Schooner Camp: Our Programs

Jump to: Shore Camps | Land & Sea Camps | Junior Counselor Program

Download 2021 Camp Brochure Here

Search for Long Island Sound marine life as we explore the Long Wharf Nature Preserve! Coast Questers & Coastal Explorers campers spend most of their day on the Long Island Sound coastline, discovering horseshoe crabs, oysters and other shoreline shellfish and shorebirds in their natural habitats.

Campers play games, learn about the preserve and local coastal ecosystem  while conducting fun experiments, singing songs, and getting their feet wet. 

Coast Questers: Ages 6-7

Welcome Coast Questers! Join us as we transform into nature ninjas- stalking fiddler crabs and discovering the ancient past of the extinct Giant Sea Scorpion! Navigate the nature preserve during scavenger hunts, make your own maps, play games and have fun, while making new human and nature friends. Mudflat castles, arts & crafts- we’ve got that too!

Coastal Explorers: Ages 8-9

Schooner Camp is located on Long Island Sound, home to an important nursery for the ocean’s food supply. How do we learn about this amazing place? We ask questions, like scientists! We also make observations while we play along the shore, to see who lives there and to learn about why this community is so important. With your counselors, you will explore the unique habitats of Long Wharf Nature Preserve, and create  nature collections while you learn about the many animal and plant species that call the Preserve their home. Meet marine scientists and learn about what they do and why!  Join us in the fun!

Welcome to the amphibious lifestyle of Schooner’s Land 

& Sea Camps for ages 9-14!

Beginning & Intermediate Sailing

(no previous sailing experience necessary)

Skimmers: Ages 9-10

Ospreys: Ages 11-12

Campers in both Skimmers & Osprey spend half their day exploring the diverse habitats of the Long Island Sound from land and the other half is spent on the water learning the fundamentals of basic sailing! Campers learn how to sail a small sailboat, learning basic boat rigging, handling and safety. They will also learn knots, nomenclature, and how to work and communicate with a crew. Develop courage, focus and tenacity adventuring on the protected waters of the New Haven Harbor, while engaged in a science-based curriculum, crafts, and coastal exploration. Campers will also engineer and build their own mini recycled material boats or fiddler crab traps, and engage in other fun S.T.E.A.M.( Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) challenges!

Sea Stewards: Ages 13-14

Sea Stewards is a leaders in training (LIT) & sailing camp is for young teens.  The focus is on building interpersonal, leadership, and sailing skills, while  interacting with younger campers on and off the water. Campers participate in half a day of sailing activities, and half day land activities, mentoring younger campers on how to be environmental stewards assisting Environmental Educators and Sailing Instructors.

Leaders will have the opportunity to develop a conservation campaign, and to teach younger campers how to be responsible earth stewards. Campers will also learn ways that conservation scientists collect data about ecosystems, and participate in community science projects around the nature preserve. 

Advanced Sailing

(previous sailing experience necessary)

Sea Scouts: Ages 10-12

Campers in this adventure sailing program must have some previous experience sailing. This two-week program will give campers a more in-depth experience with sailing, skippering and maneuvering sailboats. Campers spend half their day exploring the diverse habitats either on land or by kayak on Long Island Sound and will sail during the other half! Campers learn detailed boat safety and handling maneuvers, advanced knots and nomenclature and how to work and communicate with a crew. Learn some basic survival skills on both land and water along the way! 

This program is inspired by the BSA Sea Scout Program framework to introduce campers to a more in-depth and applied experience navigating the waters of Long Island Sound that will carry their experience beyond Schooner.

*previous experience is defined by: two 2-week programs or another equivalent to a month’s worth of sailing

*Slight modification: We will be using canoes not kayaks.

Volunteer with us this summer!

Schooner Camp is seeking High School students for Junior Counselor Positions sailing and working with kids at Sound School this summer!

(Register through Campdocs(Register button) and then a short application will be sent to make sure a JC position is right for you)

Season A: June 28- July 23

Season B: July 18-August 20

Requirements: 

• Must be 15+
• Interested in teaching youth
• Maturity and ability to have fun!
• Sailing experience needed for Sailing Counselors
• Experience working/babysitting with young kids is preferred

Note: If seeking a paid position apply through the City of New Haven- Youth@Work (limited positions available)

* Training week is required for all JCs the week prior to the start of the camp season.

Junior Counselor Policies

2021 COVID-19 Modifications

Schooner Camp is licensed by the State of Connecticut Office of Early Childhood(OEC) as a Summer Day Youth Camp, and are committed to meet and go beyond all relevant guidelines from both the OEC and CDC to keep campers and staff safe.

All camps will run in 2-week sessions to keep campers and staff consistent and limit mixing of groups.

 Pricing Structure

Shore Camps

$520/2wk session

       Science & Sailing Camps

$720/2wk session

Scholarships Available

Updated COVID 19 Camp Guidelines (as of 6/16/21)

Campdoc Registration help