By Mary Swift-Swan

Learning to sail teaches independent and inter-dependent skills. Whether sailing alone or as a team, there is an opportunity to understand different dimensions of the world around us--wind, water, and land are all interrelated in a way that makes a difference to sailors. A sailor has to look for wind and also duck into wind shadows when there is too much of it. Sailing larger boats requires learning how to effectively lead and work cooperatively with others in order to reach your destination.

If you mess up the trim of the sail, a boat will turn into the wind and stop shake its sailas it bobs with its nose to the wind waiting for you to pull a line, grab the helm, andplay off the breeze again. When mistakes are made in a little boat, the worst that can happen is getting wet while instructors in safety boats coach how to right the boat and beginsailing again. Once basics are understood and initial skills are mastered enough to play well, it feels like you are flying. After basics, there is always more to learn because Mother Nature keeps challenging sailors whether crossing a lake, estuary, bay, or ocean. Learning to sail is a great gift to give to your kids or yourself this summer.

Benicia Yacht Club 8/12-9/9 provides summer programs for beginners in El Toros and Dewitts for youth 9 and up to learn to sail. (707) 746-0739 www.beniciayachtclub.com

Encinal Yacht Club in Alameda offers 9 weeks of excellent youth camps starting in June for youth 8-19. (510) 769-0221 eycyouth@aol.com.

Lake Merritt Boating Center in Oakland opened in 1952 to teach sailing. They now offer Sailing into Science. Starting in June, there will be10 weeks of fun summer camps for kids. They also offer affordable adult ASA certification options for small and keel boats. (510) 238-2196 www.oaklandnet.con/parks/programs/boating.asp

San Francisco Yacht Club in Belvedere-Tiburon offers beginning to advanced learning and competitive programs available throughout the summer. The summer camps are M-F for 2 weeks, either half or full days. (415) 435-9525 sfycyouth@aol.com

Stanford Summer Camp offers beginning to advanced 2 week, M-F sessions and special racing clinic in June and July. Rowing and sailing combination camps also available. (650) 725-0745 amygross@stanford.edu or www.gostanford.com

Tahoe Summer Camps start in June. Though not in the Bay, they sound like fun. (530) 525-7245 sailboatralph@worldnet.att.net

Sail San Francisco and Hawaiian Chieftain offer local learning on tall ships. While sailing, youth are introduced to navigation and the art of tying knots. Some try a trick at the helm while others play games with pulleys or other activities. For summer programs, call Sail San Francisco at (415) 447-9822 www.SailSanFrancisco.org.

There are many summer learning opportunities available for kids in sports and learning camps. Sailing, ice skating, Aikido, golf, science, and theater are just a few of the many other options for kids this summer all around the San Francisco Bay Area. If cost is a concern, do not hesitate to ask any of the program leaders about scholarships.

Alameda Parks and Recreation offers a full array of programs. To find out details or enroll, contact them through the ARPD website at www.ci.alameda.ca.us or call 510-748-4565.

Program choices include: 10 weekly Aikido classes, June to August. Junior sailing in 3 week-long camps beginning June 16th at Encinal Yacht Club. Ice Skating for ages 4-15, one day a week or a one-week, M-F camp offered once a month, starting June 23 for ages 6 and up. There is a theater program culminating in Music Man, Jr. All who enroll will get a role in this classic musical. There are Mad Science Camps, language, music, history, gymnastics, carpentry, yoga, soccer, and lots more. Teens, adults, and seniors all have program options to choose from as well.

37TH Annual Sand Castle/Sculpture Contest–Crown Beach

Registration starts at 9am. Viewing and judging is at noon, awards at 1pm. Even if you’re not participating, it’s worth the ferry and bike ride or drive to the south side of the main island for a wonderfully fun day. Remember how inventive cups and spoons can be?