Youth Sailing Camp
Give your kids a memorable summer day camp experience at QCYC. Open to youth aged 8 to 17 years old, this program is an affordable way to get your kids out on the water and introduce them to sailing, while developing their sportsmanship, teamwork and social skills. And for those kids who’ve taken sailing lessons in the past, it’s the perfect place to continue their sailing instruction - many of our students return year after year.
Queen City’s Learn to Sail camp is situated on the Toronto Islands, providing an idyllic setting for summer fun. Kids spend their days outdoors, sailing, swimming and playing, surrounded by one of the world's most beautiful urban parks.
QCYC's private ferry leaves from the foot of York Street, which is easy to access via car or transit. It will bring your child directly to and from camp on the Toronto Islands, allowing them to “get out" of the city without actually ever leaving.
Safety is very important at QCYC, and we boast high instructor to student ratios in order to provide the best sailing experience. Our experienced instructors are certified by Sail Canada in sailing as well as boat rescue and first aid.
In our efforts to constantly improve our facilities, we recently installed floating docks for our Learn to Sail boats. These ensure that boats are easier to launch and haul out of
the water, and their placement in very shallow water makes them ideal for kids of all ages.
Once a session, parents are invited to QCYC Parents’ Night to tour the club facilities and go sailing with their kids. And at the end of the summer, we host a banquet for all students and parents, providing them with a chance to enjoy dinner and our annual awards ceremony.
For more pictures, visit the Learn to Sail Facebook Page.
We offer spring training sessions and a full summer program for sailors who are 8 to 17 years old.
Spring Training (CANSail 3 and up)
3 Sessions (Choose any 3 Saturdays from the posted dates) Cost: $275.00 (plus HST)
5 Sessions (Attend all 5 Saturdays listed)
Cost: $375.00 (plus HST)
These workshop-style training sessions are a great way to prepare for your summer session, and are open to all students for instruction and practice. A variety of skills will be covered, including any student-specific interests or needs. Students can work on CANSail checklist requirements, or just enjoy an afternoon on the water. Sessions will be 5 hours long and most of that time will be spent on the water. These will be run on May 27, June 3, June 10, June 17, and June 24.
2-week option:
Cost: $695.00 (plus HST)
iCANSail/CANSail 1 - Learn to Sail, Part 1
First-time sailors should sign up for this beginner level, which teaches fundamental sailing skills. Taught in small, double-handed boats, it’s a fun and safe introduction to basic sailing, with adventures to the Toronto Island beaches, team-building games and lots of on-water activities.
Most young sailors start by completing their iCANSail checklist, learning to become comfortable on and in the water, using the basic sail controls, and working as part of a team. In some cases (based on age, athleticism and experience), campers will begin working on their CANSail 1 checklist right away.
CANSail 2 - Learn to Sail, Part 2
This level introduces more complex versions of the introductory skills learned in CANSail 1. Sailors are expected to take the helm more often (steer the boat), and fine-tune their boat handling skills to ready themselves for intermediate sailing. However, this is still a very fun-centred level, involving plenty of on-water adventures and games.
4-week option:
Cost: $1,335.00 (plus HST)
2-week option:
Cost: $685.00 (plus HST)
CANSail 3 - Learn to Sail Fast
In this level, sailors acquire applied skills in larger, double-handed boats (420s). More time is spent training on the water, and sailors are given the opportunity to try racing in local competitions. There will be some flexibility in the scheduling of 2-week sessions. Please contact us to make arrangements.
CANSail 4 - Learn to Sail Fast
Sailors train to tune and handle their boat with ease as they further their understanding of what does and doesn't make their boat move faster. A fundamental understanding of basic tactics and physics is taught, and sailors are encouraged to participate in some local regattas.
A regatta fee of $50 for 2 week and $100 for 4 week session is added at check-out. Please include this fee if your sailor will be participating in local regattas.
4-week option:
Cost: $1,385.00 (plus HST)
CANSail 5 or 6 - Learn to Train
In this level, sailors fine-tune and solidify all previously learned sailing skills as they compete in regular competition. The goal is to prepare for, and participate in, a full season of training and competition, including attendance at regional regattas.
Please note that the regatta schedule is tentative. Regatta registration, accommodation and other travel-related costs are not included in course fees, and an additional regatta fee of $150 per session is required. Parents should be prepared to help carpool, tow boats and chaperone participants at regattas. Please inquire for further details.