Frequently Asked Questions - Youth Program

The Edgewood Sailing School admits students of any race, skin color, or national origin to all activities accorded and made available at the School.

Anyone, at any time, who participates in sailing, or seeks access to the docks or the boats must wear an approved life vest, and must be able to swim.

Yes, scholarships are available. Please see the Youth Scholarships page for more details.

The Edgewood Sailing School Youth Program accepts major credit cards. 
Refunds are not available. 
Not making immediate payment will disqualify your Registration, and may result in your spot being given to another student. (Certain allowed exceptions apply.)

1. PAYMENTS DUE IMMEDIATELY 

• annual registration fee – to be paid immediately on the first registration for each student, one time for each student each summer. Required annually to request registration in any youth class. Required, even if applying for Scholarship.

• tuitions and fees - to be paid in full immediately at the time of registration for any and all classes requested in that student's registration form. Paid when completing each Registration Form.

2. ALLOWED EXCEPTIONS – "Wait List" and "Instructor Approval" and "Scholarship".

• "Wait List" - no tuition will be charged until a place in the class is available. 
  When space is available, tuition will due in full no later than at the first meeting of the class, but usually no longer than 5 business days from the date you are notified that the space is available.

• "Instructor Approval" - no tuition will be charged until a place in the class is available.  
  When approved, tuition will due in full no later than at the first meeting of the class, but usually no longer than 5 business days from the date you are notified that approval has been given.

• Rick MacNeil - Jean Westcott Scholarship Fund – Annual Registration  Fee ($25) is required immediately at registration; but no tuition payment is required for that student until the Scholarship Application has been reviewed by the Scholarship Committee. The Rick MacNeil - Jean Westcott Scholarship Fund is available to both the sailors who are sailing their first summer at  Edgewood and to the youth sailors who have already been in the Youth Program at Edgewood for several years.

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If you have any balance due, please be sure to make full payment as part of the registration process. Any not fully paid registration will be set aside onto the WAIT LIST, until the family account is paid-up in full, meaning you will lose your child's place in a class if there is a wait-list for that class, or if others register and pay before you pay and you are reinstated. At the beginning of each year, a payment deadline is announced.  The deadline is immediate-payment.  

Thanks for your cooperation with this – it's a necessary process as ESS youth classes have become more popular and as we have had to more closely manage our tuition inflows. We greatly appreciate your support.

Each class description includes a comment, "Best ages for this class."  These are only ranges. The ranges are not specific limits. These ranges are the ones that have usually set up the best match of ages among the sailors, and have generally provided the most fun for all.

• Starter Sailor/Save the Bay  ages 7-13
• Opti Sailing ages 10-14
• 420 Sailing ages 13-17

There are many opportunities to sail together, if you're in the same class.

Progression thru the program is rarely linear: 1 "beginner" class, then on to 1 "intermediate" class, then on to 1 "racing" class and then "done." Children respond, and retain skills, utilizing repetition. Having solid fundamentals is critical to their safety, confidence, and success. Almost every single sailor in our program repeats – or "refreshes" – one or more classes. We call the classes "and Refresher". The "refresher" is a good opportunity to strengthen skills, broaden experience, and increase confidence. Social considerations are also important. When in doubt, please email the youth registrar, youth-program@edgewoodsailing.org, or send a question through <ContactUs>.

To participate in classes at the Edgewood Sailing School, you must agree to the terms of our Youth Waiver. We will send parents and guardians an electronic waiver for your digital signature before your child's first class each season.

Edgewood Sailing School has an “alcohol and water don’t mix” policy. Operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol creates an unnecessary additional risk that ESS will not tolerate. No use of alcohol prior to or during any ESS session or while operating or otherwise on board any ESS boat is permitted under any circumstances. No one who appears intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled or illegal substance will be allowed on board any ESS vessel at any time. By participating in ESS boating activities, all participants agree to this policy. We thank you for your cooperation in maintaining as safe and enjoyable an environment as possible.

Minor boat damage(scratches/dings)are repaired by ESS volunteers. Major boat damage is paid for by the family. If two ESS boats are involved, we counsel sharing the cost.

Some classes require "Instructor Approval". The Instructor approval goal is to match each inddividual sailor's skills, experience, and class objectives to that of the entire group. Requiring Instructor Approval helps by setting appropriate and goals for the group, and this allows each sailor to work at his/her best against realistic challenges and opportunities.

When we receive your online registration, we will send you an email confirming that there is space in the class.  

If your class doesn't require "Instructor Approval", payment can be made with registration, or when you receive the confirmation.

If your class does require "Instructor Approval",  we will hold a place in the class for you while Instructor approval is processed.  You will receive an email saying that we have your registration information, but have wait-listed you while the Instructor checks out your request.  If your class requires "Instructor Approval", please do not make payment at this time.  After you receive Instructor Approval, an email will be sent to you, you will be enrolled in the class, and asked to make payment.