Youth Sailing Courses
Middle Keys Sailing summer programs incorporate Beginner/Early Intermediate Learn to Sail, Intermediate/Advanced, and Racing Clinics for youth ages 7 - 17. All our classes teach Sailing & Science with our unique “Sailing into S.T.E.M.” curriculum, teaching fun marine sciences and environmental stewardship. Our students learn sailing basics and higher skills in Blue Dragons, Optis, Lasers, Sunfish, and Flying Scots, while also snorkeling in the crystal-clear water that surrounds our island home. All programs are operated and supported by the MYC Educational Foundation. We also hold race clinics, teaching how to sail faster, racing rules, tactics, rounding marks, starts, plus skills handling weather and current.
This program utilizes sailing as a vehicle for exploration, allowing students to travel to local marine sites and study various local marine creatures and processes. Classes may include local field trips and guest lecturers. All students must pass a swim test. Students and parents are invited to an end-of-summer party to celebrate their new skills.
New this year: We are expanding the science components of our programs! Students will be collecting and recording data on their flora and fauna sitings and water/air statistics, and learn to analyze and report the data they collect.
Winter Reading: Check out the following ebooks before you start classes:
Your First Weekend in Dinghy Sailing
Alex Learns to Sail (also available in hard copy)
NEW FOR SUMMER OF 2026
Offering all day and half day summer camp. All day camp gets preference over half day.
ALL DAY WEEKLY programs will meet 9 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. AGES 9 – 17 $300/week
HALF DAY WEEKLY programs are divided by age $170/week
Half Day Mornings ages 7-10: Mon-Thurs from 9 - Noon a.m.
Half Day Afternoons ages 11-17: Mon-Thurs 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Fridays are “full-days” 9 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. for the entire group to enjoy special activities together.
SINGLE DAY programs will meet 9 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. $75/day (excludes Race Clinic Week)
PRIVATE LESSONS available $100/hour, 2 hours minimum (no exceptions)
Registration MUST be completed online. Signup is first come basis until spots are full. If your selection is full, you will be contacted for an alternate session recommendation.
Payment must be made prior to camp attendance.
Prices are per sailor. If you are financially struggling, sign your child up for $1, AND be sure your child attends the session you choose. Discounts may also be available to those in need. See Financial Guidelines below.
2026 Registration Schedule
June 8 - June 12 Beginner/Early Intermediate
June 15 - June 12 Beginner/Early Intermediate
June 22 - June 26 Intermediate/Advanced
June 29 - July 3 All levels
July 6 - July 10 Race Clinic - Advanced Only
July 11 - Regatta “Mixer in the Middle” See Event Flyer for more information
July 13 - July 17 All levels
July 20 – July 24 **All Levels (Mini Lobster Season)
July 27-July 31 All Levels
Aug 3 - Aug 7 All Levels
Refer to ALL DAY/HALF DAY summer camp costs and times above
Financial Aid Guidelines below.
**Please do not sign up for this week if you plan on being busy with lobster mini-season on 7/22-23.
Beginning & Intermediate Youth Sailing
Enjoy learning and honing their skills on the fundamentals of sailing and local eco-science. Students who have never sailed and those who have sailed are all welcome. Topics include: parts of the boat, knots, capsize recovery, points of sail, how a sail functions, sailing upwind and downwind, rounding marks, and basic boat-handling drills. All of our classes also include snorkeling and an introduction to local marine science. This year, students will also be collecting amd recording data on their flora and fauna sitings and water/air statistics.
[Full or partial scholarships available for those in need. We will not turn any student away for financial reasons. Contact us for assistance.]
Intermediate & Advanced Youth Sailing
Intermediate & advanced sailors meet in the afternoons to learn to sail faster, honing boat handling and tactical skills, all while having a lot of fun learning. Students in this program will work on skills for racing in the Keys and on the mainland.
Intermediate and advanced youth sailors are highly encouraged to donate a few hours of their time as community service to help beginner sailors learn the ropes.
[Full or partial scholarships available for those in need. We will not turn any student away for financial reasons. Contact us for assistance.]
Advanced Skills Youth Sailing — Racing Skills Clinic
This one-week program focuses on increasing confidence on the water and refining sailing skills. Students practice advanced sailing techniques, games as well as competitive racing strategy and rules. Students must have sailing experience, be able to steer on all points of sail in light to moderate breeze, follow-the-leader comfortably, tack, gybe, and hike out. Students who do not specifically want to race are also welcome to learn and practice Race Committee (“Be-the-Boss”) Skills, Protest Committee (“Be-the-Judge”) Skills, and other fun regatta support functions. Sibling discounts may apply. Contact us for details.
*Financial aid is available. If you are unable to pay the full class tuition, please consider contacting us and making a donation that you can afford to help us cover costs to receive partial financial aid. If you are not able to cover class fees at all, please let us know and the registration fee will be $1, no questions asked.
Guideline for Qualifying for Financial Aid
Intermediate and advanced youth sailors are also highly encouraged to donate a few hours of their time as community service to help beginner sailors learn the ropes.
Please note: Any child registered for class is expected to attend, absent illness or valid excuse. Do NOT sign up your child unless he/she wants to attend, especially if you are using our financial assistance. In past years, several families who registered using our financial assistance were no-shows. If your child is a no-show, you are taking a spot that another child would have had, and we have paid an instructor to teach your absent child. We’re looking forward to your child joining in on the fun!