kids are also encouraged to create a route to sail for the day given the wind and tide. Students determine on land where the sails should be in relation to the wind direction and the given course. Students rig the boats and head out for the open river. Instructor introduces racing techniques to the students in preparation for a mini regatta on the final day of the sailing course. Students are expected to sail the boat on their own and communicate with one another when tacking and making changes in course.  

Day Five: Instructors give students a basic overview of how the race will work but emphasize safety concerns. Students rig vessels and head out to the race course.  All students participate in driving the vessel during the race.  Students head in and de-rig the boats. Instructors lead an awards ceremony where each student is recognized for their individual accomplishment throughout the week.