Summer Camp Registration Open!
REGISTER HERE
Summer Sessions June 8th – Aug 14th
Ages: 8 – 12
Camp Hours: 9:00am – 3:30pm
Extended Hours: 8:00am – 9:00am
& 3:30pm – 5:30pm
Campers dive into hands-on maritime skills while learning to row and sail our fleet of small boats. Each day is packed with fun and adventure along the waterfront. Activities range from free play on the beach to science-based projects that foster stewardship and spark curiosity about our marine environment and the National Park.
Maritime Summer Camp Manual
Please note that our camp activities repeat each week. To ensure the best experience for your camper, please do not register your child for more than 2 weeks of camp.
Testimonials
View all of our reviews on Activity Hero
“We’ve done ALL the camps, and let me say that Maritime Camp is special! This is the camp that creates core memories. The curriculum is such a great balance of outdoorsy and physically arduous activities like rowing and sailing, while also keeping summer minds stimulated by learning about marine science, and SF history. The location and setting is truly unique: sailing with alcatraz and the golden gate bridge as your backdrop and walking field trips to historic ships, vessels, and locations. And most of all the counselors are SO wonderful. They clearly spend a lot of time perfecting the curriculum, are professionals in their field, and genuinely care about fostering a passion for marine life and marine science in their campers. My own kiddo had some apprehension about sailing and the counselors were so caring and wonderful, and by the end, my kid was stoked to be out on the boats. Highly recommend if you want a camp that delivers a truly unique experience.”
Natalie M., June 2026 via Activity Hero
Fisherman’s Wharf has much to offer! At Historic Pier 45 campers visit the historic WW2 submarine, USS Pampanito, where they learn some of the science that submariners used to keep the submarine afloat or submerged (buoyancy), to escape detection (sonar), to reach their destination safely (navigation), to see what was at the water’s surface (periscopes), and keep the lights on (batteries). They’ll learn what life was like aboard a submarine for the brave individuals who chose that service.
Around Aquatic Park, campers become marine scientists as they conduct water-quality tests and examine plankton. Aboard a catamaran sailing on San Francisco Bay, they’ll also have the chance to observe local wildlife up close.
Campers will also dive into the rich maritime history of the National Park with a visit to the Visitor Center and the iconic Maritime Museum. They’ll discover the stories behind the museum’s vibrant murals and even earn their official Junior Ranger badge along the way!
Our rowing & sailing training program is conducted aboard our diverse fleet of small craft. Campers start out in our 24′ longboat, Cutter J, where they all work together to row in unison and pilot the boat safely around the Park’s lagoon. They then graduate to the small row boats that fit 1 – 3 campers at a time. There, campers learn to handle a set of oars by themselves and steer a boat on their own.
When the conditions are good–i.e., when the wind and tides are in our favor–campers will get to sail our fleet of Pelican sailboats. These are hardy craft designed specifically for the San Francisco Bay, and they make excellent sail-training vessels. Campers will handle the tiller and learn to steer the boat to keep it sailing, they’ll trim the sheets and learn to adjust sail, and once proficient, they’ll even race each other in the lagoon! Bear in mind that learning to row & sail with skill are both lifelong pursuits; this camp is an introduction to sailing small boats.
And what maritime camp would be complete without a day on the beach! We encourage families to come to camp for the Friday beach party -you should have some summer fun, too!