There are some great ways you can be more involved with SSA.

1. Volunteer! — There are many opportunities for volunteer work.

Season setup and teardown – We are always looking for help with equipment at the beginning and the end of the season. This may be retrieving boats from barns, matching sails and masts to dinghies, cleanup and more.

First Sail events – We regularly host First Sail events during the summer at the Geneva Farmer’s Market. First Sails are free sailboat rides to get the word out about SSA and encourage people to consider exploring our camps and instruction. Helping on the dock, at our tent, or on a boat are all great ways to ensure these community opportunities are the great experience they should be.

Assisting during camp sessions– Advanced campers who are interested in learning more or exploring becoming a counselor are strongly encouraged to volunteer. It’s a great way to begin working toward understanding the responsibility required and practicing the skills of being a counselor.

Help plan and assist at events – Wednesday night sailing, the year-end awards cookout, and more.

2. Board work — Sometimes the board is seeking new members. Sometimes the board seeks volunteers for specific projects, like helping assess need- or merit-based scholarships. Ask us!

3. Instruct — The camp won’t happen without instructors. Becoming an instructor requires dedication and hard work, but if you think you’ve got the right stuff, see below for some things to consider.

How do I get started?

Volunteering — Almost every instructor at SSA started out volunteering at SSA or their home sailing school. Advanced campers who are interested in learning more or exploring becoming an instructor are strongly encouraged to volunteer. It’s a great way to begin working toward understanding the responsibility required and practicing the skills of being a instructor. This can include working during the regular camp and at other events, like our First Sails.

US Sailing Certification — All hired SSA instructors must have the US Sailing Level 1 Small Boat instructor certification or, if younger than 17, US Sailing’s Sailing Counselor course.  US Sailing’s Level 1 certification includes online and in-person evaluation in both teaching and sailing skills, as well as completion of supporting certifications that include:

 – a Safe Boating course that is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA).

– Safesport training, which is designed to create a safe and positive environment for athletes by educating about abuse and misconduct

– US Coast Guard Approved CPR/FA course

The US Sailing Level 1 Small Boat instructor page includes step-by-step details on how to obtain certification. In particular, check their pages for listings of the in-person course offerings. These vary in place and timing from year-to-year, but there are usually several in the upstate New York region in spring and summer. You must be at least 16 to take the course. You must be 18 to be certified as an instructor. Candidates younger than 18 will be designated as Sailing Assistant until their 18th birthday.

For those younger or just starting out, look for the US Sailing Sailing Counselor course. Sailors as young as 14 may take this course and it’s highly recommended as a foundation for taking the Level 1 course later on.

SSA has occasionally hosted a training course on site, but we are at the whim of US Sailing and may be denied the request or we may have to wait a long time to find out if our request has been accepted. If it seems a course will be offered, we will alert SSA sailors, but there is no guarantee.