Design. Build. Sail. Summer Camp
Design. Build. Sail. a SUMMER CAMP FOR AGES 8-12
Your camper will explore everything the Nauticus campus has to offer as they dive into STEM-based activities onboard our Harbor 20 sailboats, the schooner Virginia, the battleship Wisconsin and inside our reimagined discovery center!
Throughout the week campers will conduct science experiments, learn to sail on the Elizabeth River, explore the resiliency of Norfolk, and much more.
Dates: June 24 – August 9
Registration is now OPEN!
Weeks 1 – 4 Time: 9 AM – 3 PM, Monday – Friday. Drop off starts at 8:30AM. Pick up ends at 3:15 PM.
Weeks 5 & 6 Time: 9 AM – 5:30 PM, Monday – Friday. Drop off starts at 8:30AM. Pick up ends at 5:30 PM.
Select week to register:
Week 1: June 24 – 28 SOLD OUT
Week 2: July 8 – 12 SOLD OUT
Week 3: July 15 – 19 SOLD OUT
Week 4: July 22 – 26 SOLD OUT
Week 5: July 29 – August 2** SOLD OUT
Week 6: August 5 – 9** SOLD OUT
**After-Care included in price of $475 non-member / $450 members.
Please verify you are registering for the correct week during check-out!
COST
Week 1 -4 Members: $375
Week 5 & 6 Members: $450
Week 1 – 4 Non-Members: $400
Week 5 & 6 Non-Members: $475
Not a member yet? Join now for special discounts and exclusive benefit! Membership Questions? Email or call 757-664-1005
Nauticus Member Discount: In order to receive your Nauticus Member discount, members must click “Sign In” in the upper right corner prior to placing tickets in your shopping cart. If you have not yet registered, click the “Register” link in the upper right corner and register with the SAME email address that you provided when becoming a member. Once registered and signed in, the member discount will be applied to the camp registration and reflected in the total amount at checkout.
Explore the camp
Campers will be immersed in the world of sailing during their experience at one of Nauticus Summer Camps. Whether it’s steering a Harbor 20 sailboat in the Elizabeth River or tying knots on the Schooner Virginia in the Chesapeake Bay, campers will take away the science behind sailing and more. Along with the sailing techniques, campers will learn life skills such as leadership, communication and teamwork.
Campers will explore the battleship, discovery center and Schooner Virginia. In addition, campers will experience our new permanent exhibit Norfolk In Time.
Four words: Duct tape boat regatta!
Throughout the week, Design.Build.Sail. campers will collect marine debris from the Elizabeth River and use recycled materials to construct their own makeshift boat to be raced in the Nauticus entrance pond at the end of the week. Parents are welcome to cheer on their camper!
Throughout the week, campers will learn how Nauticus practices environmental conservation on its campus. As they venture around the Elizabeth River and Chesapeake Bay, campers will understand how marine debris affects the ecosystem and come up with pollution prevention ideas.
frequently Asked questions
Design, Build, Sail. is for children 8-12 years of age, or rising 3rd through 6th graders. Each week will run two age groups: 8-9 years old (3rd & 4th graders) and 10-12 years old (5th & 6th graders). Please select a week below that corresponding with your camper’s age.
Unfortunately, due to the nature of the camp, we cannot allow campers younger than rising 3rd graders to participate in Design. Build. Sail. We appreciate your interest and ask that you please remember us as your child grows!
We will be happy to add your child to our waitlist for camp in the next or upcoming years if they do not meet the age criteria. Please reach out to info@sailnauticus.org for more information.
Please drop your child off in front of Nauticus between 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. daily. For weeks 1-4, you can pick them up at the same place between 3:00 – 3:15 p.m. For weeks 5 and 6, you can pick them up at the same place between 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. A Nauticus instructor will meet campers in the front loop of Nauticus for drop off and pickup. Please remain in your vehicle.
We will ask for confirmation each day at pick up before signing out your child.
Campers in groups of three or four will be taught by a trained instructor on each Harbor 20 sailboat.
While we try to give our campers a diverse experience and encourage new friendships, we will do our best to accommodate your request!
Sailing in the rain is a sail your camper is sure remember, especially if the wind is up. However, safety is our priority, and we will not sail if lightning and thunder or any other threatening weather conditions are a factor, nor will we sail in winds above 20 knots. If poor weather occurs, land-based activities will be held until the weather clears up.
No, food is not provided. Please ensure your child brings a water bottle, bag lunch, and two snacks daily. Campers should label coolers and water bottles.
After care is required weeks 5 & 6 of Design Build Sail Camp.
Camp Time for Weeks 5 & 6: 9AM – 5:30PM
Week 5: 7/31 – 8/4*
Week 6: 8/7 – 8/11*
*After-Care included in price of $475 non-member / $450 members
We will make every attempt to reschedule your child’s camp experience. However, if you need to cancel or reschedule for any reason, changes are subject to a $25 processing fee.
Refunds will be made according to the timeline below:
- Cancellations made more than 4 weeks in advance of the scheduled start date of camp are entitled to a full refund minus the $25 processing fee.
- Cancellations made less than 4 weeks and more than 1 week in advance of the scheduled start date camp are entitled to a 50% refund of the camp tuition minus the $25 processing fee.
- Cancellations made less than 1 week in advance of the scheduled camp start date are non-refundable.
No refunds or discounts will be made for missed classes, vacation days or dismissal from the program.
Contact Sail Nauticus Department by email or phone 757-823-4242