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!
How do I get there?
The Downtown Sailing Center is located on the waterfront of the Baltimore Museum of Industry
in Federal Hill, just two minutes from 95 and Key Highway, and 7 minutes from 695 and 95.
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 $20.00 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.
I have concerns about medical issues or medication... who should I talk too?
Call the DSC office at 410-727-0722 and ask to speak to the Deputy Director of Outreach and Youth Programs.
That person should be able to answer any of your questions. We are committed to safety and comfort of
all our participants... let us answer your questions and meet your needs. If your child is particularly
medically fragile please call to discuss the effects of wind, sun, and a little salt spray on their health.
My child has limited mobility... can they go sailing?
Our docks have wheelchair accessible ramps, we use boats specifically designed for people with limited
mobility, and we use a hoyer lift and trained staff to transfer participants. Once in the boat they can
be stabilized in place with floating pads and are very secure – the boat is designed to be uncapsizable
and the primary controls are a single rope with an automatic brake (called a cleat) and a small joystick
for steering.
While we can (and have) sailed safely with folks who are quadriplegic, this summer we are limiting our
programs to a certain level of mobility and medical fragility – If you are concerned please call our
office at 410-727-0722.
My child is developmentally different... can they go sailing?
Our staff is experienced and have been trained to work with participants who have both physical and cognitive
disabilities. Our one-on-one staff to student ratio allows private lessons or group lessons, giving us great
flexibility in structure and content. If you have questions or concerns about your child please call our
office at 410-727-0722.
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.
The DSC will provide life-jackets 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 (unless there is a dietary restriction).
In addition, Fridays are ice-cream (or snow cone) days at the DSC, if this paticular treat is not a good
match for your camper, give us a call!
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 sailinginstructors.
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. We also have a staff
member who is working on her masters on OT at Towson, and has extensive experience working with people
with disabilities. 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 we still insist that each child wears a life jacket.
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
sailing@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 $150.00 deposit is non-refundable. Only the deposit is non-refundable; any additional amount paid can be
refunded or credited toward another session.
Can I come sailing with my child? Can a helper or friend come?
Definitely! Just call ahead to confirm price (there may be an additional cost depending on the age or responsibility
of the person) but we would be happy to have an adult, friend, or other responsibility party participate.
If you have additional questions, please call the DSC office: (410) 727.0722.
Or send an email to sailing@downtownsailing.org
See Registration ->