Youth Summer Camp Programs
Summer Camp Programs at NESS include classes for students from ages 4-17 in sailing, marine science, fishing, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkeling, and powerboating. Half-day programs, full-day programs, and lunch coverage are available.
NESS Youth Summer Camp Programs offer a unique combination of on-the-water and in-the-classroom lessons to spark curiosity, enhance learning, and encourage students to step out of their comfort zones. This includes sailing, marine science, adventure sports, and powerboating courses.
Classes fill quickly, so interested families are encouraged to register as soon as possible.
Stonington Youth Summer Camp Programs
Cost
Each half-day program for one week ranges from $260–$385.
Scholarships are available to make the ocean accessible to all.
Marine Science and Adventure Sports programs:
- Little Aquanauts (ages 4-5)
- Bay Bounders (ages 6-7)
- Ocean Explorers (ages 8-10)
- Mixed Adventure Sports (ages 9-12 & 11-17)
- Marine Biologists (ages 11-15)
- Surfing (ages 11-17)
- Fishing (ages 11-17)
- Boater's Education (ages 12-17)
Little Aquanauts, Bay Bounders, Ocean Explorers, and Marine Biologists:
Each week we have a different marine science-based theme with students learning about weather, marine animals, environmental stewardship, and oceanography, just to name a few! Programs consist of both science activities and ocean adventures, like snorkeling, kayaking, and boat rides.
Adventure Sports:
No matter what class you pick, it’s all about adventures on the water! Choose from single-activity classes like Surfing or Fishing, or explore a variety of activities with our mixed adventure sports programs. Programs like Wave Monkeys, Wiki Wiki Makai, and NESS Olympics will allow your student to try sports such as kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and surfing.
Youth Sailing programs enable students to learn the basics and advance their sailing skills:
- First Taste of Optis (ages 6-9)
- Second Taste of Optis (ages 6-9)
- Opti Green Fleet (ages 8-12)
- Opti Intermediate (ages 8-13)
- Opti Race (ages 8-13)
- Sailing Adventures (ages 9-12)
- Windsurfing Adventures (ages 9-12)
- Hartley 12 Level 1 (ages 10-16)
- Hartley 12 Level 2 (ages 10-16)
- Advanced Adventures (ages 12-17)
- 420 Development (ages 12-17)
- 420 Race (ages 12-17)
- Laser Race (ages 13-17)
NESS offers beginner through advanced sailing programs starting at age 6.
First Taste of Optis will give students a strong foundation to start their sailing journey. Some students may take this class more than once before moving on to Second Taste of Optis. For those older than age 10 getting started, our Hartley sailing program is the first step in their sailing career. After one week of Hartley Level 1, the student can move on to Hartley Level 2. Once they have a few weeks of experience under their belt, even more options are available!
If your sailor has a competitive side, we have race programs they can work up to. If your sailor is looking for a more recreational experience, Sailing Adventures and Advanced Adventures are great opportunities to get experience on the water in a variety of different sailboats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Parent Guide
It is not necessary to be a skilled swimmer to participate in NESS programs, but comfort on and around the water is a must! All students will wear lifejackets on the water. For some activities, older students will have the option to participate in a swim check with one of their certified lifeguards if they would like to remove their life jackets.
NESS programs are designed to be educational, engaging, safe, and fun for all students. In order to do this, we develop programs and activities for specific ages. NESS does not allow students to join classes for older or younger students.
If your child is staying at NESS all day you can register for our supervised lunch period in between classes. If your child has permission to leave campus without an authorized adult, they may leave on their own for lunch. NESS does not provide lunch; please pack a lunch for your student daily.
What to Bring:
- Bathing suit (come dressed in a bathing suit to get on the water faster!)
- Close-toed water shoes
- Sunscreen (please apply before arriving)
- Reusable water bottle
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Towel
- Dry shoes and change of clothes
- Sailing students only: pea-less safety whistle
- Little Aquanauts & Bay Bounders only: pack a peanut-free snack and change of clothes (students may not have the time to change every day)
- For campers with both a morning and afternoon session: please pack a lunch and a change of clothes
- Medications to register with the front office
What NOT to Bring:
- No jeans
- No pants or shorts with rivets
- No cotton clothing
- No valuables
- No electronic devices
- No open-toed shoes
While we have a Lost and Found on campus, we often take the students off-site. NESS is not responsible for any lost or damaged personal equipment and items.
Please be sure to park only in designated public parking areas. These areas include the Stonington Town Docks parking lot, Wayland’s Wharf parking lot, and street parking on Water Street and Main Street. Use of the Stonington Commons parking lot is no longer permitted.
Please DO NOT:
- Block residential driveways, yellow curbs, or fire hydrants
- Stop your vehicle in the street
We appreciate your help and cooperation in maintaining a safe and courteous environment for all.
1. Authorization for the Administration of Medicine Form
Any student who brings medication, such as an Epi-Pen or inhaler, must also provide the completed NESS Authorization for Administration of Medicine form signed by a physician
2. Individual Plan of Care Form
Any student with special needs must provide an Individual Plan of Care form signed by the parent
These required forms can also be found in your registration confirmation email.
Due to the nature of NESS programs, late arrivals and early pickup requests may not be possible. Students frequently take trips off-site; please be sure to arrive on time so that trips may depart as planned. Arrival to class more than 10 minutes after class begins may result in your child missing their class departure. If this is the case, your student will not be able to attend the program that day. Please be mindful of class start and end times.
NESS programs are designed to give students as much time on the water as possible. If a class has planned to spend the day on a boat, they will be out as long as the program will allow. Because of this, you may not be able to pick your child up from the program early.
Every class has a backup indoor lesson plan in the event of inclement weather. Classes may choose to go out in light rain but will remain inside if there is any chance of inclement weather.
If registration is canceled more than one week in advance, you will receive a full refund. If canceled closer than that, a refund will be given if we are able to fill your spot. Cancellations due to illness or injury will be refunded in full after providing NESS with a doctor’s note.
To provide a healthy environment for all, please keep your student home if there are any signs of illness. Students may not participate in camp if they exhibit any of the following conditions:
• Fever over 100° F -must stay home for at least 24 hours after the fever resolves without the use of fever-reducing medication.
• Vomiting or diarrhea within the prior 24 hours of the program’s start time.
• Conjunctivitis – red, itchy eyes, discharge, until under medication for 24 hours.
• Any contagious disease.
• Suspicious rashes or lesions with bleeding or oozing. Rashes can be an initial sign of a viral illness.
• Conditions preventing a student from active participation (examples include lethargy, sleepiness, and constant coughing or difficulty breathing)
If your student begins exhibiting any of these symptoms while at NESS, we will contact you and you may be required to pick your student up early.
Should any spots open in a waitlisted program, families will be contacted via email in the order that they signed up. If the first person on the waitlist passes on the available spot, the second person will be contacted, etc.
To assure that NESS’s programs are accessible to all, regardless of an individual’s means, NESS provides scholarships for participants in its various programs who demonstrate financial need. NESS will make every reasonable effort to include those who want to participate in NESS’s programs and have demonstrated financial need. To learn more about NESS Scholarships and apply, click here.
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Get ready for an amazing summer - we can’t wait to share the memories with you!
New London Youth Sailing Programs
New London Youth Sailing Programs at Green Harbor do not require any sailing experience and provide a supportive environment where New London youth sailors can build and improve their sailing skills while learning respect for their fellow sailors, boats, and the water – all while having some fun.
This program is free for New London students. Students may register for one week of open enrollment sessions.
