BELLINGHAM WATER ACTIVITIES FIELD GUIDE
Development Team — Building Seamanship, Confidence, and Community for 3rd–7th Graders
A nine-week after-school sailing program in Bellingham that teaches foundational seamanship, cold-water safety, teamwork and an introduction to recreational racing.
Development Team — Building Seamanship, Confidence, and Community for 3rd–7th Graders.
The Development Team is an inclusive youth sailing program that foregrounds personal growth and sportsmanship while teaching the fundamentals of sailing and seamanship. Over a structured series of sessions, participants learn cold-water safety, basic boat handling and the interpersonal skills—communication, teamwork and self-awareness—that make small-boat sailing both safe and social.
Highlights
Program Highlights
An inclusive, growth‑focused team
The Development Team emphasizes an inclusive community where sailors build confidence, challenge comfort zones safely, and support one another on and off the water.
Foundational seamanship and cold‑water safety
Sessions concentrate on core sailing skills and cold‑water safety, giving young sailors the practical basics they will carry through their sailing careers.
Intro to recreational racing and regattas
The team introduces sailors to recreational racing, teaching healthy competition and sportsmanship; motivated participants may be invited to regional regattas.
What the day feels like
What it feels like to be on the Development Team
Across the program, sailors move from orientation and shore‑side instruction into repeated on‑water practice that reinforces basic boat handling, seamanship and cold‑water protocols. The environment is deliberately supportive: coaches push comfort zones within safe limits while fostering communication and teamwork that translate into better boatsmanship and confidence.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this program suits — and who it doesn’t.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Confirm required clothing and personal gear with the Community Boating Center; the program emphasizes cold‑water safety and appropriate preparation.
The Development Team runs as a repeated after‑school program; confirm specific session dates and any calendar details with the operator.
The program seeks to remove cost barriers; inquire with the Community Boating Center about the available scholarship application.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
What grades can join the Development Team?
The program is for 3rd–7th grade sailors.
How long does the program run and when are sessions?
The Development Team runs across nine weeks with sessions held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Who operates the Development Team?
The Community Boating Center operates the Development Team.
Will my child learn racing?
Yes — the team introduces recreational racing and supports sailors interested in competing; motivated sailors may be invited to regional regattas.
Is financial assistance available?
Financial aid is available through the program's scholarship offerings; interested families should consult the operator's scholarship information.
What skills does the Development Team emphasize?
The program focuses on foundational sailing knowledge, basic seamanship, cold‑water safety and social‑emotional skills such as teamwork and communication.