Sailing Instructor
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Sailing Instructor Description
Picture a sunny blue sky, the wind whipping through your hair, and a boat gliding across the shimmering water. On a summer day, there’s not many places more idyllic than a sailboat, and you could get paid this summer for sailing and instructing on the peaceful waters of Lake Summit, in Western North Carolina!
Falling Creek’s sailing facility is located about 10 minutes from the main part of camp, on Lake Summit. Lake Summit is approximately 300 acres and has about 10 miles of shoreline. Our docks and boathouse were renovated in 2021, and our fleet of boats includes Sunfish, Aquafin, and Laser Picos. You’ll be teaching campers knots, how to rig a boat, what to do if the boat capsizes, parts of a boat, how to read wind and weather patterns, and how to control your boat while sailing. Like all of our activities, sailing has a five level progression system. As you help campers progress in sailing, they can also try sailing solo.
Instruction is offered each weekday for boys of varying ages and skill levels. Sailing is offered as a daily “Block” activity, where campers can sign up to go for all 3 morning activity periods, or all 3 afternoon activity periods.
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What’s a Typical Day Like For This Position?
See a glimpse of life at the sailing docks in this blog post!
Male camp counselors live in a cabin with one other counselor and eight campers. In addition to their activity instruction, male counselors will have an assortment of responsibilities related to the management of their cabin. Female camp counselors also serve as activity staff, but don’t live in cabins with the campers, and are responsible instead for organizational tasks during the times that male staff are busy with their cabins.
Each day at camp begins with waking up as a cabin and gathering as a community at Morning Watch. Next we enjoy a hearty breakfast and an exciting Morning Assembly on the porch. Then it’s off to the first three activity periods of the day (or your morning block), followed by a period of Free Choice before lunch. On a typical day, each counselor will be assigned a specific area to supervise during one Free Choice period, and have the other Free Choice period to themselves as their “Self-Care Time”.
Rest Hour happens after lunch, before the three activity periods in the afternoon (or your afternoon block). Then there is the second Free Choice period, dinner, and a fun Evening Program! A typical day ends with Milk and Cookies, followed by Evening Embers, a discussion time with your cabin mates to talk about the day’s adventures. Everyone is tired and happy by the time it’s Lights Out. On weekends, we take a break from our regular activity instruction, sleep in an extra hour, and play games as a whole camp community.
At Falling Creek, campers are free to sign up for the activities they want on their daily schedule. Even though you might have 8 boys in your cabin who are the same age, you’ll be instructing a variety of ages and skill levels throughout the day in your 2.5 hour activity blocks at the lake.
On a typical day for our sailing team, you might teach campers how to tie off a sail on a mast, explain the difference between a “bite” and a loop on a rope, facilitate teamwork skills between boat partners, teach a lesson on tacking and jibing, or help campers learn boat terminology. You and your fellow sailing instructors will have lesson plans (that you can help build!) that will be tailored for the different progression levels and abilities.
Need internship credit?
Many of our counselors who need internship credit to graduate don’t realize that they can earn that credit while working at camp! We can coordinate with your department to tailor a unique learning experience, and have set up internship credit across a wide variety of disciplines. Read more about the value of an internship at camp or how to translate your camp experience to your resume.
Working at camp isn’t just fun and rewarding, it’s also a great way to jumpstart your professional development. The skills critical for success in today’s world are developed and practiced at camp, including communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and contribution. You’ll make connections with people from a variety of cultural backgrounds, across the country and around the world. Being a Falling Creek alumni also connects you to a network of former staff and parents who are business owners, entrepreneurs, outdoor industry professionals, and employers. We are frequently asked to refer our most talented staff members.
Career Development & Resources
Why Should You Be a Sailing Counselor?
As a sailing instructor, you’ll be a role model for the boys both on and off the water, and will gain valuable experience both as a sailor and a teacher. You’ll be able to teach campers perseverance, attentiveness, patience, and resourcefulness through sailing, and give them a summer experience that they’ll never forget.
You’ll have the opportunity to receive trainings and certifications that will benefit you long after the summer is over, such as Lifeguard, Wilderness First Aid, or the US Sailing Instructor Course.
If you’re majoring in outdoor education, recreation management, teaching, or are on your college’s sailing team, being a summer camp sailing instructor will give you invaluable experience for your future career path. Even if your college major is unrelated to sailing or the outdoors, you’ll still be gaining leadership skills and networking connections that will give you a competitive edge in the job market, no matter where you go next.
What’s My Time-Off Like?
Each week you’ll receive a scheduled time-off period of approximately 34 hours, typically in one block of time. While the 2025 time-off schedule specifics are up for discussion during this off-season, in 2024 a time-off period started at 1 pm on a certain day and ended at 11 pm the next day. For example, someone with a Monday time-off period would be off from 1 pm Monday to 11 pm Tuesday. Staff are also able to take an hour of “self-care time” each day at camp, where you are free to read, workout, nap, or do anything you need to “recharge your batteries” daily. Everyone gets the same amount of time off; the schedule is based on your position and role at camp. Being well-rested and refreshed is a must! (During session changeover weeks, this schedule is altered slightly.)
What Benefits Do I Get?
We offer a competitive and progressive pay schedule that is determined based on your experience, age, education, certifications, and other factors. See the 2025 Estimated Pay Sheet here. Staff working the full summer (Orientation plus 4 sessions) will have a base pay of $4300, not including additional pay, experience, and bonuses.
In addition to housing, food, and pay, each day at camp brings adventure, physical recreation, and endless opportunities for personal and professional growth. You are welcome to use the camp facilities and participate in activities during your free time, so long as it does not take away from a class or camper.
Visit our “What You Get” page to read more about the value of an internship at camp, how to translate your camp experience to your resume, resources, networking, and certifications offered.
When Do I Need To Be Available?
While individual dates may differ based on your personal contract, our summer season is from mid May to mid August, and our preference is to hire for the full season. For the 2025 season,
All-Staff Orientation begins on May 30th (Friday, arrive by 10 am). Closing Day is August 15th after the final session.
Depending on your role at camp, you may need to arrive earlier in May for additional training. We begin WFR certification training (for Adventure Staff only) on May 17th, followed by Leadership Training (for Line Leadership, Activity Leaders, Adventure Staff, Lifeguards, and Horseback Staff only) on May 26th. You also have the option to extend your contract by joining us for Father/Son Weekends.
What Essential Skills Are Needed?
Completed At Least One Year of College and/or At Least 19 Years Old.
Our mission is existing to shepherd the journey of personal growth through love and adventure. Staff must be dedicated to live by the Falling Creek Code.
Patient. Flexible. Team Player. Genuinely Enthusiastic. Friendly. Eager to Grow. Open to Offer and Receive Feedback. Able to Think on Your Feet. Good Decision Maker. Hard Working. Get-It-Done Attitude.
See more on our staff FAQs page.