Enrollment OPENS in JANUARY for SUMMER 2026!
Start your summer planning below:
Check out our summer scholarship opportunities below!
Scholarships are processed and awarded on a rolling basis as long as there is space available.
MEET OUR TEAM and learn about PROGRAM SAFETY and take a moment to look through our PROGRAM HANDBOOK!
Breakfast and lunch are provided at no cost for all campers, courtesy of Wareham Public Schools Food Services and the Summer Eats program.
Summer Camp Offerings
Bay Explorers Day Camp (Full Day 8:30 am – 4:00pm) Ages 8-13
Program Cost: $350/week (Summer Sessions)
A week in the Bay Explorers Day Camp program will be filled with kayaking, swimming, sailing, paddling, and exploring Onset Bay. Designed for 8-13 year old participants, this full-day, week-long session offers the best of what the Onset Bay Center has to offer. The Bay Explorers program allows for discovery, learning, and play in an outdoor setting while promoting team work, respect, and environmental awareness. Activities include kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, swimming, rowing, fishing, crabbing, shellfshing, beach exploration, and more!
Participants are required to be comfortable in salt water while wearing a PFD. Swim assessment conducted at the start of each program with lessons and free-swim sessions to follow throughout the week.
Session 1: June 29 – June 3 Session 2: July 6 – July 10 Session 3: July 13 – July 17
Session 4: July 20 – July 24 Session 5: July 27 – July 31 Session 6: Aug. 3 – Aug. 7
Session 7: Aug. 10 – Aug. 14 Session 8: Aug. 17 – 21
Sailing Day Camp (Full Day 9:00 am – 4:00 pm) Ages 8 – 15
Program Cost: $350/week
A great option for beginners and experienced sailors alike, our full day Sailing Camp offers group lessons aboard our sailboats. Learn the basics of sailing or build upon previous experience as you hone your skills on our fleet of sailboats, specifically designed for training. Take your summer adventure to the next level as you become more comfortable and knowledgeable about sailing! Coaching, delivered by highly qualified instructors, includes sailing skills, parts of the boat, rigging, capsize recovery, basic navigation, knots, and more!
It is intended to provide the opportunity for discovery, learning, and play in a dynamic nautical environment. In addition to nautical skills, the program encourages children to develop characteristics such as team work, self-reliance, and responsibility through activities on and off the water.
Participants are required to be comfortable in salt water while wearing a PFD.
Session 1: June 29 – June 3 Session 2: July 6 – July 10 Session 3: July 13 – July 17
Session 4: July 20 – July 24 Session 5: July 27 – July 31 Session 6: Aug. 3 – Aug. 7
Session 7: Aug. 10 – Aug. 14 Session 8: Aug. 17 – 21
Waterfront Training Academy: (8:30am-4:00pm, Ages 14-16 – By invitation only, and only open to past participants) FREE
Our Waterfront Training Academy is a 2-year program that provides the opportunity for older children to become leaders in our programs, working alongside Lead and Junior Instructors, in a structured, participant-focused program.
This program is designed for children ages 14-16 (As of June 1, 2026) who have previously participated in our programs. The ideal candidate is an enthusiastic and respectful role model who has a passion for and some experience in activities on the water, and an affinity for working with younger children. This is a great opportunity to gain skills and experience for those interested in working in a waterfront role in the future! Thousands of sailing and community boating centers are looking to hire young instructors with sailing and/or waterfront experience. This program will give participants a head start in training and certification to fill those roles!
WTA Year 1: Age 14 and first-time WTAs. Year 1 participants will spend their days receiving waterfront and group management training through engaging programs on the water and break out sessions with a dedicated WTA instructor, providing the opportunity for supported learning and feedback! Activities may include kayaking, sailing, paddleboarding, canoeing, beach exploration, and more, as participants get the opportunity to assist groups of younger children in their daily camp programs! Participants will focus on higher level paddling skills and have active discussions and observation periods aimed at learning what it means to be a safe and effective waterfront instructor. Spending half their days with peers and half with groups of younger campers, WTA Year 1 is the best way to practice leadership and independence while strengthening your own skills and enjoying time out on the water! There is no cost to participate in the program.
WTA Year 2: Year 2 WTA Cadets will spend their days fully immersed in assisting groups of younger children in camp groups. Under the direct supervision of Lead Waterfront and Sailing Instructors, Cadets have the opportunity to put into practice the leadership, group management, and advanced skills they’ve developed as campers and Year 1 participants while creating a positive and safe environment for younger campers. Cadets receive pre-summer training and will meet prior to the summer sessions to prepare for their. This programs functions as on-the-job training for future instructors for a variety of waterfront roles! There is no cost to participate in the program.
Minimum 2-consectutive week sessions:
Session 1: June 29 – June 3, July 6 – July 10
Session 2: July 13 – July 17, July 20 – July 24
Session 3: July 27 – July 31, Aug. 3 – Aug. 7
Session 4: Aug. 10 – Aug. 14, Aug. 17 – 21
This program, free for participants, prioritizes Wareham and low-income families, and is funded by a Wareham Community Development Block Grant. Participants will need to fill out an application and be selected to participate. Participation in the program does not guarantee future employment with the organization.
Summer Scholarship & Registration Information
Scholarships are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Scholarships will cover up to two sessions in the 2024 summer season. All scholarship application forms are kept strictly confidential. You can view our scholarship application here.
Preference is given:
- First, to residents of Onset, Wareham and Buzzards Bay
- Second, to residents of other Buzzards Bay Watershed Towns
- Third, to residents of any town outside of the watershed
The scholarship levels include:
- Households earning between $60,000 and $80,000 per year will receive a 75% discounted rate.
- Households earning <$60,000 per year will receive a 100% discounted rate.
If interested in applying for a scholarship, please send your completed form to weldon@savebuzzardsbay.org prior to registering for any programs.
Scholarship Application 2025