First Mates

Information

First Mates is a summer program for children ages 5-7. New in 2023, there will be morning sessions of First Mates from 9 am – 12 pm and afternoon sessions from 1 – 4 pm! Morning session activities will include some sailing, kayaking, or stand-up paddle boarding (as indicated in the schedule); afternoon sessions will be more land-based because of the weather (it can be quite windy in the afternoons). If the weather allows, afternoon First Mates groups may go sailing, kayaking and SUP’ing. The Afternoon Adventures will include activities such as arts and crafts, crabbing and beachcombing, games at CYC, and adventures both on land and weather permitting on the water.

• Children must be 5 years old before the class date
• Classes are limited to 10 participants

Session Dates

• July 11 - August 24 (7 weeks) one-week sessions that take place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
• There are two schedules in 2023: a morning session, 9 am - 12 pm and an afternoon session, 1 - 4 pm
• Children can participate in either a morning session or an afternoon session. Children may not participate in both the morning and afternoon in a single week (it is not a full-day program).

Registration Dates

April 24: Registration for First Mates is now open to the public 

Registration Link & Medical Waiver

• Register for First Mates
• Medical Release & Liability Waiver

Cost

$125/child/week for members; $150/child/week for non-member

Payment

• Member children and grandchildren of members will be billed to the member account. 
• Payment by check is encouraged for all guests - checks can be mailed to:

Conanicut Yacht Club
P.O. Box 257
Jamestown, RI 02835

Waiting lists will be kept for all weeks and sessions and we will do our best to accommodate all as best we can - thank you for your patience.

Schedule for 2023

Week 1: July 11 – 13
9 am – 12 pm, Sailing
1 – 4 pm, Afternoon Adventures

Week 2: July 18 - 20
9 am – 12 pm, SUPS and Kayaks
1 – 4 pm, Afternoon Adventures

Week 3: July 25 - 27
9 am – 12 pm, Sailing
1 – 4 pm, Afternoon Adventures

Week 4: August 1 – 3
9 am – 12 pm, Sailing
1 – 4 pm, Afternoon Adventures

Week 5: August 8-10
9 am – 12 pm, SUPS and Kayaks
1 – 4 pm, Afternoon Adventures

Week 6: August 15-17
9 am – 12 pm, Sailing
1 – 4 pm, Afternoon Adventures

Week 7: August 22 - 24
9 am – 12 pm, SUPS and Kayaks
1 – 4 pm, Afternoon Adventures

Sailing for Beginners: July 11-13 | July 25-27 | August 1-3 | August 15-17

Sailing is fun! The aim of this class is to help kids feel relaxed and confident in boats and have fun! Children will learn sailing basics in a safe environment. They will sail Hunter 140s in larger groups with an instructor in each boat. Children will participate in activities related to sailing, seamanship, and the marine environment, including crabbing and net fishing to fill the Junior Sailing fish tank. Breaks for snacks and games will be included each morning.

Drop off for First Mates sailing is at the far end of the junior sailing room (room with a purple floor), which is under the back porch of the main Clubhouse. Please use the east-facing door (door closer to the back steps) to drop off and pick up.

SUPs & Kayaking: July 18-20 | August 8-10 | August 22-24

First Mates will experience stand up paddle boarding and kayaking! There will also be shore-based instructors for those who would rather explore the shoreline and play on land. (Life jackets are required due to the general swimming inexperience of this age group.) Children should bring the following: water bottle, snack, towel, sunscreen, water, hat, warm layer, anything else they’d like or need for a morning at the beach.

Drop off is on the beach behind Grapes & Gourmet (directly across from Bank Newport).

Afternoon Adventures, new in 2023! July 11 - August 24

First Mates Afternoon Adventures will take place from 1 - 4 pm. Activities include arts and crafts, crabbing and beach combing, and games at CYC. There will also be adventures both on land and, weather permitting, on the water. Participants will go kayaking, sailing and stand up paddle boarding as weather permits, but those activities should not be expected.