FIRST MATE ACADEMY
Private
First Mate Academy in Palm Harbor is a boating and fishing skills camp that teaches kids to assist a charter captain, with a 3:1 student-to-instructor ratio. Weeks are themed around a featured fish, covering how to locate and catch the species, bait rigging, regulations, conservation, knot tying, boat safety, marine terminology, cast netting, and casting, taught alongside a USCG charter captain and professional first mates on the boat and on land. Sessions run as a weekly 90-minute class over six weeks rather than a full-day daily camp.
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 FIRST MATE ACADEMY directly before you register or pay. Last checked August 2026.
Camps nearby
Google Reviews
Powered by Google
★★★★★Nicole GoncalezFirst week of the 2026 Summer First Mate Academy was an absolute blast! Captain Andy and his crew are top notch. Thank you for kicking off the summer with splash!
★★★★★Paul BartoloneThe camp was amazing I had a blast we had so much fun out on the water and the best time fishing.We learn how to be good first mates by learning how to take care of the boat by cleaning it and makeshuring we treated it well we also learned lots of cool knots like ones we use to tie the boat to the dock and how to rigg up your fishing rod. And we Evan saw a shark while we were on the water. The camp was worth every penny.
★★★★★Greg BuikemaUpdate Our son attended camp with First Mate Academy last summer and we loved the experience so much that we decided to book a fishing charter with them as well — and they did not disappoint! We brought along two 12-year-olds and the crew was incredibly accommodating, making sure the kids had a blast the whole time. The fishing was great — we landed a trout on the very first cast, which had everyone cheering, and the hits kept coming throughout the morning as we tried out three different spots. You could tell the crew really knows the water. From camp to charter, First Mate Academy has been fantastic every step of the way. Would highly recommend to any family looking for a great experience on the water. We’ll definitely be back! ————————— Wow—what an incredible experience! First Mate Academy exceeded every expectation and gave our child an unforgettable summer adventure. Captain Andy and the crew welcomed us with warmth, professionalism, and a true passion for teaching kids about the outdoors. Our child learned about the best baits to use for targeted species, cast netting, and landing fish while gaining an appreciation for patience, focus, and nature. The captains are knowledgeable, encouraging, and amazing with kids. Every day brought new stories, big smiles, and the thrill of catching their first big fish! The camp is safe, well-run, and filled with heart. We’ll definitely be back next year!
★★★★★Mark RobinsonCaptain Andy and First Mate Savannah were awesome this weekend. He knows where the fish are, what they're biting on, and where to land the bait. The best part of the whole experience is his very positive and exciting personality that you might not get with other captains. We'll look forward to more opportunities to work together and also have had and will continue to have our kids in his camps. Highly recommend!
★★★★★Jasmine BallesteroMy daughter had a wonderful experience in the program. Captain Andy did a wonderful job empowering her with the skills and knowledge of boat safety. She really enjoyed herself and will be back for another session.