The Blue Valley Youth Sailing Foundation has four youth sailing programs. Twice each summer we offer Camp Opti.

Once a youth has completed Camp Opti they are welcome to continue sailing with the Advanced Opti Program. When a youth’s sailing skills and physical size allow, they move to the Advanced Boats Program. All Camp Opti graduates are invited to the Youth Sailing Labor Day Weekend Regatta. Each program is described below and the dates are on our sailing calendar. A parent or adult sponsors participates with their youth in all events.

CAMP OPTI is a week-long program presented on weekday evenings and Saturday and Sunday. Girls and boys between the ages seven and thirteen learn the basics of sailing in an eight-foot pram Opti Pram. By the end of the camp the youth will be able to sail away from the dock, complete a prescribed course and return safely to the dock.

ADVANCED OPTI PROGAM emphasizes time on the water in Opti Prams. Time is also spent on sailing terms, knot tying, sail trim and shape and other basic sailing skills

ADVANCED BOATS PROGRAM is for youth who have demonstrated the sailing skills and have the physical size to safely handle Sunfish and Flying Junior sailboats. Time on then water continues to be the major objective of our youth sailing education. Opportunities may arise for adult sponsors to sail with their youth.

YOUTH SAILING REGATTA has been held every Sunday afternoon of Labor Day Weekend since 2018. The regatta is open to all graduates of Camp Opti whose families are current members of the Blue Valley Youth Sailing Foundation. The regatta has different races for Opti Prams, Sunfish and Flying Juniors with prizes for each class. Sailor are assigned to their class of boat by staff. Regatta entry application are included with the other program applications.

A Family Membership in The Blue Valley Youth Sailing Foundation is required for participation in all of our programs. The Annual Fee for a family membership is $30.00. There is an additional enrollment fee for Camp Opti of $30.00 per youth. No additional fee is required for either advanced program or the regatta.

To enroll in our programs please fill out and send us a Family Membership Application, a Youth Sailing Application and the Youth Sailing Participation Agreement together with the applicable fees. If you can not afford the fees please attach short note to your application saying so and confidential arraignments will be made by the Commodore and Treasurer to waive the fee.

After the forms are fill out you can either scan them and email them to bvysf@cox.net and mail your check to:

The Blue Valley Youth Sailing Foundation
P.O. Box 842
Manhattan, KS  66505

or you can mail the forms and check to that same address.

If you have questions please feel free to contact our Program Director, Henry Otto at bvysf@cox.net.