NCS Program Details

Intended for our 14 - 17 year old sailors who have participated in a minimum of 420 Blue or 420 Race Team, the Instructor-in-Training Program provides sailors with the opportunity to try out instructing at our Polpis Harbor or Jetties Sailing Center sites under direct supervision and mentorship from our full-time instructors, as well as receive training in how to succeed at sailing instruction.

Sailors must apply for the program and must be accepted by the Program Director. Upon being accepted, volunteers will work with the Program Director to set up a volunteer schedule. In exchange for volunteer hours, volunteers will receive volunteer t-shirts; receive a formal letter from NCS at the end of the summer detailing their time commitment to be used for high school requirements; and be invited to 2-3 training sessions throughout the summer. Training sessions are intended to help prepare volunteers to take the US Sailing Small Boat Level 1 Instructor course. This course is required for all NCS Instructors, and students must be 16 years old to take the course. Summer training sessions will mimic anticipated course work and include sessions on: safe power-boating, chalk-talk delivery/presentation skills; and basic sailing theory.

Volunteers are required to:

• Commit to a regular weekly schedule, which includes 2 days at the site each week.
• Commit to a minimum of 40 volunteer hours.
• Be 14 years old at the start of their volunteer work.
• Be First Aid and CPR certified by the Red Cross or American Heart Association, by the start of volunteering

Volunteers completing the Instructor in Training course and becoming Level 1 certified (once they turn 16), are encouraged to apply to NCS for full employment. However, neither of these guarantees an individual a position at NCS.

To apply to the Instructor-in-Training program, students should complete the NCS Employment Application and select "Volunteer Instructor-in-Training" program at the top. Questions can be directed to emily@nantucketsailing.org. Space limited to 6 volunteers.