What's Camp Like?

Excellent coaching, ideal water, and a great atmosphere for learning have made Craftsbury a sought-after sculling destination for more than 35 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 small taste of the experience of Craftsbury Sculling Camp.

Arriving at our office, a white 19th century farmhouse surrounded by over 400 acres of privately-owned land, you are greeted by views of our 3000-meter lake backed by the scenic Lowell Mountains. Once checked in, you can get settled in your room or lakeside cottage before camp begins. The Center's dining hall, renowned for its hearty, healthy, tasty menus, is where introductions and an overview of the program take place before our first class on the water that afternoon.

We generally have three sculling sessions per day, early morning, midmorning, and late afternoon. We fit rowers with a shell and sculls appropriate to their skill level (all part of the program fees) - or bring your own shell. On the water, the early sessions are generally geared toward individual instruction, with the midday row organized around small group instruction and drills. Dockside talks with demonstrations provide a focus for each row. We videotape multiple times during the camp following up with technical reviews so campers can track their progress over the week.

Back on land, take advantage of the options to learn other 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 Concept2 factory, points of local interest, or stay closer to campus and enjoy the Center's trails and facilities. The afternoon's free row is a time to explore what you've learned independently, row a demo boat, try a team boat, or work with one of the coaches on a specific technical point. If you prefer, you can relax or get a massage to work out the kinks. On Thursdays, we use this time to hold our own low-key Head of the Hosmer race complete with evening festivities.

During our six day long 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.

Beyond being characterized by excellent and tasty local food, the hearty meals served between rows are perfect times for unwinding, exchanging stories, or following up with coaches. One learns 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 the 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. Why not come join us?

Sample Daily Schedule

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