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The Lake Champlain Yacht Club Junior Sailing Program consists of 8 consecutive weeks of training in sailboat handling and racing for children who are entering 3 rd grade and older. As a minimum, children will spend one or more weeks of their summer outdoors in a supervised environment with other children in their age group. They will acquire a basic understanding of sailing and boating, improve their swimming skills, become water safe and, as their skill level allows, compete in local racing events. At best, they will develop a love for sailing that will last a lifetime. The friendships, camaraderie, travel and FUN that are the core of the junior sailing experience will mean more than any trophy that might be won along the way. The Goals of the LCYC Junior Sailing Program Adopted 05/02/05 and amended The overriding goal of the sailing program is to first teach the participants to sail and then to develop advanced knowledge of sailing skills, including knowledge of racing rules and techniques. All sailors are expected to skipper and crew. The goals of the program for beginners are: To invite the children to sail by making it enjoyable To teach them to sail: basic boat handling, seamanship and sail trim The goals of the program for the intermediate and advanced sailors are: To challenge them and keep them interested in sailing To teach them to race To instill in them enthusiasm for the sport and a commitment to it To instill in them a passion for sailing and/or racing To teach them the rules and sportsmanship T teach them more advanced boat handling and sail trim techniques To help them attain as high a level of achievement in sailing as desired Goals for all levels of the sailing program include: To teach them to be willing to try and not to be afraid of failure To teach responsibility both for people and equipment To teach teamwork To teach pride in the Lake Champlain Yacht Club To teach physical fitness and care for themselves To teach basic seamanship and familiarity with boats, weather and dealing with differing situations on the water WHO IS IN CHARGE? Dorothy Hill is the chairperson of the Sailing Committee, which is comprised of volunteers from the general membership. Dorothy oversees 4 instructors and assistants. Any questions or communication should be directed to her while at the yacht club, by calling her at 425-4140 (home) or 985-3336 (work). If you would like to help out with driving kids and hauling boats to regattas, please let Dorothy or the other instructors know. Parents must understand that the instructors are responsible for all of the junior sailors between the hours of 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM and from 1:00 to 4:00 PM except for the all day sessions when everyone will break for lunch (everyone is responsible for bringing their own lunch and snacks). They cannot take time during program hours to discuss your children s progress. Please consult with them only before or after regular program hours. The head instructors may be available for meetings with you during program hours if you arrange a meeting with them. Adopted: March 7, 2006 Page 2 3/13/2007 05
The Sailing Committee will consist of: Dave Powlison Bob Schumacher Dorothy Hill John Harris Boats and trailers Boats and trailers Instructor Hiring & Curriculum Coordinator Parent Volunteer Coordinator Junior Racing Coordinator LCYC Commodore WHO ARE THE INSTRUCTORS THIS YEAR? Brad Harris James Unsworth John Hill Tyler Colvin Head Instructor Head Instructor Meredith Powlison WHEN IS THE PROGRAM The program begins Monday, June 25, 2007 and ends Friday, August 17, 2007. Classes are arranged by ability level and have varying durations. While some classes have prior experience as a determinant to eligibility, it is highly unlikely that after 2 weeks that a child would be able to advance to the next level. Participants are expected to arrive in time to rig the boats and then be ready for the day s lesson to begin promptly. Attendance is expected every scheduled day. Please pick your child up promptly at the end of the program. A busy and wide-ranging schedule of activities has been planned for all classes. Accordingly, a sailing calendar has been prepared, outlining dated for events here at LCYC as well as at other neighboring clubs. In addition, the calendar lists major regattas not sponsored by our program that our junior sailors may wish to attend. Children are invited to participate in program-sponsored regattas appropriate to their age/skill level. The necessary application and permission slips are available from the head instructor. We will help transport boats to those events directly involving the LCYC Junior Sailing Program. It is the parent s responsibility to transport their children and make carpool arrangements with other parents. The parent volunteer coordinator will be happy to help you arrange transportation. The sailing instructors are not responsible for transporting children! The Lake Champlain Yacht Club Junior Sailing Committee, in concurrence with the recommendations of US Sailing, has established a minimum age for participation in the sailing program. To be eligible for participation, your child must turn eight before the end of their current sailing session. WHAT BOATS ARE SAILED IN THE PROGRAM: Optimists (Single-handed) Flying Juniors (FJs) (Double-handed) Adopted: March 7, 2006 Page 3 3/13/2007 05
CAN MY CHILDREN PARTICIPATE IN REGATTAS IF THEY DON T HAVE A BOAT? LCYC has 6 Optimists and 7 FJs that are made available to all program participants. However, it is advisable that your child have access to his or her own Opti for regattas since most of the LCYC Optis are scheduled for instructional use. LCYC members may receive a membership discount if they purchase an Opti through Bob Schumacher. There are also used and affordable Optis available throughout the Northeast. DO MY CHILDREN HAVE TO BE ABLE TO SWIM TO PARTICIPATE? YES! On the first day of the program your child will be given a swimming test that they must pass in order to participate in the program. Your child must be able to tread water and swim for a specified distance--- any stroke is okay. Regardless of how proficient a swimmer he or she is, it is a requirement that ALL CHILDREN MUST WEAR LIFE JACKETS ZIPPED UP AT ALL TIMES WHEN ON THEIR BOATS OR OUT OF THE WATER. Each jacket is to have a whistle permanently attached. This rule will be strictly enforced with no exceptions. WHAT DO MY CHILDREN NEED TO BRING TO THE PROGRAM? Your child will need a U.S.C.G. approved life jacket, shoes (to be worn at all times), dry clothes, a towel, foul weather gear, a sweatshirt, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a water bottle. Lunch should be brought if enrolled in an all-day program. Remember, the weather in Vermont can be unpredictable. It can be very sunny and hot or it can be very wet and cold. Please take every precaution to properly guard your child against the sun or wet, chilly days. Also, it is very important that they do not get dehydrated. In order to enjoy being in the program, your child needs to come to LCYC fully prepared for the weather conditions. WHAT ARE POINT RACES? Point races are sailed within the program as part of the Beginner and Intermediate race training. Usually, point races are held once a week, dependent on the weather. The scheduling is very loose due to weather and other program activities. Informal awards may be given. WHAT IS AN INTERCLUB? There will be 3-4 interclubs with the Malletts Bay Boat Club and LCYC. These are informal mini-regattas that are a good introduction to racing for children. It is a chance to improve sailing skills while meeting and making new friends. It also introduces the children and their parents to the concept of traveling to another location to sail. The sailors travel to interclubs with parents assisting in transportation. Adopted: March 7, 2006 Page 4 3/13/2007 05
WHAT IS A REGATTA? A regatta is a group of races that usually draw a greater number of participants. Most regattas are scheduled on the junior sailing calendar; you will learn about others from your child s instructors. Your child should demonstrate some racing proficiency before participating in a regatta. The Junior Sailing Award ceremony is scheduled in October and is a featured part of the LCYC Awards Dinner held in October in the evening with the LCYC membership. WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP MY CHILDREN BECOME BETTER SAILORS AND RACERS? That s simple: be involved and supportive. The Sailing Committee will welcome your participation, and don t worry there are lots of jobs for non-sailing parents! Contact either one of the instructors or Dorothy Hill to help. Drivers and chaperones are often needed. Otherwise, please make an effort to be there to watch your child sail at the club races or in Interclubs and regattas; be there at the trophy presentation and offer your encouragement. Sailing has a vernacular all of its own, ask your young sailors to explain what they have learned each day; what does transom mean? What is port tack? How is a racecourse set up? The bottom line is that kids who are interested in sailing generally have interested parents. WHAT ABOUT RAINY DAYS? WHAT HAPPENS ON DAYS WITHOUT WIND OR WHEN IT IS TOO WINDY? Inclement weather doesn t put a damper on the Junior Sailing Program. However, we may end class early on some days. Check with the head instructors at drop-off time. Please make arrangements to pick up your child early in the case when classes will be dismissed early. Your child will learn to tie knots, recognize code flags and participate in other activities on these days. If it appears the entire day is a wash out, it is okay to give your child the day off and keep them at home. WHAT ARE FUN DAYS? Fun days can happen any day of the week. Most times we will be sailing, but will plan fun on the water. ARE THERE ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES? Yes. There is the Junior Sailing Boat Tour and Tag Sale in July in the evening. It is a relaxing evening of hors d-oeuvres and an opportunity to tour some of many yachts of interest at LCYC which will be tied up at the main dock. There is no admittance fee, but we encourage donations to sponsor the LCYC Junior Sailing Program. Check the calendar for date and time. WHAT FORMAL TROPHIES ARE AWARDED? The Endurance Trophy: Awarded annually by the sailing instructors to a sailor for indomitable spirit, enthusiasm and determination. Adopted: March 7, 2006 Page 5 3/13/2007 05
The Bruce Hill Sportsmanship Trophy: Awarded annually by the sailing instructors to a sailor who maintains good sportsmanship and a positive attitude at all times. The Sailor Award: Given to the sailor in the junior program who shows the most improvement in seamanship, sailing, boat handling and safety. JUNIOR SAILING RULES AND REGULATIONS The Sailing Committee will continue to formally adopt policies that will apply to all participants and instructors in the Junior Sailing Program. Junior Sailing participants are expected to abide by these rules at all times: 1. Participants are expected to arrive in time to rig the boats and then be ready for the day s lesson to begin promptly. Attendance is expected every scheduled day. Please pick your child up promptly at the end of the program. 2. Dorothy Hill is the chairperson of the Sailing Committee, which is comprised of volunteers from the general membership. Dorothy oversees 4 instructors and additional assistants. Any questions or communication should be directed to her while at the yacht club, by calling her at 425-4140 (home) or 985-3336 (work). 3. Parents must understand that the instructors are responsible for all of the junior sailors between the hours of 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM and from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. (9AM-4PM for all-day classes). 4. Inclement weather doesn t put a damper on the Junior Sailing Program. However, we may end class early on some days. Check with the head instructor at drop-off time. Please make arrangements to pick up your child early in the case when classes will be dismissed early. Your child will learn to tie knots, recognize code flags and participate in other activities on these days. If it appears the entire day is a wash out, it is okay to give your child the day off and keep them at home. 5. Each sailor and instructor MUST wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket that fits properly and is zipped or fastened as designed both on the dock and on the water. NO EXCEPTIONS! 6. All junior sailors and their instructor are to stay together with their assigned instructional group throughout the session. 7. Any horseplay, including throwing participants or instructors off of the docks and bulkheads is prohibited. Intentional misuse or damage of club sailboats and/or equipment will be noted and billed. 8. Participants must never use any of the sailing equipment without the proper supervision of the instructors. LCYC members may use the equipment outside of class periods with the approval of the head instructor. (Parental supervision may be required depending on the age or skill level of the sailor.) 9. All participants will be treated with respect and will treat each other respectfully. All junior sailors have the right to enjoy the program. Verbal or physical abuse will not be tolerated. Swearing is not permitted. 10. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. If there is a discipline problem, the instructors may send your child home for the rest of the day. Serious discipline problems will be reported to the Sailing Chairperson and parents will be notified. 11. Boats will be returned to their assigned spots, tied properly daily and the equipment will be neatly and properly stored in the Butler Building. 12. Junior Sailors must never leave the LCYC premises while the program is in session unless their parent has made arrangements with the instructor. 13. All parents or guardians must sign a Disclaimer and an acknowledgement form entitled Authorization to consent to treatment of a minor prior to the onset of the program. 14. All sailors will be required to skipper and crew. 15. While instructors will try to accommodate friends sailing together, they do reserve the right to assign crew based on the needs of the program. Adopted: March 7, 2006 Page 6 3/13/2007 05
The LCYC calendar will follow with all the dates for all the prearranged activities for the classes! JUNIOR SAILING RULES AND REGULATIONS The Sailing Committee will continue to formally adopt policies that will apply to all participants and instructors in the Junior Sailing Program. Junior Sailing participants are expected to abide by these rules at all times: 1. Participants are expected to arrive in time to rig the boats and then be ready for the day s lesson to begin promptly. Attendance is expected every scheduled day. Please pick your child up promptly at the end of the program. 2. Dorothy Hill is the chairperson of the Sailing Committee, which is comprised of volunteers from the general membership. Dorothy oversees 4 instructors and additional assistants. Any questions or communication should be directed to her while at the yacht club, by calling her at 425-4140 (home) or 985-3336 (work). 3. Parents must understand that the instructors are responsible for all of the junior sailors between the hours of 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM and from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, except Full day classes 9AM-4PM. 4. Inclement weather doesn t put a damper on the Junior Sailing Program. However, we may end class early on some days. Check with the head instructor at drop-off time. Please make arrangements to pick up your child early in the case when classes will be dismissed early. Your child will learn to tie knots, recognize code flags and participate in other activities on these days. If it appears the entire day is a wash out, it is okay to give your child the day off and keep them at home. 5. Each sailor and instructor MUST wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket that fits properly and is zipped or fastened as designed both on the dock and on the water. NO EXCEPTIONS! 6. All junior sailors and their instructor are to stay together with their assigned instructional group throughout the session. 7. Any horseplay, including throwing participants or instructors off of the docks and bulkheads is prohibited. Intentional misuse or damage to Club sailboats or equipment is not permitted and will be noted and billed. 8. Participants must never use any of the sailing equipment without the proper supervision of the instructors. LCYC members may use the equipment outside of class periods with the approval of the head instructor. (Parental supervision may be required depending on the age or skill level of the sailor.) 9. All participants will be treated with respect and will treat each other respectfully. All junior sailors have the right to enjoy the program. Verbal or physical abuse will not be tolerated. Swearing is not permitted. 10. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. If there is a discipline problem, the instructors may send your child home for the rest of the day. Serious discipline problems will be reported to the Sailing Chairperson and parents will be notified. 11. Boats will be returned to their assigned spots, tied properly daily and the equipment will be neatly and properly stored in the Butler Building. 12. Junior Sailors must never leave the LCYC premises while the program is in session unless their parent has made arrangements with the instructor. 13. All parents or guardians must sign a Disclaimer and an acknowledgement form entitled Authorization to consent to treatment of a minor prior to the onset of the program. Adopted: March 7, 2006 Page 7 3/13/2007 05
14. All sailors will be required to skipper and crew. 15. While instructors will try to accommodate friends sailing together, they do reserve the right to assign crew based on the needs of the program Adopted: March 7, 2006 Page 8 3/13/2007 05