Youth Education Sails
A Floating Classroom on the Delaware River
Gloucester City Sail’s core mission is to give local youth the opportunity to learn history, do science, build teamwork, and actively participate aboard the Schooner North Wind.
YOUTH PROGRAMS
Hands-On Learning That Stays With Students
Sailing on the North Wind creates opportunities for students to ask questions, identify landmarks, learn nautical terms, and participate in a shared experience that promotes confidence, curiosity, and environmental interest.
WHAT STUDENTS GAIN
Learning, Leadership, and River Discovery
Youth sails combine sightseeing, participation, science, history, and teamwork in a setting students are unlikely to forget.
Hands-On Learning
Students actively participate while learning aboard a working schooner.
Teamwork & Leadership
Youth practice cooperation, communication, confidence, and responsibility.
History & Navigation
Crew share nautical terms, river history, landmarks, and sailing practices.
River Connection
Students build a stronger connection to the Delaware River and its environment.
YOUTH PROGRAMS
Science, History, Teamwork, and Discovery
Gloucester City Sail’s core mission is to provide local youth the opportunity to learn history, do science, and actively participate on the Schooner North Wind while sailing on the Delaware River. Youth sails promote cooperation, teamwork, leadership, positive attitudes, self-confidence, and interest in the environment.
Navigation
Nautical terms, procedures, hand-bearing compass work, charts, maps, and boat speed.
Weather
Cloud types, the octa system, tides, cloud coverage, and cloud formation.
Water Quality
Water chemistry, pollution, microplastics, and human impact on the river.
River Ecology
Trawl nets, plankton nets, microscopes, and the unit “Delaware River — There is Life!”
The Schooner North Wind offers hands-on educational programs designed to complement and enhance the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) in history, science, math, and 21st Century Life Skills for students in grades 3-12.
Youth Charter Sail
2-hour sightseeing charter for youth groups.
$595
Youth Education Sail
2-hour sail with sightseeing and structured lessons.
$950
NEED-BASED GRANTS
Helping Make Youth Sails Affordable
Limited need-based grants are available to help make North Wind’s youth sails affordable for eligible groups. Apply for grant assistance on the Youth Sail Request Form→
Youth Charter Grants
$50–$245
Youth Education Grants
$50–$600
Limited need-based grants range from $50–$245 for Youth Charter Sails and $50–$600 for Youth Education Sails.
ROUTE & SIGHTS
A Two-Hour Sail Through Local History
Youth sails typically leave from Freedom Pier in Gloucester City, at the base of the Walt Whitman Bridge, sail north under the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, and return while the crew provides commentary along the way.
Philadelphia skyline and Spark’s Shot Tower
Historic Barkentine Gazela
Battleship USS New Jersey
Barque Moshulu
Cocoa Pier / Pier 84
USS Olympia
REQUIREMENTS
Before Booking a Youth Sail
These requirements help ensure each youth sail is safe, organized, and appropriate for the participating group.
Each youth needs a signed parent or guardian permission slip.
Closed-toe, soft-soled shoes are required. Sandals are not permitted.
Transportation to and from the departure point must be provided by the organization.
At least 75% of the group must be youth to qualify as a youth sail.
Maximum of 30 passengers includes youth and chaperones.
Adequate chaperone coverage is required based on the age range of the group.
BRING STUDENTS ABOARD
Request a Youth Sail
To book a Youth Charter Sail or Youth Education Sail, submit a completed Youth Sail Request Form. For multiple trip requests, submit a separate form for each trip.