What is a holiday camp?
Ever wanted to go to school holiday camps or adventure holiday camps which encourage fun and learning for children? Are you an avid learner and thrill seeker? Think of something where you will be going on a holiday where you will be engaging with a diverse group of people while participating in many fun activities and educational camp experiences to facilitate learning various skills. Specialty camp options can range from swimming, sailing, yachting, talent hunting, science projects, environmental projects, scouting, and whatnot; the possibilities are endless. That is a holiday camp for you. After this camp, you will be left with lifelong friends who you share special bonds with, learn outstanding new skills, have exciting outdoor exploration for kids to have fun, and grow as an individual on a personal level.
Why is sailing a good activity for a holiday camp?
Sailing is one of the oldest and most essential skills that human beings have managed to learn. Not only is sailing a vital skill to learn, but it is also enjoyable and engaging as a hobby. Let us take a look at a few reasons why sailing is one of the top summer camp programs.
- Acquiring an Essential Life Skill:
Sailing is one of the oldest forms of sport that humans have engaged in. Not only is it a fun activity for school vacation programs, it is also a crucial life skill to learn especially if you live near the sea. Think of the thrill and joy when you will be able to steer a boat for the first time?
- Building Lifelong Friendships:
It is a great way of having fun and learning for children. While learning how to sail, you will be engaging with your fellow crew members. All of you will be acting as a team to get the boat to function properly. Not only will you be having a rich social life at the camp, you will end the day with lifelong friendships.
- Developing Leadership Qualities and Team Work:
Sailing will need you to work as a cooperative team while pushing you to take the front wheel in many cases. These educational camp experiences will help you develop essential leadership skills while enforcing the importance of team work time and time again, preparing you to take on real-life challenges with ease at these camps for teens.
- Taking Responsibilities:
Sailing requires a lot of work and at times, serious courage and quick thinking. Every crew member has their own work stations but all of you work as a team. So, every now and then, you will need to take the wheel and lead your crew out of a tough situation. Similarly, you will also need to follow the leadership of your fellow crew members if the situation calls for it, making it the perfect ‘outdoor exploration for kids’ activity.
- Better Physical and Mental Health:
Sailing is an excellent way of working out without even realising it. This will encourage an active lifestyle and better physical health and fitness immensely. The hours spent working, socialising, learning and having fun with excellent company in the lap of mother nature is bound to improve your mental health as well. Are there better camps for teens than this? I don’t think so.
- Increased Environmental Awareness and Concern:
Once you start spending hours out in the sea, you will gradually start experiencing a strong feeling of connection with the natural world. Fun and learning for children in the lap of nature, marine life and everything that comes with it will start becoming an integral part of your life and the more you start falling in love with it, the more you will become concerned and invested about their well-being and protection. In short, you will become an environmentalist in your own way and God knows how important that is during this terrible climate crisis that we are in right now after these school vacation programs.
Is sailing safe as kids’ holiday activities?
Yes, sailing is a safe activity for kids under a professional sailor and coach’s supervision. Let us look at a few things that we need to keep in mind before we take up sailing in creative arts camps.
- The first and most important thing that you must do before even thinking of taking up sailing in holiday camp is getting your swimming skills on point. It is highly probable that you would not even be permitted to go onboard without knowing how to swim, so make sure to get that sorted at first.
- Pack clothes which are light and comfortable for sailing adventures. Do not wear heavy or fancy clothes on board as it can get hard to swim or be rescued in case you fall overboard.
- Pack a travel kit with essential supplies like sunscreen, water bottle, medicines, facewash, mosquito repellent, dry snacks and small towel.
- Make sure to keep your mobile phone, watches and other electronic gadgets in a waterproof ziplock bag.
- Given a copy of your updated itinerary with a protective protocol to a loved one or someone you trust.
- Make sure that you choose the right sailing course tailored for your age group.
- Last but not least, do your research well and choose a reputed and trustworthy holiday camp. Do not fall for scams or unreasonably cheap or expensive packages. Remember that your safety, well-being and life will be depending on the holiday camp, so choose wisely.
Wondering Where You Can Find a Trustworthy Holiday Camp?
If you are looking for a trustworthy and reputed agency for joining a holiday camp, then Hi-Tech Sailing is the one to go for. Hi-Tech Sailing’s founder Mr. Steve Kennedy has more than 30 years of experience as a sailor, with over 20 years of experience as an educator. He has championed many mirror fleet competitions, club and state-level championships, and national-level competitions. He also secured 4th position in the 1999 World Championship in his boat, ‘ Hi-Tech.’ Not only do they offer training for professional sailing, but they also have amazing fun courses and school holiday camp Singapore, on offer for kids, teens, adults as well as families.
Holiday camp course offered by hi-tech sailing for kids and cost:
- SCHOOL HOLIDAY COURSES
(For students aged 12 and above)
Get the kids off the screens and outdoors, having fun and learning!
Morning Timing: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. Afternoon Timing: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Course conducted over 4 consecutive days and includes course materials and theory and log book (Following the Learn to Sail Keelboat Level 1 course).
- Experienced and qualified coaches.
- $550 per student (4 day course).
- Minimum of 3 per group to run the course – Maximum group size of 4 (coach on board with students at all times).
- Emphasis on having fun, safety, cooperation, and communication, building confidence and resilience (and learning how to sail, of course).
NEXT COURSE DATES:
- 20th – 23rd November
- 27th – 30th November
- 4th – 7th November
Please inquire for additional information or questions.
Sign Up Form
Email the completed form to steve@hitechsailing.com.sg
Course Details:
Day 1:
- Swim test – water orientation wearing PFDs – safety considerations before and during sailing (weather)
- Parts of the boat and rigging up (how to) – figure 8 knot
- Points of sailing – Focus on ‘Reaching’
- Leaving and returning to the dock (how to assist as a crew)
- Basic steering and sail trim – Sailing on a reaching course
- Tacking
Day 2:
- Students discuss the weather forecast (wind, tide) and consider how it affects the session/safety
- Revise parts of the boat, points of sail, sail trim, and figure 8 knot (theory)
- Rig up the boat – (assisted) – ‘Round turn & 2 half hitches knot.’
- Leaving and returning to the dock (helping as crew)
- Practice sailing on reaching course (around marks)
- Tacking with good technique and crew work (timing weight movement)
Day 3:
- Students discuss the weather forecast and consider how it affects the session/safety
- Rig up the boat – (assisted) – ‘Bowline Knot’
- Leaving and returning to the dock (students do this with coach guidance)
- Sailing on a Close-Hauled and Broad Reaching course
- Gybing (when to tack vs gybe)
- Planning a course/planning for coming back to the dock
Day 4:
- Students discuss the weather forecast and consider how it affects the session/safety
- Rig up the boat – (minimal assistance) – The ‘Reef Knot’
- Students leave and berth at the dock mostly unassisted
- Sailing on a Running course – Windward / Leeward course
- Right of way rules – between sailing boats and power/sail
- For confident students, an introduction to using the spinnaker
Day 5:
- Students discuss the weather forecast and consider how it affects the session/safety
- Students rig up the boat unassisted
- Leaving and returning to the dock unassisted (coach on standby)
- Sailing on all points of sail (with Spinnaker if skills allow)
- Planning a short trip – including weather and tide considerations
- Person overboard drill
- Races (if 2 boats)
Conclusion:
Sailing or yachting can be the ultimate sport for you and a great tool to strengthen your bonds with loved ones once you have mastered the skill. Hi-Tech Sailing courses and holiday camps are tailored according to the various age groups. This is why Hi-Tech Sailing strictly follows sailing safety measures, so that you never have to worry about your or your loved one’s safety. As a young sailor in the holiday camp, you will always work under the supervision of professional sailors and coaches.
So, what are you waiting for? Contact Hi-Tech Sailing and start your journey as a sailor in the choice of your specialty camp options offered by Hi-Tech Sailing today.
Address: Hi-Tech Sailing, 9 Lorong 28 Geylang, Singapore.
Contact Number: +65-91773596Email Id.: steve@hitechsailing.com.sg
Must Check:https://hitechsailing.com.sg/sailing-singapore-your-gateway-to-nautical-adventures/
Must Check:https://hitechsailing.com.sg/how-to-learn-to-sail-in-singapore-yacht-edition/
