Wildwood Summer Camp for Young Boaters
Sandbar Joe's Junior Boating Camp gets kids ages 8–13 out on the Wildwood back bays with certified captains, real skills, and unforgettable adventure.
What's Inside This Wildwood Summer Camp Guide
The Best Wildwood Summer Camp for Kids Who Love the Water
Looking for a Wildwood summer camp that goes beyond the ordinary? Sandbar Joe's Junior Boating Camp is a brand-new, hands-on program that gets kids ages 8–13 out on the Wildwood back bays — learning real captain skills from certified professionals. This isn't your typical summer camp in Wildwood, New Jersey. It's an on-the-water experience where every camper gets time behind the wheel of a real boat.
Our half-day Wildwood kids camp runs Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM to noon, across 3 select weeks in July and August 2026. Whether your child is a first-time boater or already comfortable on the water, our program meets them where they are and teaches skills they'll carry for life.
Based out of the Sandbar Joe's dock in North Wildwood, we operate in the calm, protected back bays that make this part of the Jersey Shore one of the best places to learn boating. Parents love the half-day schedule — it leaves afternoons free for the beach, the Wildwood boardwalk and Morey's Piers, or simply relaxing on vacation.
2026 Wildwood Summer Camp Session Dates
Each week of our Wildwood summer camp runs Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM. Spots are limited per session to ensure the best possible experience for every camper. All sessions depart from our dock at 626 W 26th Ave in Wildwood, NJ.
What Kids Learn at Our Wildwood Summer Camp
Every day at our kids boating camp in Wildwood NJ is packed with hands-on learning. Our curriculum introduces young boaters to essential skills from a real captain's perspective — and every camper gets actual time at the helm.
Navigation Basics
Campers learn chart reading, compass work, and how to navigate the Wildwood back bay waterways safely and confidently. These are foundational skills every young boater needs to feel at home on the water.
Tides & Currents
Understanding how tides work is critical for safe boating. Our campers learn why tides matter and how a captain uses tidal patterns to plan the safest routes through the Wildwood marshlands and channels.
Knot Tying
From cleat hitches to bowlines, our Wildwood summer camp campers master the essential knots every boater needs — practiced hands-on with real dock equipment and ropes, not just diagrams.
Anchoring & Docking
Proper anchoring techniques, approaching a dock, and understanding how wind and current affect your vessel. These are real captain skills your kids will use for a lifetime of safe and confident boating.
Boat Anatomy
Bow, stern, port, starboard — campers learn the correct terminology and purpose for every part of a boat. They understand how each system works together, from the hull to the helm to the engine.
Coastal Stewardship
Respecting the water is a core value at Sandbar Joe's. Our campers learn about the local Wildwood ecosystem, spot native wildlife like herons and ospreys, and discover how to protect the Jersey Shore coastline.
Meet the Wildwood Summer Camp Instructors
Our Wildwood summer camp instructors are experienced, certified, and passionate about getting the next generation out on the water. With an 8:1 adult-to-student ratio, every single camper gets the individual attention they deserve throughout the entire week.
Captain Joe Gratz
The founder of Sandbar Joe's and the face behind every cruise. Captain Joe knows the Wildwood back bays like no one else and brings years of professional boating experience to every camp session. His passion for teaching kids is what inspired this entire program.
Jill Darrah
A middle school math teacher at Mastery Charter Schools in Philadelphia, Jill has been boating her entire life. She brings structure, patience, and a genuine love for teaching to every lesson — making complex boating concepts easy and fun for kids of all skill levels.
Safety at Our Wildwood Summer Camp
Parents trust our Wildwood summer camp because every detail is designed with your child's safety in mind. From certified staff to Coast Guard-inspected vessels, we exceed the standard for youth boating programs in New Jersey.
8:1 Adult-to-Student Ratio
Small groups mean more individual attention and a safer, more engaging experience for every camper on the water. No child gets lost in the crowd at our Wildwood kids camp.
Coast Guard-Inspected Vessel
We operate two boats for maximum flexibility. Our larger vessel is fully Coast Guard-inspected, giving parents complete peace of mind while their kids explore the Wildwood back bays.
Certified Captain & Staff
Captain Joe holds a Master 25-ton license with current First Aid and CPR certification. All camp staff are experienced boaters who have worked extensively with children in educational settings.
Life Jackets & NJ Law Compliance
Life jackets are required for children 12 and under on the smaller vessel per New Jersey state law. On our larger Coast Guard-inspected vessel, life jackets are optional for older campers. All safety gear is provided at no extra cost.
Calm, Protected Back Bay Waters
Unlike open ocean programs, our Wildwood summer camp operates exclusively in the calm, sheltered back bays. These are ideal conditions for young learners to build confidence without large waves or strong ocean currents.
Wildwood Summer Camp — Life on the Bay
Refer a Friend to Wildwood Summer Camp
Know another family who'd love to get their kids on the water this summer? Refer them to our Wildwood summer camp and both families receive a credit toward camp fees.
Just mention it when you register via email or phone. It's our way of saying thank you for spreading the word about Sandbar Joe's Junior Boating Camp in Wildwood, New Jersey.
Where to Find Our Wildwood Summer Camp
Sandbar Joe's Junior Boating Camp operates from our home dock in North Wildwood, nestled in the heart of the Wildwood back bays. The protected waters here are perfect for young boaters — calm, scenic, and teeming with wildlife like herons, ospreys, and horseshoe crabs.
Sandbar Joe's Dock
626 W 26th Ave, Wildwood, NJ 08260
Drop-off is at 8:15 AM each morning. Pick-up is at noon. Please arrive 15 minutes early on the first day of your camper's session for check-in and orientation.
Phone: (717) 802-9658
Email: info@sandbarjoes.com
Wildwood Summer Camp — Frequently Asked Questions
Our Junior Boating Camp is designed for kids ages 8 to 13. All skill levels are welcome — your child does not need any previous boating experience to join. Our instructors tailor the curriculum to meet each camper where they are, whether they're stepping on a boat for the first time or already experienced on the water.
Sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, a towel, and clothes that can get wet. Life jackets and all boating equipment are provided by Sandbar Joe's. We recommend water shoes or sandals with secure straps — no flip-flops on the boat for safety reasons.
Our Wildwood summer camp proceeds in all weather conditions. Light rain is part of the authentic boating experience. In the event of severe weather such as thunderstorms or high winds, activities will be adjusted for safety. No refunds are issued for weather-related changes.
Camp fees are non-refundable. Requests to switch to a different session week are subject to availability and require formal approval from the Camp Director. No refunds will be issued for missed days or weather-related cancellations. We encourage families to review the schedule carefully before registering.
We are exploring transportation to and from our Wildwood summer camp for families living on the 5-mile Wildwood Island for an additional fee. You can indicate your interest during registration and we will reach out with details if this option becomes available for your session week.
Yes — we incorporate swimming into the program when water and weather conditions allow. All swimming activities are closely supervised by our certified staff, and life jackets are available at all times for any camper who wants one.
Each weekly session is limited in enrollment to maintain our 8:1 adult-to-student ratio. This ensures every camper receives hands-on instruction and personal attention throughout the full four days. We recommend registering early as our Wildwood summer camp sessions fill quickly every year.
Yes! Every camper who completes a full week of our Junior Boating Camp receives a certificate of completion. It's a great keepsake and a source of pride for young boaters who earned their skills out on the Wildwood back bays with Captain Joe and our crew.
Register for Wildwood Summer Camp 2026
Spots fill fast — register today and give your kids the best summer on the Wildwood back bays. Our Wildwood summer camp is a one-of-a-kind experience they'll remember for years to come.
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