Berkshire Trails Camp is hiring for summer ! Join us for a fun-filled, action-packed summer! Spend your summer living and working in the Berkshires at a coed overnight camp where staff play a central role in everything from cabin life and activities to special events and evening programs. Berkshire Trails Camp is located in Great…
What Are Sailing Jobs at Summer Camp?
Sailing Jobs at Summer Camps
Sailing jobs at summer camps are a dream gig for working sailors, racing coaches, and US Sailing instructors who love sharing the wind with eager young sailors. From traditional sleepaway camps with quiet lake-based programs to specialty waterfront residential camps running serious junior sailing on bays and harbors, sailing instructors lead one of the most timeless and rewarding waterfront programs of every summer.
As a sailing instructor at an overnight camp, you’ll teach rigging, points of sail, tacking, jibing, capsize recovery, race tactics, and seamanship while running daily lessons and regattas. You’ll manage fleet operations, dock safety, and progression-based curriculum across age groups. Many co-ed residential camps run full sailing programs that combine instruction, racing, and cruising — giving instructors a packed and varied summer at camp.
What does a sailing instructor at summer camp do?
You’ll teach rigging, points of sail, tacking, jibing, capsize recovery, and racing while running daily lessons and regattas. Most sleepaway camps with sailing programs run daily on-water instruction throughout the summer camp season.
What certifications do sailing instructors need at sleepaway camps?
US Sailing Level 1, 2, or Race Coach certifications are highly valued. Lifeguard and CPR/First Aid are commonly required at residential camps. Many camps support certification renewals during staff training.
What kinds of boats do summer camps typically use?
Sunfish, Lasers, Optis, 420s, JY15s, Flying Scots, and FJs are widely used at residential camps. Larger sleepaway camps may also offer keelboats and cruising sailboats for older campers.
What does the pay look like for sailing jobs at summer camps?
Pay is competitive and commensurate with experience and certifications. Sleepaway camps include room, board, and laundry alongside salary, which adds meaningful value to the overall summer camp package beyond the base figure.
Can international sailors apply for sailing roles at camp?
Yes — many residential camps hire international sailing instructors through J-1 programs like Camp America, CCUSA, and Camp Leaders. Sailors with credentials from international federations are well placed at sleepaway camps each summer.
Browse Summer Camp Sailing Jobs for 2027
Camp page not found.
Sailing Instructor and Camp Counselor
Laurel South
48 Laurel Road
Casco, Maine 04015
United States
| Salary | Job Type | Setting |
|---|---|---|
| USD $3,000 / season | Full-Time Seasonal | Overnight Camp |
Start Date: June 1, 2027
End Date: August 31, 2027
Our sailing program includes over 15 beautiful Sunfish, Hobie Cat’s, and more!
Being a staff member at Laurel South is far more than a summer job… it’s an unforgettable experience in beautiful surroundings… and a rare opportunity to reach your full potential as you help others reach theirs. Laurel South is a down-to-earth place where you will meet and make friends of all ages – from all over the world – and form bonds that will last a lifetime. Most of all, it’s a place where a family feeling is encouraged and both campers and staff are urged to be themselves.
We are seeking college students and teachers to lead and instruct a wide variety of activities. Our staff are caring and fun individuals who have a desire to make a difference in a child’s life.
Laurel South is among the most well-respected camps in the country. We offer quality instruction designed to allow children to participate in activities they love, while also allowing them to explore new and exciting opportunities.
We are looking for a two-month commitment June 7th – August 11th. We offer room and board for the time you are working at camp. Interested applicants, please send a cover letter detailing your interest in working with children and resume. We look forward to hearing from you!
Sailing Counselors
Camp Danbee
PO Box 337
Hinsdale, Massachusetts 01235
United States
| Salary | Job Type | Setting |
|---|---|---|
| USD Starts at $2300/summer | Full-Time Seasonal | Overnight Camp |
Start Date: June 1, 2027
End Date: August 31, 2027
Camp Danbee is currently hiring passionate and skilled instructors to spend their summer instructing our campers in Sailing. You will specialize in this activity, so you must have deep knowledge of the sport. You will arrive early to camp to get additional training on our boats, waterfront procedures, and lifeguarding. We’re looking for passionate, skilled individuals to be great roles models for our campers!
The Role:
You will serve a dual role as a counselor at Camp Danbee. Those roles include being cabin counselor and program instructor. As a cabin counselor, you and one to three other co-counselors will live in a cabin with 10-12 campers, whom you will supervise for the summer. As a program instructor, you will help prepare and lead instructional lessons in your dedicated program area.
Male instructors do not live in cabins with campers, and will have additional duties outside of program instructional time – you’re a valuable part of the camp family!
Working at camp is an opportunity to develop skills that can be used in a career outside of camp. You will enhance your leadership, collaboration, problem-solving, and communication skills. Camp Danbee has a large leadership team to learn from, from multiple college Head Coaches to experienced professionals across the education, outdoor recreation, and sports industries.
We will work with your college/university to earn paid internship credits.
The Perks:
- Salary starts at $2300 for a Freshman in college and increases from there
- Travel allowance in addition to salary
- Room, board, and staff t-shirts
- Internship credit*
- Experience The Berkshires, meet people from all over the US and the world, and have the summer of a lifetime!
*Some educational institutions require prior approval before the start of an internship. It is the responsibility of the student to check with their institution to be sure they meet any requirements before they accept a position
Sailing
Camp Mah-Kee-Nac
6 Hawthorne Rd
Lenox, Massachusetts 01240
United States
Camp Mah-Kee-Nac is hiring for summer ! Much More Than Just Another Summer Job…Camp Mah-Kee-Nac offers an unforgettable summer job experience in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts, just a few hours from both Boston and New York City. Staff live and work in a stunning lakeside setting, surrounded by natural beauty and a close-knit camp…
Sailing
KenMont and KenWood Camp
65 Kenmont Road
Kent, Connecticut 06757
United States
Staff must be completing high school in or older to apply for a position at camp. KenMont for Boys and KenWood for Girls is hiring for summer ! KenMont and KenWood Camp is looking for staff members who have a love for working with children, enjoy being part of a team, and believe that mutual…
Sailing
Camp Wayne
15 Camp Wayne Road
Preston Park, Pennsylvania 18455
United States
Camp Wayne For Boys is hiring for summer ! The Staff Experience We’ve all had teachers, coaches and mentors that have touched our lives. Think back to these individuals and ask yourself why these people played such an important part in your life. We’re confident it is because they took an interest in you and pushed…
Sailing
Camp Horseshoe
4151 Camp Bryn Afon Road
Rhinelander, Wisconsin 54501
United States
Camp Horseshoe is hiring for summer ! Join us for a fun-filled, action-packed summer! Camp Horseshoe, one of Wisconsin’s premier residential camps, is a spirited, sports-oriented boys camp that emphasizes participation, healthy competition, and a well-rounded summer experience. Camp Horseshoe is known for its state-of-the-art facilities, meaningful traditions, and unique philosophy. Whether it be coaching…
Sailing
Camp Laurel
PO Box 327
Readfield, Maine 04355
United States
Camp Laurel is hiring for summer ! Camp Laurel is among the most prestigious, well-respected camps in the country. We offer quality instruction designed to allow children to participate in activities they love, while also allowing them to explore new and exciting opportunities. Why Work at Camp Laurel? At Camp Laurel, we pride ourselves on…
Sailing
Camp Robin Hood
65 Robin Hood Lane
Freedom, New Hampshire 03836
Camp Robin Hood is hiring for summer ! Thank you for your interest in working at Camp Robin Hood this summer. At Camp Robin Hood we truly are a family. Head Counselor Chuck Illig began at Robin Hood in 1965, Associate Director Michelle Brockman in 1990, and Head of Riding/Office Manager Diane Morath in 1993….
