A cornerstone of Community Sailing New Orleans is to empower and educate young people through sailing.

We serve youth ages 8-18 through the STEM Design + Build + Sail and Crew to Captain Maritime Career Development programs; summer camps; and field trips/experiential sailing experiences. Our programs nurture leadership potential, new skill building, and positive community connections.

STEM Design+Build+Sail

Crew to Captain Maritime Career Development Program

Summer Camp

Field Trips & Experiential Sails

STEM Design+Build+Sail

Navigating Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math through Sailing

Our STEM Design+Build+Sail program offers a unique opportunity for participants to explore the fascinating world of STEM while experiencing the thrill of sailing. The program’s curriculum is aligned with national standards in math and science, so it reinforces what students are learning in school.

  • Who: Middle school students (grades 6-8) from the metro New Orleans area

  • Requirements: No sailing experience required. We provide personal flotation devices for each participant.

  • Cost: This program is free of charge, thanks to the generous support of local and national funders.

  • When: This is a ten-session course with weekly classes. Classes meet on Tuesdays from 4:30-7:00pm during the months of March-May (Spring session) and September-November (Fall session).

  • Where: Community Sailing New Orleans, 101 N. Roadway, New Orleans, LA 70124

  • What to Expect: Over the course of ten (10) immersive learning experiences, students dive into the fun and fascinating world of sailing while exploring fundamental science, technology, engineering, and math concepts. From understanding the anatomy of a sailboat to designing and testing their own miniature vessels, students will experience hands-on learning both on the water and on shore.

Throughout the program, participants will:

  • Receive safety briefings to ensure preparedness for their sailing adventure
  • Explore sailboat design principles and concepts such as mass, displacement, and buoyancy through interactive activities
  • Enhance their sailing skills and navigation techniques
  • Explore the principles of lift and aerodynamics through upwind sailing sessions and hands-on experiments demonstrating scientific concepts.
  • Study environmental factors such as convectional currents, wind patterns, and the impact of watersheds on marine ecosystems using Lake Pontchartrain as their classroom
  • Plan and design boat models for design challenges, culminating in the highly anticipated Community Sailing Regatta, where teams compete for victory.

JORDYN
Crew to Captain Class of 2025 and STEM Design Build Sail Alumna

“I came to discover a new activity and kept coming back because of the welcoming feeling and acceptance from the sailing community.”

Jordyn didn’t know anyone who sailed while she was growing up. In her eyes, sailing wasn’t even considered an option for her. She participated in our STEM Design + Build + Sail program when she was in middle school and is now in our maritime career development program, Crew to Captain. Jordyn has become a skilled and knowledgeable sailor who takes great pride in how much she’s grown as a sailor and a person since arriving at her first class years ago. As an aspiring lawyer she hopes to attend Tulane University and has been able to make connections with individuals in the legal and competitive sailing fields.

Crew To Captain

Maritime Career Development Program

An estimated 1 in 5 jobs in Louisiana is connected to the maritime industry, and wages in this industry pay substantially higher than the Louisiana average. Louisiana leads the nation in the number of captains, mates, pilots of water vessels, sailors, marine oilers, and ship engineers. Crew to Captain Maritime Career Development Program helps high school students identify and prepare for potential pathways to careers in the local maritime industry.

Leaders from the local maritime industry attend classes as speakers and mentors. By introducing high schoolers to the vast opportunities in the maritime industry, they are better prepared to pursue these career paths, which can lead to greater economic stability and a stronger local workforce.

At the completion of the three-year program, in addition to having learned about different maritime careers, students earn their Sailing Instructor Certification, a Louisiana Safe Boating License, Basic Keelboat Certification, and CPR/First Aid training. We encourage graduating students to return as paid, part-time sailing instructors with Community Sailing.

  • Who: 9th and 10th grade students from the metro New Orleans area

  • Requirements: No sailing experience required. We provide personal flotation devices for each participant.

  • Cost: This program is free of charge, thanks to the generous support of local and national funders.

  • When: This is a 3-year program. Classes meet once a week from 5:00-7:00pm during the months of March-May and September-November.

  • Where: Community Sailing New Orleans, 101 N. Roadway, New Orleans, LA 70124

  • What to Expect: The first year of the program focuses on sail concepts, STEM education, and lake stewardship. Students transition from piloting keelboats to dinghies and take the US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification test. Students earn their safe boater’s license and practice small boat handling in their second year. In the final year, students focus on their teaching skills and earning their US Sailing Level 1 certification, as well as other certifications. Leaders from the local maritime industry attend classes as speakers and mentors throughout the program.

How to Apply

Interested students can apply by filling out this form.

BENJAMIN
Crew to Captain Class of 2023

“I’ve learned so much more than I was expecting.”

Benjamin was introduced to Community Sailing New Orleans through our partnership with Son of a Saint, a local nonprofit organization that transforms the lives of fatherless boys. Benjamin graduated from the inaugural Crew to Captain Class of 2023, earning his US Sailing Level 1 Instructor Certification, as well as CPR, First Aid, and Louisiana Safe Boating certifications. Since graduating from the Crew to Captain program, Benjamin has been working as a paid sailing instructor at Community Sailing. He was accepted into the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point.

Summer Camp

Set sail for an unforgettable summer! Our Summer Sailing Camp gives kids and teens the chance to learn sailing, build confidence, make new friends, and spend their days on the water. Through hands-on activities, teamwork, and outdoor adventure, campers develop new skills while creating memories that will last long after summer ends.

We offer two age-specific camp options:

Big Boat Summer Camp (Ages 8–12)

An introductory sailing experience focused on teamwork, exploration, and fun aboard our larger keelboats.

Small Boat Summer Camp (Ages 13–16)

A more advanced, hands-on sailing experience emphasizing boat handling, skill-building, and independence on the water.

Each weekly session of camp is $425 per camper.

Financial assistance may be available for families in need. Complete this form to apply.

Spots fill quickly—register early to reserve your child’s place for an unforgettable summer on the water!

THANK YOU TO OUR SUMMER CAMP SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS

“This was my son’s first exposure to sailing and he LOVED it! Community Sailing is a very inclusive and friendly way to introduce kids to sailing. We will be back.”

– Community Sailing Summer Camp Parent

Field Trips & Experiential Sails

Transforming Lake Pontchartrain into a Living Classroom

Our Sailing Field Trips transform Lake Pontchartrain into a living classroom, where students experience real-world applications of concepts they study in school through hands-on sailing and place-based learning.

Designed for 4th–12th grade students, our field trips are customized to align with Louisiana state standards and can be tailored to match content currently being covered in the classroom. Programs place a special emphasis on STEM education, coastal restoration and preservation, environmental science, and marine-based topics.

We offer sailing field trip experiences for schools, youth-serving clubs, and nonprofit organizations — no prior sailing experience required.

Sailing Field Trips are ideal for:

  • Elementary, middle, and high school classes (grades 4–12)
  • Science, STEM, environmental science, and marine science courses
  • Schools seeking experiential, standards-aligned field trip opportunities
  • Nonprofit organizations or clubs serving youth and students
  • Programs focused on coastal restoration, environmental stewardship, or outdoor education

Field trips can be customized for individual classes, grade-level groups, or larger school and organization partnerships.

If you’re interested in learning more or scheduling a field trip, please fill out the form below.

Community Sailing Interest Form

If you’re interested in any of our programs, email [email protected] or call 504-233-3292.

If you’re interested in any of our programs, email [email protected] or call 504-233-3292.