What's Camp Like?

Excellent coaching, ideal water, and a great atmosphere for learning has made Craftsbury a sought-after sculling destination for more than 30 years. Whether you want to improve your technical skills for competition, learn to scull for health and fitness, or simply have a fun, active vacation, Craftsbury has something for everyone. Here is a sample of what it is like at Craftsbury Sculling Camp.

Arriving at our office, a white 19th century farmhouse surrounded by 320 private acres, you are greeted by views of the two-mile lake and the mountains of the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Once checked in, you can get settled in your room or lakeside cottage before the camp begins. The Center’s classic dining hall, famous for its homemade food throughout the sports world, is the initial meeting place where introductions and an overview of the program take place before our first class on the water that afternoon.

We have three sculling sessions per day, early morning, midmorning, and late afternoon. On the water, you are coached individually in single shells, as well as working in small groups. Dockside talks with demonstrations provide a focus for each row. We videotape multiple times during the camp following up with technical reviews so you can see your progress. You are provided equipment suitable to your skill level. On land, you have options to find out about aspects of the sport such as core strengthening, stretching, training, race planning, rigging, or erging. You can take a yoga class or hear guest lecturers. We design our programs to fit the make up of each group.

In the afternoons, electives are offered such as visiting the Concept 2 factory, points of local interest, or enjoying the center’s facilities and trail system. There is practice sculling time when coaches are available to help you. This is a good time to try a demo boat, some new oars, or row a double. If you want, you can just kick back, relax, and get a massage. On Thursdays, we hold our own Head of the Hosmer event complete with evening festivities.

During our weeklong camps, Friday, the final day of the camp, wraps up with a morning session on the water then breakfast. Our 4-day and weekend programs conclude with two morning outings and lunch.

The hearty meals served between rows are perfect times for unwinding, exchanging stories, or following up with coaches. You learn as much off the water as on the water at Craftsbury because there is time to sit and talk with our coaches about racing, technique, training, or anything else during meals, social times, and around the evening campfires. The daily schedule at camp is full but well-paced giving you time to take breaks, enjoy yourself and absorb what you've learned. The enthusiasm and knowledge that our coaches bring to the Craftsbury experience will help you come away a better sculler. Join us!

Sample Daily Schedule

Feel free to email your specific questions about the program to us at sculling@craftsbury.com.