Columbia Sailing School is a 501(c)(3) community sailing organization housed inside Columbia Yacht Club on Lake Michigan in downtown Chicago, just off Randolph Street. Its youth summer day camp runs Monday through Friday 9:00am-3:30pm for ten weeks from mid-June through mid-August, with courses grouped by age and experience from beginner classes for 7-year-olds up through the Optimist and C420 race teams that compete locally and nationally; families can book anywhere from one week to all ten. Every sailor takes a swim check on the first day and must bring a US Coast Guard-approved life vest, and classes move to indoor instruction when conditions are unsafe. Aftercare runs 4:00-6:00pm with games and swimming, and the school funds scholarships for Chicago-area children.
The practical details
We list only what the camp itself publishes, and programs change — dates, prices, ages and availability can all move after we check. Confirm the details on the camp’s own website and contact Columbia Sailing School directly before you register or pay. Last checked August 2026.
Camps nearby
Google Reviews
Powered by Google
★★★★★duke diepVery good
★★★★★Yuri KharitonskyFun with good counselors
★★★★★Darrin Basham
★★Teresa SerangeliOverall, I'm glad I paid the money because my daughter discovered a new interest which she plans to pursue. However, this school needs to hire better instructors, perhaps ones who actually like children. Julia, her instructor, complained a lot, made the students feel guilty when they made mistakes and was just generally grumpy and unpleasant. There was also a conversation about being hungover from partying the night before which I did not appreciate my 13 year old hearing. My daughter learned about sailing and wants to learn more but the overall experience was not great due to instructors who clearly didn't want to be there.