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Three days of sailing historic wooden boats, ACA-guided paddling, and hands-on boatshop woodworking on Lake Erie. Teens (13–18) gain navigation, safety, and a started canoe paddle while exploring Buffalo’s maritime roots.
Three days of sailing historic wooden boats, ACA-guided paddling, and hands-on boatshop woodworking on Lake Erie. Teens (13–18) gain navigation, safety, and a started canoe paddle while exploring Buffalo’s maritime roots.
Book with Buffalo Maritime Center
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Buffalo Maritime Center · Buffalo, NY
BMC Navigator Camp puts teenagers on the water and in the boatshop for three days of hands-on maritime skills in Buffalo, New York. Located on the Lake Erie shore and using sites across downtown Buffalo, campers sail historic wooden boats, learn tandem canoeing, and begin carving their own canoe paddle from basswood. The program draws from real places: students meet at the Commercial Slip (44 Prime St., Buffalo, NY 14203), SUNY Buffalo State's Great Lakes Center (196 Porter Ave., Buffalo, NY 14201), and the Buffalo Maritime Center boatshop (90 Arthur St., Buffalo, NY 14207), moving between classroom, harbor, and shop. Day one introduces basic weather, safety, and float plans before taking students out on Lake Erie in the center’s wooden sailboats. Experienced sailors teach trim, points of sail, and how wake, wind, and current combine on an inland Great Lake. On day two certified American Canoe Association instructors build confidence in tandem canoes at the Great Lakes Center, integrating a short talk from researchers about Lake Erie ecology to ground paddling skills in local science. The final day moves to the boatshop where basswood blanks become the start of a personalized canoe paddle; campers lay out and cut their blanks and are invited back to finish their paddles through the afterschool program at the Buffalo Maritime Center. What makes this camp special is its full-spectrum approach. Participants rotate between on-water navigation, hands-on boat maintenance and woodworking, and science conversations about Lake Erie. Small group sizes (12) and a minimum age of 13 mean instructors can tailor progress while keeping safety central. The camp provides life jackets, paddles, water, snacks, and sunscreen, but students leave with more than gear: new anticipation for waterways, practical woodworking skills, and an earned float plan. The program operates roughly 9 AM to 2 PM across three consecutive days; exact check-in points and daily schedules are weather-dependent and are confirmed by email the day before. To cancel a reservation you must give at least 48 hours notice; for cancellations call Chelsea @ 716-525-6601. Whether you are curious about restoring wooden boats, eager to gain paddlecraft skill, or looking for a productive youth summer option in Buffalo, BMC Navigator Camp turns Lake Erie’s shoreline into a classroom where craft, safety, and local maritime history meet. Families can expect a low student-to-instructor ratio, safety briefings, and a mix of classroom and active time that suits beginners and curious teens. Bring a reusable water bottle and sun protection; instructors will handle technical gear. The camp’s combination of Lake Erie sailing, ACA paddling instruction, and beginning boatbuilding makes it a rare urban maritime education that connects young people to Buffalo’s waterfront and the practical skills that keep wooden-boat traditions alive.
moderate.
3 days (approx. 9 AM–2 PM daily).
Participants should be comfortable with moderate physical activity, able to paddle in tandem for extended periods, and manage short periods of standing and woodworking.
Camp is for students ages 13–18; the minimum age is 13.
Check-in locations vary by day and weather; possible sites are Buffalo Maritime Center 90 Arthur St., Buffalo, NY 14207; Commercial Slip 44 Prime St., Buffalo, NY 14203; and SUNY Buffalo State's Great Lakes Center 196 Porter Ave., Buffalo, NY 14201.
You must provide at least 48 hours notice to cancel; for cancellations call Chelsea @ 716-525-6601.
Campers will lay out and have their basswood blanks cut, but finishing work is completed later—return to the shop or enroll in the afterschool program to finish free of charge.
Daily itineraries and drop-off locations are subject to change depending on weather; organizers will email updates the evening before each day.
No previous sailing or woodworking experience is required; certified instructors teach progressionally and safety is emphasized throughout.
Buffalo’s waterfront grew around Great Lakes commerce; the Buffalo Maritime Center keeps wooden-boat building and local maritime skills alive through education.
Instructors highlight Lake Erie ecology and research from SUNY Buffalo State; students are encouraged to minimize waste and follow shoreline stewardship practices.
Buffalo Maritime Center in Buffalo, New York preserves and activates the region’s maritime heritage by offering on-water experiences, boat rentals, and instructional paddles. The organization operates a variety of vessels — including the silent, battery-powered Electra Launch, classic wooden sailboats, Floatmingo paddle boats, and the whimsical Salem duck boat — and runs narrated and guided outings on the Buffalo River, Lake Erie, and Hoyt Lake. Visitors can choose from several curated experiences: the 90‑minute Electra Cruise past historic grain mills and lift bridges; Electra Thursdays, a 60‑minute evening electric boat outing on the Commercial Slip; Wednesday Night Sailing, a 90‑minute sunset sail on a wooden boat; and Tuesday Night Paddles, weekly guided paddles led by certified instructors from rotating launch sites. Floatmingo paddle boat rentals are available in two‑passenger and four‑passenger options for relaxed laps around Hoyt Lake, while Salem the Duck seats up to four adults for a lighthearted ride. Safety measures include provided life jackets on appropriate trips and guidance from experienced sailors and certified paddling instructors. The center’s programming emphasizes accessibility, family-friendly options, and a low‑impact electric cruising option that highlights Buffalo’s industrial waterfront and natural scenery. Programs run seasonally with scheduled public departures and private bookings available; participants are encouraged to reserve spots in advance to secure preferred dates and times for best availability and planning.
Book with Buffalo Maritime Center