Skip to main content

Oak Orchard

Yacht Club



HomeYouth Sailing

Welcome to Oak Orchard Yacht Club's
Youth Sailing School Page!

full_screen_YS_Logo_2026
OOYC_Sail_Basics_Class_Report_Bullfrog_Article_August_2025
FINAL_OOYC_Sail_Basics_Class_2026_FLYER
FINAL_OOYC_Sail_Basics_Class_2026_FLYER
FINAL_OOYC_Sail_Basics_Class_2026_FLYER_1_

ATTENTION: Our next Sail Basics Class is officially open for
registration and is scheduled for Saturday, June 20th, 2026!


This class is designed for ALL ages but please note, this is not a drop off program.

All children under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.


Please contact Kim Hofmann for more information and early registration.
Class size is limited and we are already up to 26 students!

Text: (585) 356-9086 or email: Membership@ooyc.org

2025_Youth_Sailing_Photo_Collage
2025_Youth_Sailing_Photo_Collage_1_
2025_Youth_Sailing_Photo_Collage_2_

O O Y C  Y O U T H  S A I L I N G  2 0 2 6

Youth Sailing (p3)

ABOUT

YOU WILL LEARN

OUR FLEET

  • Courses are taught by qualified coaches who have graduated from youth sailing programs in the past.
  • Lead instructors are certified Level One through the US Sailing Association.
  • Adult OOYC staff members supervise daily activities.
  • Youth Sailing Camp is held at Oak Orchard Yacht Club, 1103 Archbald Road Waterport, NY, 14571
  • On most days friends and family members can observe youth sailors racing on the lake from the east side break wall at the mouth of Oak Orchard Creek next to the light house!
  • How to rig a sailboat and the important sailing knots
  • How to solo in a small sailboat 
  • How to steer the boat and adjust sails while understanding wind direction and speed
  • Rules-of-the-Road while boating to keep everyone safe
  • Basic racing skills and tactics
  • When we are not able to go out on the lake to sail we play boating games, kickball, wiffle ball, go swimming and other fun activities!
  • Optimist Dinghies (Opti) - the most popular small sailboat in the world, it is a single sail and stable boat designed for use by children. The Opti is an excellent boat for beginners; most campers are sailing on their own within the first hour of instruction.
  • Club / Collegiate 420 - Designed to be sailed by a crew of two, it has two sails (a main and a jib). The 420 is fast and agile used at many colleges in their race programs.
  • Safety Power Boats - Used by our instructors and coaches during training days out on the lake.
IMG-0128
Hodgins in Opti at Olcott Regatta 2025
DC4BB561-C25D-4773-80F5-8D521ED7FDFB

“Our goal is to introduce young people to sailing and teach them the skills to succeed while making it fun in a day-camp setting!"

REQUIREMENTS

RATES & SCHEDULE

HOW TO REGISTER
  • Must be 9 years old by the first day of camp.
  • Must be able to swim 50 yards without wearing a PFD (Personal Floatation Device/ Life Jacket). *Swim tests will be given on the first day. (Full reimbursement of funds for any child/ teen who is not able to pass the swim test.)
  • Each child/ teen is responsible to bring their own PFD that fits properly. We will fit test PFDs on the first day. We prefer bright colored PFDs (yellow, orange, pink) over those that match the color of the water (black, grey or dark blue).
  • Closed toed sneakers, boat shoes or water shoes are required.
  • Sunscreen, lip balm and water bottles are advised.
  • Towels, cell phones, dry clothes, etc. can be kept in a dry box on our safety boats.
  • Bring a lunch each day. On days camp provides lunch you will be notified ahead of time.

  • Sailors will not be required to purchase any additional gear for our sail school than what is already explained above.
  • Sailors agree to follow all Safety Rules and coaches' instructions.

OOYC Youth Sailing is a Day School
Monday through Friday: 9 am to 4 pm
Ages 9 - 18


SESSION 1: JULY 13-July 24 

SESSION 2: JULY 27-August 7


Single Session/Non-Member: $485

Single Session/OOYC Member or Sibling: $445


Double Session/Non-Member: $970

Double Session/OOYC Member or Sibling: $890


*Member discounts apply to current OOYC
member children and grandchildren!


Please do not hesitate to apply for a
partial or full scholarship!

Early registration discount is an additional $25 per camper if fully paid by April 1st!

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!


1. Download and print off both the registration form and the waiver and medical history form.

2. Reach out to our registration volunteer, Kim Hofmann (585) 356-9086, to specify what sessions your sailor(s) plan to attend.

3. You will be sent a custom invoice via email


4. Mail ALL REQUIRED AND COMPLETED documents
with a $25 deposit check or full camp payment to: 


Oak Orchard Sailing School
PO Box #300 Albion, NY 14411


*Please make checks payable to:
Oak Orchard Yacht Club
MEMO: YOUTH SAILING

If you do not have access to a printer, please let us know! We can easily mail you all of the forms needed to register your child! 

IMG_9898
IMG_9899
IMG_9901

Oak Orchard Yacht Club's Director of Youth Educational Boating: Becky Almeter!

Becky Almeter

Becky is continuing in the position of director of Fleet Captain of Educational Boating and will be directing Youth Sailing for the summer of 2026. Having been raised on the water surrounding Oak Orchard, and been a student and instructor in the program, her vision is that the program continues to provide a safe, fun and educational experience for all sailors and their families. Three of Becky’s 5 children will be participating in this summer’s sessions. Please reach out to her by phone, text or email at beckya@hodginsengraving.com with any questions regarding the program!


For youth sailing educational questions please contact:

Becky Almeter:
(585)813-7259

For all registration inquiries please contact:
Kim Hofmann:
(585)356-9086 call or text)

09AA3BEB-CA03-430C-9FE0-9744C5F17D6A