Camp Quinebarge, located on the shores of Lake Kanasatka in Moultonborough, New Hampshire, has offered generations of young campers a classic summer experience rich in outdoor adventure, friendship, and skill-building. Founded in 1936, Camp Quinebarge now welcomes boys and girls ages six through 16 to participate in activities such as sailing, kayaking, archery, ziplining, horseback riding, woodworking, and its beloved Monkeytown traditions. Recognized as one of America’s top summer camps, Camp Quinebarge emphasizes not only fun but also safety, personal growth, and community values. With a strong commitment to youth development and outdoor education, camp staff teach children to approach water activities with confidence and responsibility. These principles provide a foundation for understanding the essential safety practices that make sailing and boating both enjoyable and secure for every camper.
Important Safety Sailing Tips for Campers
Summer camp provides American youths with the opportunity to try a range of new activities they might otherwise not have the chance to experience. Summer camps that offer lake access often allow children and teenagers to engage in sailing and boating. Spending time on the water provides campers with many benefits, from stress reduction to the development of practical skills that may influence a future career path. To optimize sailing and boating experiences at summer camp, individuals should follow a few key safety tips.
To begin, individuals preparing for a summer camp experience who want to spend time on the water should consider taking a boating safety course. In 2024, 75 percent of serious boating accidents involved an operator who had not completed a boating safety instruction class. Some camps may require safety courses and other instructional classes if campers want to operate vessels.
Similarly, campers should familiarize themselves with important nautical rules. Navigating buoys and interacting with other boats, for example, are important safety topics for campers who plan to sail across lakes that may host a wide range of summer camp activities. With this in mind, campers must pay attention to where they sail at all times to avoid a collision or accident.
Kids at summer camp must appreciate the importance of going through the pre-departure checklist. Counselors should lead campers through the checklist, which includes assessing the boat for damage and ensuring all gear, especially the life jackets, is in good condition. Federal law requires all passengers under 13 to wear a life jacket at all times, and most summer camps extend this rule to passengers of all ages, regardless of sailing or swimming ability. In 2024, nearly 90 percent of all drowning victims in the United States did not have a life jacket.
The concept of a float plan is more common for long voyages. That said, no camper should set out on a lake or river without informing multiple people of their intentions, including exactly where they are going and when they intend to return.
Boating sober is extremely important, and a matter of both US law and camp safety. Campers should never set foot in a boat if they believe that the operator is under the influence of alcohol.
Another key aspect of sailing and boating safety involves learning how to recognize and respond to signs of poor weather. Campers, counselors, and camp officials should track life weather updates before setting sail. That said, the weather can change in a matter of minutes. Common signs of incoming weather include sudden fog, darkening clouds, and flashes of lightning. A drop in barometric pressure often indicates foul weather approaching, as can shifting winds and marked temperature changes. Bad weather usually approaches from the west, but storms that roll in from the east can prove especially damaging to vessels caught on the open water.
At the first sign of bad weather, campers should make for shore. However, boaters should reduce speed and exercise extra caution when navigating choppy waters and strong winds. It is especially important to wear life jackets as conditions worsen.
If campers are using boats with electrical equipment, they should turn all electricity off at the first sign of lightning. Campers should secure all loose items and close all doors and hatches. Finally, if sailors must drop anchor and wait out rough weather, they should do so from the bow, which can minimize the risk of drifting and swamping. Campers should never drop anchor from the stern in a storm.
About Camp Quinebarge
Camp Quinebarge is a traditional co-ed sleepaway camp in Moultonborough, New Hampshire, offering outdoor adventure, creative arts, and character-building programs for children ages six to 16. Situated along 1,250 feet of lakefront on Lake Kanasatka, the camp provides activities such as sailing, swimming, kayaking, archery, and woodshop. Founded in 1936, Camp Quinebarge emphasizes friendship, kindness, skill development, and community spirit while giving back to local organizations throughout the Lakes Region.
