Brigs is excited to announce the launch of our new youth sailing camp in Hamilton!

Registration open - Book Now!

This camp runs Monday-Friday, 8:30am - 3:30pm every day except Thursdays, which is an overnight on board.

The camp is designed for youth ages 12 - 15 who are interested in learning how to sail, developing teamwork skills and hitting the water on our flagship vessel, the STV Pathfinder, which was recently brought back to our fleet at Brigs.

No sailing experience required.

Camps are organized by weeks of the summer. Our current dates are below - more weeks may open up if there is enough demand.

Week 2: July 6 - 10 - Handy-Skills Camp - Sail training and practical skills focused

Week 3: July 13 - 17 - Sailing and fun focused

Week 4: July 20 - 24 - Ecology Camp - Sailing and ecology focused

Week 7: August 10 - 14 - Sailing and fun focused

Week 8: August 17 - 21 - Sailing and fun focused

The camp fee is $525 + tax per camper, per week. Lunch is not provided. Please let us know during registration if you require financial assistance! We have a needs-based bursary program available for Hamilton youth.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

Campers will spend several days on the water with hands-on learning and activities while sailing aboard a traditional tall ship with our experienced Brigs crew and Captain.

From knot tying to team building games such as the tall ship olympics, campers will experience something new everyday, both on the water, and off. Campers will also participate in some fun day trips and activities on shore, adding to the camp experience.

Each week also includes an overnight experience, spanning the Thursday to the Friday before the end of the camp week. Campers will experience a fun extended time at sea while they sing shanties and listen to stories throughout the night. This also gives young campers an opportunity to experience an overnight camp for one night during the week.

Daily Schedule - all camps

Monday - Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM - Overnight
Friday: Overnight - 3:30 PM

Meals
Campers should bring their own peanut free snacks and lunch as well as a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the hot summer days. 

Tour of the Facilities
Parents and friends are welcome to come for a tour of the ship, guided by the campers, before the end of camp on Friday afternoons.

Handy-skills Camp - how does a ship work?

Trainees should be prepared to get their hands dirty while learning practical skills!

This first week is perfect for anyone excited about learning traditional seamanship and hands-on work. Under the guidance of our experienced and knowledgeable crew, youth will go from trainees to bosuns in a week.

The week's activities include: 

• • Learning ropework and traditional seamanship
  • Working with our engine
  • Opportunity to go aloft in the rigging/masts (optional)
  • Woodworking projects in our workshop
  • Learning to sail STV Pathfinder

The week will round off with an overnight anchorage in the bay on Thursday night.

Sailing-focused Camp - what's a sailor's life like?

Trainees and crew will work together to run the ship and to get her sailing. Campers will get the full experience of a sailor's life on the water right here in Hamilton harbour. 

The week's activities include: 

• Learning how to sail STV Pathfinder
• Tall Ship Olympics 
• Participating in ship life
• Exploring the outdoors

Of course, the week will include sailing, along with an overnight anchorage in the bay at the end of the week!