Instruction and Aquatic Weekends are for girls and adults with the proper prerequisites to take classes to learn how to sail or to enhance their sailing abilities on the Sunfish sailboats, camp sloops, or off Council based keeled sloops. Classes are also offered in lifeguard training, first aid and CPR, babysitting, canoeing and a host of other water related activities at the August Aquatic weekends. If you want to learn how to sail and become a Mariner, the first class you need to take is the Basic Sailing class held several times a year for girls and for those adults wishing to help volunteer with the sailing program. It is suggested that the girls participate in a JAWS weekend to see what sailing is like. Additional ratings for enhancing sailing skills are also offered several times a year. Resident camp also offers opportunities during the General Sail, Mates, and Seafarers sessions to obtain the basic sailing certificate as well as the enhanced ratings. Check the January and April Golden Links for course offerings, dates, and prerequisites for the spring and fall sailing season. Check the resident camp brochure for the summer camp offerings. Use the Program Registration Form found in The Golden Link, and send the completed form along with the proper fees to the Council registrar. Bring copies of all your certifications, prerequisites, permission slips, and medical forms with you to camp. Do not send them to the Girl Scout Center. For more information contact Sarah Boyd at sboyd@sjgs.org or 713-292-0269.

Just Add Wind and Sails (JAWS) weekends are designed for girls who meet the above swim and age requirements with no previous sailing experience or ratings a chance to sail at Camp Casa Mare on Sunfish sailboats and on camp sloops skippered by Mariners (girls who have earned their ARC Basic Sailing, GSSJC Seaman, or ARC Small Craft Safety-Sailing Rating or above). Mariners may earn service hours for ratings advancements by signing up for these weekends. Girls (non Mariners or Mariners) may individually sign up for any JAWS weekend by sending the proper information and fees ($20) to the event registrar on a first come, first placed policy. The cost includes two nights at camp, five meals, and sailing on Saturday and Sunday morning, weather permitting. This is an individual event so all girls must register independently, not as a troop. Check the schedule in The Golden Link for dates and specifics and who to contact for further information and who to send the registration information, proper fees, and copies of all your certifications (swimming and sailing).

Mariner weekends are for those girls who have earned an ARC Basic Sailing certificate or an ARC Small Craft Safety-Sailing certificate or GSSJC Seaman rating or higher ratings. Activities on these weekends center around sailing for fun but also include events like Mariner Dinner Theatre, Mariner meetings, and a host of other activities designed by the girls. Only girls who have obtained the “Mariner” rating may attend these weekends. Check The Golden Link for dates and specifics of the various weekends. The cost is $20 for the weekend. The girls need to use the program registration found in The Golden Link and send it in to the Council registrar with the proper fees. Be sure to BRING your certifications, permission slips, and medical forms with you to camp. (Do not send them to the Girl Scout Center.) For more information about Mariner weekends, contact Mariner coordinator Linda Suttles at lsuttleshoustonisd.org or the Mariner Commodore Chelsea Holloway at ckhway@yahoo.com.

NOTE: Mariners need service hours

Service hours are earned when giving service to the GSSJC sailing program. To obtain service hours, Mariners must perform service at an event sponsored by the GSSJC sailing program. Service hours MAY NOT be obtained on Mariner Weekends or for Mariner special events. Service hours may be used immediately towards ratings, or “banked” for future use. Check with the Mariner Coordinator for information.