Youth education
Spaulding Marine Center offers youth programs that combine sailing, woodworking, and environmental learning on a working waterfront. Our programs are hands on, skill based, and designed for young people who learn best by doing. We welcome both beginners and returning students and focus on building confidence, curiosity, and practical skills in a supportive setting.
course overviews
SUMMER SAILING CAMP
Summer Sea Camp is a day camp based at the Spaulding Marine Center, offering a unique blend of sailing and hands-on woodworking experiences. Campers spend half of each day learning to sail on our fleet of Pelican sailboats and the other half working in our wood shop.
In sailing, campers will learn essential skills from 2-3 experienced instructors, including knot tying, sail trim, navigation, safety at sea, and the maritime history of the area. Emphasis is placed on stewardship of the bay, learning through play, and active participation. Additional activities may include games at the park, kayaking, oceanography lessons, beach cleanups, and boat rides aboard one of our historic vessels.
In the woodshop, campers will learn to use basic tools and create hands-on projects. Woodshop instructors start with shop safety and proper use of hand and power tools. Projects may include building a model sailboat, crafting wooden items to take home, or painting and maintaining our fleet of Pelicans.
This camp is perfect for kids who:
Love hands-on learning and building.
Are curious about the bay, maritime world, science, or crafts.
Thrive in smaller group settings, as each week is capped at just 10 students.
Join us for a summer of fun, discovery, and creativity!
Homeschool Program
Spaulding Marine Center offers semester long homeschool sessions during the school year for students interested in sailing, woodworking, maritime history, and environmental science.
Sessions meet on Wednesdays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at Spaulding Marine Center.
The Spring 2026 session runs from March 4 through June 3, with no class on April 8.
This program is open to students ages 12 to 16 and is suitable for both returning and new students.
Program Overview
The Homeschool Program is designed to support independent learning while encouraging collaboration and exploration.
Students work at their own pace as they sail, build, and investigate the natural and maritime environment of San Francisco Bay.
Time is shared between the water, the woodshop, and outdoor learning spaces, helping students develop practical skills and a strong sense of place.
Sailing curriculum
Students learn the fundamentals of sailing aboard Spaulding’s Pelican sailboats. Instruction covers safety, rigging and derigging, points of sail, wind awareness, steering, tacking, jibing, and docking. Lessons emphasize teamwork, communication, and care for the marine environment, with regular time spent sailing on the Bay.
woodworking curriculum
Students receive thorough instruction in shop safety, hand tools, and basic woodworking machines such as the bandsaw, drill press, and belt sander. Early projects typically include a small box and a cutting board, focusing on measurement, layout, joinery, and finishing. As skills develop, students are encouraged to design and build independent projects.
Environmental & science curriculum
Environmental learning is woven throughout the program. Students study local ecology, weather patterns, wind, watersheds, and marine life, along with pollution prevention and stewardship practices. Hands on activities may include beach cleanups, observation, and simple field investigations that connect science to daily life on the Bay.
Local field trips
Field trips expand learning beyond Spaulding and may include visits to local maritime organizations and museums. Students also have opportunities to sail aboard larger vessels, including race boats and Spaulding’s historic flagship Freda, the oldest sailing yacht on the West Coast.
Sailing & waterfront activities
Campers learn basic sailing skills including knots, sail trim, navigation, and safety, with instruction from experienced sailing staff. Learning is hands on and active, with an emphasis on teamwork, confidence on the water, and respect for the Bay. Additional activities may include kayaking, beach cleanups, games, marine science lessons, and trips aboard Spaulding’s historic vessels.
Woodshop activities
In the woodshop, campers are introduced to tool safety and basic woodworking techniques using both hand and power tools. Projects vary by session and may include model boats, small wooden builds, or hands-on maintenance and painting of Spaulding’s Pelican fleet.
