We hope you and your child are excited for summer camps to begin! Whether it’s their first time on a sailboat doing Junior Explorers or they’ve been on the water for years, our summer camps offer each camper a chance to learn new skills, make new friends, and appreciate all that Lake Washington has to offer.
When you come to SSP on Monday morning, you can expect a short wait at the check-in desk. We won’t start checking anyone in until 9AM exactly, but you’re welcome to come early to get acquainted with the site and enjoy the lake. We’ll confirm a few details with you and your child at the check-in desk and then they’ll head over to join their group. It’s best to have them dressed in clothes for the water to start, with layers on over those clothes. They’ll have a chance to change before the water comfort check or afterwards if they would like.
We’re requesting that our campers do not have phones out during camp at all. We understand that emergencies come up and and invite any campers with phones to keep them tucked away in their bags, but we will not be permitting campers to have them on boats or during land-based activities unless requested in advance. Smart watches are fine, as long as they do not become distracting and should only be intended for location and emergency purposes, not for entertainment or casual communication. If there is a specific need for a phone to be with a camper, please let us know either in advance or at check-in.
All camps begin with a water comfort check. This is not a swim test but rather a way for instructors to check and see how comfortable each camper is in the water for if/when their vessel capsizes. Several camps will also begin with a capsize drill so campers are prepared if/when that happens throughout the week. Campers are in PFDs the entire time and do not need to know how to swim far, but should remain calm and not panic when in the water.
Pick up is at 4PM each afternoon, and the location is dependent on the camp. Generally pick up will be near whichever boats the camp was using, but we’ll have a map onsite with the locations of each camp listed by the specific camp name. If you need to pick up a camper early, let us know in advance so we can get them off and water and allow them to change.
We likely won’t communicate much with you throughout the day, so assume no news is good news! We make calls home if a camper requests it, there was an injury or illness, or if we have concerns about behavior. If something popped up during the day that we want to share with you, an instructor will wait with the camper and talk with you after camp.
After Monday’s check in, there’s no need to wait in line each morning. Just drop your camper off with their instructors in front of the office the rest of the week!
Each camp offers a different curriculum and each week will offer a different experience based on weather and wind, so we’re unable to make recommendations on how to dress each day. Some days have more on-land portions, and other days involve a trip across the lake or other excursion. Sometimes it’s pretty hot out and other times it’s raining, so we recommend checking the conditions before camp and bringing an extra change of clothes or a blanket if needed. We frequently check-in with campers about hydration and sunscreen reapplication during long days on the water but you know your child best, so we’d love your help with reminders each day as applicable.
Please send children to camp with sunscreen already applied. We also request that you send them with their own bottle of sunscreen, labelled ideally, and ensure that they know how to use it. Having them practice using it thoroughly at home would help us tremendously! Our staff members encourage regular sunscreen breaks and offer reminders, but are not permitted to apply sunscreen to any camper directly, even spray.
All campers should expect to get wet each day! Quick-dry clothing is recommended, as well as layers that can be added or removed. There is often a small amount of time after lunch or at the end of the day where campers are permitted to swim near the dock (life jackets required) but we will build in time for them to get changed before they head home. Any old sneakers, water shoes, or casual shoes with a back like Crocs or Keens are great as far as footwear. We just strongly request no flip flops or loose sandals.
Long days on the lake can get hot and tiring, so each camper bringing a full water bottle is key. They can refill it onsite during lunch, and instructors will bring a water cooler on excursions. We don’t recommend campers bring a valuable water bottle, either! Depending on the boat your camper is using, instructors may need to keep water bottles on the power boat. This is not meant to restrict water and instructors will always give campers access to their bottles when requested, but the risk of a lost water bottle on many boats is quite high. Remind your camper that it is okay 100% of the time to ask the instructors for their sunscreen, water bottle, or a ride back to use the bathroom, even when they are in the middle of the lake.
