Summer Programs
Summer 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 and full-day programs are available and lunch coverage is an available option.
NESS Summer 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 fast, so interested families are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible. Financial aid is available to make the ocean accessible to all.
NESS Summer Programs include:
Marine Science and Adventure Sports that includes programs for all age groups such as: Little Aquanauts (ages 4 to 5), Bay Bounders (ages 6 to 7), Ocean Explorers (ages 8 to 10), Marine Biologists (ages 11 to 15), Surfing (ages 11 to 17), Mixed Adventure Sports (ages 9 to 12 and 11 to 17), Fishing (ages 11 to 17) and Boater's Education (ages 12 to 17).
Click to view the 2024 Summer MSAS Schedule.
Youth Sailing Programs enable students of all ages to learn the basics of sailing and advance their nautical skills throughout the summer.
Click to view the 2024 Summer Sailing Schedule.
New London Youth Sailing Programs do not require any sailing experience and provide a supportive environment where New London youth sailors of all ages and abilities can improve their sailing skills while learning respect for their fellow sailors, boats, and the water – all while having some fun.
Students may register for one week of open enrollment sessions.
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 take a swim test 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
- Close-toed water shoes
- Sunscreen (please apply before arriving)
- USCG Type III Life Jacket
- 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
- For campers with a morning and afternoon session: please pack a lunch
What NOT to Bring:
- No jeans
- No pants or shorts with rivets
- No cotton clothing
- No valuables
- No electronic devices
- No open-toed shoes
Students and their parents/guardians must provide a Health Exam Form signed by a physician no less than one week prior to the start of the program
2. 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
3. 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.
There are no make-up days for classes missed for any reason.
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.