Youth Sailing - Oak Orchard Yacht Club

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Welcome to Oak Orchard Yacht Club's
Youth Sailing School Page!

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ATTENTION: Our next Sail Basics Class is officially scheduled for Saturday, June 20th, 2026!

This class is designed for ALL ages but please note, this is not a drop off program.

All children under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

The morning session will consist of classroom instruction, knot tying 101, and yard games!

We will break for lunch (come with a sac lunch) at 11:30.

After lunch, weather permitting, will be a 2 hour on water instruction time.

We will be using C420s for all teenagers that passed the swim test and large keel boats for adults and young children.

Please contact Kim Hofmann for more information and early registration. Class size is limited!

Text: (585) 356-9086 or email: Membership@ooyc.org

OOYC Youth Sailing is a Day School

Monday through Friday: 9 am to 4 pm

Oak Orchard Yacht Club is again offering multiple sessions of Youth Sailing instruction this summer for ages 9-18.

Come out to Lake Ontario and enjoy summer days on the water!
Instruction emphasizes on-the-water training with some classroom time for beginning through advanced sailors!

“Our goal is to introduce young people to sailing and teach them the skills to succeed while making it fun in a day-camp setting!"

~ Youth Sailing 2026 dates have been announced! ~
Next summer we are offering (2) two week long sessions
Try one or both sessions while slots last!

2026 SESSION DATES

SESSION 1:
JULY 13 - July 24

SESSION 2:
JULY 27 - August 7

*see requirements & prices below*

ABOUT

YOU WILL LEARN

OUR FLEET

Courses are taught by qualified coaches who have graduated from youth sailing programs in the past.

Lead instructors are certified Level One through the US Sailing Association.

Adult OOYC staff members supervise daily activities.

Youth Sailing Camp is held at Oak Orchard Yacht Club, 1103 Archbald Road Waterport, NY, 14571

On most days friends and family members can observe youth sailors racing on the lake from the east side break wall at the mouth of Oak Orchard Creek next to the light house!

How to rig a sailboat and the important sailing knots

How to solo in a small sailboat

How to steer the boat and adjust sails while understanding wind direction and speed

Rules-of-the-Road while boating to keep everyone safe

Basic racing skills and tactics

When we are not able to go out on the lake to sail we play boating games, kickball, wiffle ball, go swimming and other fun activities!

Optimist Dinghies (Opti) - the most popular small sailboat in the world, it is a single sail and stable boat designed for use by children. The Opti is an excellent boat for beginners; most campers are sailing on their own within the first hour of instruction.

Club / Collegiate 420 - Designed to be sailed by a crew of two, it has two sails (a main and a jib). The 420 is fast and agile used at many colleges in their race programs.

Safety Power Boats - Used by our instructors and coaches during training days out on the lake.

Parents and family members are invited to our awards picnic lunch in our clubhouse after camp has been completed!
Exact date and time TBD for 2026.
Weather permitting family members may be invited to go out on the lake to sail with your youth sailors or observe your children racing from OOYC member’s powerboats.

REQUIREMENTS

2026 RATES & SCHEDULE

Must be 9 years old by the first day of camp.

Must be able to swim 50 yards without wearing a PFD (Personal Floatation Device/ Life Jacket). *Swim tests will be given on the first day. (Full reimbursement of funds for any child/ teen who is not able to pass the swim test.)

Each child/ teen is responsible to bring their own PFD that fits properly. We will fit test PFDs on the first day. We prefer bright colored PFDs (yellow, orange, pink) over those that match the color of the water (black, grey or dark blue).

Closed toed sneakers, boat shoes or water shoes are required.

Sunscreen, lip balm and water bottles are advised.

Towels, cell phones, dry clothes, etc. can be kept in a dry box on our safety boats.

Bring a lunch each day. On days camp provides lunch you will be notified ahead of time.
Sailors will not be required to purchase any additional gear for our sail school than what is already explained above.

Sailors agree to follow all Safety Rules and coaches' instructions.

Day Camp (Mon. - Fri.)

9 AM drop off - 4 PM pick up

Single Session/ Non-Member: $485

Single Session/ OOYC Member or Sibling: $445

Double Session/ Non-Member: $970

Double Session/ OOYC Member or Sibling: $890

*Member discounts apply to current OOYC
member children and grandchildren!

Please do not hesitate to apply for a
partial or full scholarship!

We have space constraints.
Apply early to secure a place!

Early registration discount is an additional $25 per camper if fully paid by March 1st!

Youth Sailing Registration Form

2026 Waiver & Medical History Form: Youth Sailing School

EARY BIRD RESERVATIONS ARE OPEN OPEN!

1. Download and print off both the registration form and the waiver and medical history form.

2. Reach out to our registration volunteer, Kim Hofmann (585) 356-9086, to specify what sessions your sailor(s) plan to attend.

3. You will be sent a custom invoice via email for a deposit of $25 per sailor.

4. Mail ALL REQUIRED AND COMPLETED documents
with a $25 deposit check to:

Oak Orchard Sailing School
P.O. Box #300 Albion, NY 14411

*Please make checks payable to Oak Orchard Yacht Club
MEMO: YOUTH SAILING DEPOSIT

If you do not have access to a printer, please let us know! We can easily mail you all of the forms needed to register your child!

Oak Orchard Yacht Club's Director of Youth Educational Boating: Becky Almeter!

Becky is continuing in the position of director of Fleet Captain of Educational Boating and will be directing Youth Sailing for the summer of 2026. Having been raised on the water surrounding Oak Orchard, and been a student and instructor in the program, her vision is that the program continues to provide a safe, fun and educational experience for all sailors and their families. Three of Becky’s 5 children will be participating in this summer’s sessions. Please reach out to her by phone, text or email at beckya@hodginsengraving.comwith any questions regarding the program!

For Youth Sailing educational questions please contact:
Becky Almeter, (585) 813 - 7259

For all registration inquiries please contact:
Kim Hofmann, (585) 356 - 9086 (call or text)

Oak Orchard Sailing School
P.O. Box 300
Albion, New York 14411

Click here to read more about Becky published in the Orleans Hub!