Parent FAQ
What about Corona?
What about Corona, or other transmittable illnesses?
Camps at Shoreline Lake follow guidance and requirements set by the CDC, as well as State and local agencies.
What class?
What class should I enroll my child in?
Find brief descriptions of each of our camp programs below, with links to each of their respective pages for more details.
Trying to find the appropriate placement for your child in a Windsurfing and/or Sailing camp? View the standard skills progression here. This chart shows several possible routes for progressing through the various levels of camps.
Camp Shoreline
Ages 5-11
10am-3pm
Featuring an updated, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics) based curriculum, combined with a range of watersports and other outdoor activities that build scientific, as well as creative, aptitude and skills, provides a weekly curriculum diverse enough to engage the mind of even the most energetic child!
Paddle Adventure
Ages 8-13
10:30am-2pm
This camp encompasses a wide range of sports including kayaking, canoeing, and standup paddleboarding. Campers will learn the skills they need to explore our lake and beyond, to safely carry them through wherever they go, and will practice these skills with on-the-water games.
Beginner Windsurfing & Sailing
Ages 9-15
9am-2pm
This camp introduces the fundamentals of these two challenging, and cerebrally-stimulating watersports. As activities that can be performed over a lifetime, both produce a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment in kids. A combination of land-based simulators and on-the-water exercises progressively develop each essential skill.
Intermediate Windsurfing & Sailing
Ages 9-15
11:30am-4:30pm
Campers can expect to step up their performance and continue honing their windsurfing and sailing skills through intensive on-the-water instruction. This camp builds on the fundamentals introduced in Beginner Windsurfing and Sailing. Campers will learn faster tacks, pivot jibes, more freestyle moves, advanced safety skills, and in-depth upwind sailing.
Advanced Windsurfing
Ages 11-16
2:30pm-5pm
Campers (ages 11-16) can take their windsurfing to the next level and learn advanced techniques using high performance monofilm sails. They will learn how to rig and tune their sail for improved performance, how to beach start, and use a harness and footstraps. Mastering the use of this equipment will allow campers to begin planing, transforming their windsurfing boards into a skimming projectile gliding over the water. Instructor recommendation required to enroll.
Bug Sailing
Ages 7-9
8:30am-11:30am
The perfect place to start for kids enthusiastic about sailing. The enclosed nature, responsive controls, and compact design of sailboats allows kids to feel empowered and safe while learning a lifelong skill. The fundamental skills learned in this camp will prepare kids for a lifetime of fun opportunities.
Beginner Sailing
Ages 9-15
AM: 9:30am-11:30am
PM: 12:00pm-2:00pm
Kids and teens in this camp will progressively develop essential skills with a combination of daily lectures and on-the-water exercises. This camp is offered as an alternative to the Beginner Windsurfing and Sailing camp, for campers who want to focus on sailing exclusively or who may prefer a shorter day.
Intermediate Sailing
Ages 9-15
2:15pm-4:30pm
Campers can expect to step up their performance and continue honing their sailing skills through intensive on-the-water instruction. This camp builds on the fundamentals introduced in Beginner Sailing and is offered as an alternative to the Intermediate Windsurfing and Sailing camp, for campers who want to focus on sailing exclusively or who may prefer a shorter day. Campers will learn advanced safety skills, and in-depth upwind sailing.
Advanced Sailing
Ages 11-16
10:30am-1:30pm
Is your kid enthusiastic about sailing and looking to get back on the water for more? Advanced Sailing introduces campers to the Laser, an Olympic-class planing hull with simple controls for advanced technique. Prior sailing experience (qualification to rent a sailboat in winds up to 10 kts or equivalent) is required for this camp.
Performance Sailing
Ages 11-16
2:15pm-4:45pm
For the serious sailor interested in polishing their skills and learning to compete, this camp offers two versions so campers can focus on developing their skills in either the Laser or Capri. Performance Sailing focuses on racing technique and performance boat handling, tailored to the type of boat being used. Campers must hold a valid rental card for the type of boat (Laser or Capri) used in the session they're enrolling in.
What to bring?
What should my child bring to camp?
SHOES!!! All campers MUST bring shoes that can get completely wet!
Shoes are mandatory at all times and campers should have shoes that they are comfortable using on the water: Teva sandals, aqua socks, and sailing booties work great!
Rubber galoshes, bulky tennis shoes, or any sort of shoes that chafe the camper are a bad idea. Flip-flops are a major no-no – the shoes need to fit securely on the camper’s feet.
- Bathing suit
- Change of clothes
- Towel
- SUN PROTECTION!!! Hat, sunglasses, sunblock
- Strap to secure glasses around head
- Jacket or fleece
- Bottle of water
COMFORTABLE CLOTHES! Kids will be engaged in sports, so clothes should be comfortable and allow for freedom of movement.
As such, we recommend synthetics, as they are warm (and remain light) even when wet, and dry quickly. On the contrary, cotton gets cold and heavy when wet, and takes longer to dry.
Boardshorts/surf-style shorts, surfing “rash guards,” t-shirts, nylon shorts/pants, polar fleeces, and nylon windbreakers all work great! And, “rash guards” and long-sleeved t-shirts will keep the sun off of shoulders.
What about outfitting?
What else would you recommend for outfitting?
- Gloves for sailing
- Sailing booties
- Rash guards
- Wetsuit, for the Windsurfing-related camps, if the camper has one (otherwise, we can provide upon request).
- Lifejacket if the camper has one (otherwise, we provide).
- Polarized sunglasses
- Money should campers want to lock their items in the token-operated lockers – $2.00 per use
- Please make sure to mark all equipment, using indelible marker, with the camper’s name and phone number!
Where can I get all this stuff?
Where can I get all this stuff?
For convenience sake, the Shoreline Retail Shop caries a good assortment of items, and can easily outfit any camper! We carry aqua socks, eyewear retainers, sunscreen, hats, towels, and more. You camper can visit the retail shop during camp to buy these essential items.
Camper Cash Cards
Purchase a Camper Cash Card at the Boathouse, so you don't have to send your camper with money. Any leftover balance after camp is over can still be used towards any purchases at the Boathouse or Bistro!
In addition, boardshorts, rash guards, and other clothing items can be found at a variety of stores, including Walmart.
However, if you prefer going to specialty watersports stores, the following are just a few in the area (and remember to mention we sent you): Helm of Sun Valley (333 N. Amphlett Blvd. in San Mateo, 650.344.2711) and Boardsports at Coyote Point Park (1603 Coyote Point Dr. in San Mateo, 415.385.1224) sells windsurfers and other windsurfing related gear.
What about lunch?
What about lunch?
Excellent question – we want to avoid campers getting cranky and hungry, so a catered lunch is included with full-day camps. Half-day camps (listed below) generally do not include lunch, unless the camper will be staying in Extended Care. Please ensure any food allergies or dietary restrictions are communicated in advance so that appropriate meals are prepared and identified properly. Campers can also bring a lunch.
The following camps do not include lunch: Bug Sailing, Beginner Sailing (both AM and PM sessions), Intermediate Sailing, Performance Sailing, Advanced Windsurfing. As these camps run for only a few hours in the morning or afternoon (either before or after lunch), lunch will not be provided unless a camper is staying in Extended Care.
What about tardiness?
Rules regarding drop-off and pick-up of campers, coming late, and missing a day?
Please inform the instructor if you know you are going to be late/early picking-up/dropping-off a camper or miss a day.
We can provide pre and post camp supervision for campers (see below) at an additional cost.
If you are more than 20 minutes late picking up a camper, or dropping them off more than 20 minutes early, you will be charged $95 for that day (for each time or extra supervision). If you think you will struggle to meet our timeline, please purchase the additional supervision plan.
If you have to pick a camper up early or bring them very late, please aim for your camp’s lunchtime. Otherwise, the entire camp may be on the water when you arrive.
Pre/Post Camp Supervision?
What about Pre/Post Camp Supervision?
$375/week or $95/day allows your camper to stay with us from 8:00am-5:30pm.
There is no discount if you use only the morning or afternoon portion of the program.
This is supervised time ONLY – NOT structured camp time! May include supervised water activity such as kayaking or pedalboating.
Want to get involved?
I want to get involved with these sports, what can I do?
Take a lesson! We offer adult classes in windsurfing, sailing, and kayaking, and also offer classes for stand up paddleboarding and SUP Yoga.
Check out the US Sailing website – US Sailing is the National Governing Body for the Sport of Sailing: www.ussailing.org.
Where do we go from here?
Where do we go from here?
Sailing and windsurfing are both Olympic sports. College sailing is extremely popular. There is a professional windsurfing tour. And enthused juniors across the country enjoy local competition in both sports!
There’s something for everyone and the sky is the limit. Please feel free to ask your camper’s instructors for guidance or some tips. And, you can also check out some of the websites in the next FAQ.
Level II graduates can enroll in the advanced sailing camps (Level III and the Olympic Class Laser Camps), as well as join the weekend courses for sailing or windsurfing and compete at local and national events.
Consider a family membership to US Sailing (see website below).
Check out some of the sailing publications available in print. Latitude 38 (our local sailing magazine) and Sailing World are both good starting points.
Other relevant info?