Maritime & Waterfront Camps in Seattle

Typical Day

Maritime camps in Seattle begin with safety briefings and gear checks before heading to the water. Morning sessions typically focus on skill instruction—sailing technique, paddle strokes, or marine biology concepts—followed by supervised practice time. Lunch often happens dockside or aboard, and afternoons bring more advanced activities as skills develop. Overnight programs on the San Juan Islands add unique experiences like anchor watches, night sailing, and sleeping aboard.

Skills Your Child Will Learn

Kids gain practical water safety and seamanship skills including knot-tying, navigation basics, weather awareness, and equipment care. Sailing programs teach sail trim, tacking, and eventually independent boat handling. Paddling camps cover stroke efficiency, self-rescue, and reading water conditions. Marine science programs add skills like species identification, water quality testing, and scientific observation methods. All programs emphasize teamwork and communication—essential on the water.

What Makes Seattle Special

No American city offers comparable maritime programming. Puget Sound's protected waters provide ideal learning conditions, while the San Juan Islands offer genuine ocean sailing and world-class marine wildlife. Programs like YMCA Camp Orkila have over a century of experience teaching kids on these waters. Kids might spot orca pods, harbor seals, and bald eagles during their adventures.

Preparing Your Child

Send your child in synthetic or wool layers that dry quickly—cotton gets cold when wet. Water shoes or sailing shoes with non-marking soles are essential for boat-based programs. Pack quality sunscreen and sunglasses with a strap. For nervous beginners, Seattle Aquarium camps and Lake Union programs offer gentler introductions before kids tackle Puget Sound. Most programs provide PFDs and safety equipment.