JUNIOR'S DAY CAMP FAQs

When and where is the camp?

Sessions start at 9 each morning, so please bring your child to camp on time -- you wouldn’t want to miss the boat! Our facility is located on the grounds of the Baltimore Museum of Industry at 1425 Key Highway. Classes are taught under the big green awning. Click here for driving directions.

How does Extended Day work?

The DSC offers an extended day program for children who need to be dropped off early or picked up late. These extended day sessions run from 8:15 a.m. until 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. until 5 p.m. Each extended day costs $10 and must be paid in full on the first day of your child’s session.

What is an average day at camp like?

Class starts every day at 9 a.m. with an on-land lesson on the day’s skills. Children then join their boat groups and their instructors to go out onto the water. Everyone returns to the DSC’s shady pavilion at noon for lunch, sunscreen reapplication, water refills and a short break. Everyone gets back out on the water for more sailing after lunch. At the end of the day, the boats come back to the dock and students help tidy up their boats for the next day’s sailing.

On some mornings, extreme heat and lack of wind may keep us from taking the boats out on the water, in which case we may take your children to the swimming pool at the Harborview condominium complex down the street or, very rarely, inside the Museum of Industry for a sailing-related movie. When thunder and lightening force us to stay under the pavilion, students normally play games and learn sailing skills like knot-tying or navigation.

What should my child bring?

• Non-marking, protective shoes (light-soled tennis shoes are recommended – do not bring flip-flops or other sandals that do not have heel straps)
  
• A hat or visor
  
• Sunglasses with a safety strap
  
• High SPF sunscreen
  
• A jacket in case it gets chilly or drizzly
  
• A swimsuit and towel in case we go swimming at the Harborview swimming pool
  
• Lunch

The DSC will provide lifejackets and plenty of fluids each day, as well as a large water bottle, ice water and a T-shirt for each child. Feel free to send an extra water bottle to camp with your child – having multiple bottle can only be a good thing. Sailors can build up quite a thirst!

Campers should each bring a lunch every day except Wednesday. Lunches will be stored in coolers to prevent them from spoiling in the heat. On Wednesday the campers sail to Fells Point for cheese pizza at Brick Oven Pizza. Your child does not need to bring either lunch or lunch money on Wednesday unless he or she has an allergy that prevents them from eating pizza. On Fridays the DSC treats the campers to an ice cream treat at the end of the day.

What shouldn’t my child bring?

Children should NOT bring:

• Knives or sharp tools of any kind
  
• Electronics (including games, iPods and cell phones)
  
• Walkie-talkies
  
• Valuables that could be damaged by water or lost
  
• Flip-flops or sandals that do not have heel straps
  
• Water guns - though there may be a specific “water gun day” where participants are allowed to bring water guns if they wish.
• This event will be announced to the participants during their first day of class.

Who are the instructors for the camp, and what are their qualifications?

U.S. Sailing, the national governing body of sailing in the United States, certifies all of our instructors. Instructors are at least 18 years old, and all are fingerprinted and subject to criminal background checks. All of our instructors are also Red Cross first aid and CPR certified. Feel free to meet the instructors when you drop off your child under the pavilion – they want to meet you!

What happens when it isn’t a good sailing day?

In case of rain or no wind, camp will continue underneath the large pavilion we have adjacent to the waterfront. Children will participate in sailing-related games and activities and will learn skills useful to sailors like knot-tying and navigation. If there the day is extremely hot and wind-free, we may take the children to the pool at the Harborview complex down the street from the DSC.

Will my child go swimming in the Inner Harbor?

There is a lot of boat activity in and around the Inner Harbor including pleasure boats and working vessels like tug boats and water taxis. For this reason, we do not allow the sailors to swim in the water in the Inner Harbor. Unlike most sailing centers, we use non-capsizable boats. Barring an accident, your child should never go into the water.

What are the rules of the camp?

• Follow the directions of the instructors and other DSC staff.
  
• Avoid horseplay.
  
• Walk, don’t run.
  
• Always wear lifejackets on and near the docks and boats.
  
• Respect everyone – instructors, campers and members of the community.
  
• Tell your instructor where you are going – even if it’s just to the bathroom.

What is the discipline policy of the Youth Sailing Program?

In order to ensure that all Juniors camps sailors can learn and have fun in a safe environment, all sailors must follow the rules and policies of the Juniors camp program. The DSC uses a “three-strike policy” for Juniors campers:

Strike One – The instructor disciplines the student and documents the situation in the camp’s logbook.

Strike Two– The instructor disciplines the student, documents the situation in the camp logbook, and notifies the program director. The program director discusses the situation with the parent/guardian either at the end of the day or by phone in the evening.

Strike Three– The instructor notifies the program director of the situation, the student is taken to the office, and the parent/guardian is notified immediately that the student has been dismissed from camp.

In addition, there are certain situations for which the DSC has a “zero-tolerance rule.” Based on the desire to operate the Juniors camp in such a way that all participants, instructors and members of the community are kept as safe as possible, there are certain behaviors which will not be tolerated. Specifically, this policy is designed to avoid any behaviors that would jeopardize the safety of the participant, other campers, instructors, or other members of the community. Some examples include: deliberately jumping off the boat, refusing to wear a life-jacket, bringing knives or other dangerous objects to camp, refusing to follow the directions of the instructors and fighting. Refunds for dismissed students will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

My child is being upset by another child’s inappropriate behavior, what can I do?

We reserve the right to expel any child for inappropriate or dangerous behavior (dangerous to themselves or others) without refund. If you have a complaint, please call the DSC and ask for the Director of Education and Programs and we can discuss ways of improving the situation.

Who (and what) are the Instructor's Assistants for the camp, and what are their qualifications?

Instructor's Assistants, also known as assistants, help instructors with basic camp tasks including setting up, cleaning up, teaching, and organizing younger campers.  Assistants are experienced campers 14 or older who have shown a very high level of personal responsibility and maturity as well as an interest in the position.

Assistants are ultimately campers themselves, however, and must pay the same amount as any other camper to attend the camp.  In truth, the benefits of being an assistant are mostly indirect - valuable experience, special consideration when they reach an age where they can be hired by the DSC as staff, resume building, and potentially volunteer credit for school requirements.
In order to apply to be an assistant, a camper must write a 1 page application explaining what they believe the position entails, why they would like to be an instructor's assistant, and why they would be a good assistant if picked.  Additionally, they should clearly state the name of the existing or past instructor who would be the best person to ask about their maturity, character and sailing skill.  Such applications can be submitted in person at the camp, before or during the summer, or submitted via e-mail to juniors@downtownsailing.org.  Submissions must come from the camper themselves - submissions from parents on behalf of their campers will not be considered!  Please be aware that it is quite regular for an assistant to spend a week or two as a regular camper (to "warm up") before being "promoted," so even if a camper is not ready to be an assistant on day one, oportunity still exists during the summer!

Please note that this assistant policy, cost and application process was reformulated for 2010, so if it looks new and different, it is!  If you have any questions about the policy, please call the youth program director at 410-727-0722.

How do I reschedule or cancel?

If you find a mistake or you need to reschedule, please send an email to juniors@downtownsailing.org or call the DSC office: (410) 727-0722 as soon as possible.

If you need to cancel, you must let us know 72 hours in advance to receive a refund or credit towards another session. Please be aware that the $100 deposit is non-refundable. Any additional amount paid past the deposit can be refunded or credited toward another session.

The Downtown Sailing Center is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit community sailing center.
Located at The Baltimore Museum of Industry
Photography donated by Andy Herbick Photography, and others.