FAQ
When and where is the camp?
Sessions start at 9:00am on Monday morning, so please have your child here on time; you don’t want
them to miss the boats, after all! We are located right on the grounds of the Baltimore Museum
of Industry at 1425 Key Highway. Look for the big red crane!
Need driving directions?
How does Extended Day work?
The DSC offers extended days for children who need to be dropped off early or picked up late.
These extended day sessions run from 8:15am to 9:00am and 4:00pm to 5:00pm.
Each extended day will cost $10.00 and must be paid in full on the first day of your child’s session.
What does the timetable of an average day look like?
Class will start at 9:00am with a lecture and will then move to the docks and out onto the water. Each boat
will go out in the morning, sail, and then come back to the sailing center for lunch under the pavilion around
noon. After lunch, the sailors will have access to a variety of activities both on land and on the water
until pick-up at 4pm.
What should my child bring?
- Non-marking, protective shoes (light-soled shoes such as tennis shoes - NO Teva sandals or flip-flops
as they don't protect toes from deck hardware!)
- 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 Marina swimming pool.
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. Of course having multiple bottles can only be a good thing so feel free to send a
water bottle with your child. Sailors can build up quite a thirst!
Each child should bring a lunch on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. These lunches will be stored in
coolers. On Wednesday we treat the campers to cheese pizza for lunch. Your child does not need to bring either
lunch or lunch money on Wednesday.
In addition, Fridays are ice-cream days at the DSC. After sailing, all the children will walk up to Earl’s
Ice Cream Parlor on Fort Avenue where they can have ice cream. Another the DSC treat!
What shouldn’t my child bring?
Children should NOT bring:
- Knives or sharp tools of any kind
- Electronics (including games and cell phones)
- Walkie-talkies
- Valuables that could be damaged by water or lost
- Tevas or flip-flops, which do not protect toes from sharp pieces of sailing hardware
- 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?
US SAILING, the national governing body of sailing in the United States, certifies all of our instructors.
The instructors must be at least 18 years old, and all have gone through criminal background checks. In
addition, all of our instructors are Red Cross first aid and CPR certified. Feel free to meet the instructors,
parents, and other children under the picnic 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 picnic pavilion we have
adjacent to the waterfront. Children will participate in sailing-related games and activities and will learn
sailing skills off the water (knot tying, land drills, etc.).
Will my child go swimming in the Inner Harbor?
There is a lot of boat activity in and around the Inner Harbor - from pleasure boats to working vessels (such as
water taxis, tug boats and freighters). For safety reasons, we do not allow the sailors to swim in the water
in the Inner Harbor. Unlike most sailing centers, we use non-capsizable boats. So, barring accident, your child
should never go into the water. However each parent must sign a certification that their child can swim.
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.
- Wear shoes at all times.
- Respect everyone – instructors, campers, and members of the community.
- Students must make sure their instructor knows where they are at all times.
What is the discipline policy of the Youth Sailing Program?
In order to ensure the safety, fun, and learning of all participants, all youth
program sailors must follow the rules and policies of the youth program. As it relates to discipline and
following the camp rules, the DSC subscribes to the “3 strikes policy.”
Strike One – The instructor disciplines the student and documents
the situation in the Camp Log Book.
Strike Two– The instructor disciplines the student, documents
the situation in the Camp Log Book, 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 a “No Tolerance Policy”
is in effect. Based on the desire to operate the Youth Sailing Program 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, fighting, etc. 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.
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.
If you need to cancel, you must let us know 72 hours in advance to receive a refund or credit towards another session. But
be aware that the $100.00 deposit is non-refundable. Only the deposit is non-refundable; any additional amount paid can be
refunded or credited toward another session.
See Registration ->