The Sailing School at HRMM Celebrates Ten Year Anniversary & Announces 2026 Youth Sailing Programs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Jody Sterling / HRMM Sailing School Director / [email protected]

KINGSTON, N.Y. – The Sailing School at the Hudson River Maritime Museum is celebrating its tenth year of programming in 2026. The only US Sailing Accredited sailing school in the Hudson Valley, it was founded in 2017 with a two-week pilot youth program on four sailboats with 24 youth sailors. Now, six graduates from that initial program have earned their US Sailing Instructor certifications, and they comprise half of our roster of highly skilled sailing instructors who will deliver youth and adult sailing classes to over 350 students in 2026 on our fleet of 22 sailboats!

The Sailing School at HRMM 2026 youth sailing programs include:

The Parent-Child Sailing class is for parents (or caregivers) and their children ages five to eight. The class comprises four 3-hour sessions (12 hours total) and aims to introduce children to the basics of sailing in a nurturing environment, so each student develops as a sailor while making new friends and having new experiences. Morning classes (9 am to noon) are for five- and six-year-olds with their adults, and afternoon classes (1 - 4 pm) are for seven- and eight-year-olds with their adults. Classes are designed for one adult and one child to sail together. ​No prior sailing experience is necessary.

Parent-Child Sailing will take place on June 29 - July 1 and August 17 - 20.

Fees are $425 per registrant per week. All HRMM members receive a 10% discount on registration.

At HRMM’s Voyager Camp, adventure meets learning in this all-day, multi-activity youth program that blends sailing, boat building, woodworking, museum education, solar boat tours, and hands-on STEAM activities into a unique experience. 

Designed for youths aged 9-17, this program is perfect for all skill levels. Our Seafarers (9-12 years) and Navigators (13-17 years) will spend each day sailing for three hours, practicing boat building and woodworking for 90 minutes, and participating in other STEAM activities involving history, crafts, games, and tours on our solar vessel, Solaris, all while making friends, learning new skills and fostering their creativity! Mid-day, Seafarers and Navigators will gather for an outdoor lunch onshore—perfect for sharing stories of their adventures.

HRMM’s professional woodworkers, museum and science educators, and US Sailing Certified Instructors are here to guide your kids every step of the way, ensuring they understand how STEAM principles come alive both in the workshop and on the water!

The Voyager Program will run Monday-Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm for six one-week sessions July 6th thorough August 14th.

Fees are $795 per week. All HRMM members receive a 10% discount on registration.

Find more information and registration details at hrmm.org or here.

Scholarship Opportunities. Creating a more inclusive waterfront by, providing access and removing financial barriers when needed is a critical part of our mission. We are pleased to offer scholarship opportunities to deserving young people for our summer programs. Financial aid and scholarships are available based upon need and available funding.

Find youth scholarship information and application details at hrmm.org or here.

The Hudson River Maritime Museum is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the maritime history of the Hudson River, its tributaries and related industries. In addition to extensive collections documenting maritime transportation, industry, recreation, and natural science, the museum offers classes and programs at its Woodworking School, Sailing and Rowing School, and aboard Solaris, the 100% solar powered tour boat and floating classroom. Now in its 46th year, HRMM is located along the historic Rondout waterfront in downtown Kingston.

For more information about the Hudson River Maritime Museum, please visit hrmm.org, find HRMM on Facebook, or call 845.338.0071.