Policies

Youth Sailing Program Policies.

Lincolnville Boat Club (LBC)
A 501(c)(3) Educational Trust

The following policies govern participation in the Lincolnville Boat Club Youth Sailing Program. These standards are designed to promote safety, instructional quality, personal responsibility, and alignment with best practices consistent with US Sailing recommendations for youth sailing programs.


1. Program Purpose and Instructional Standards
LBC Youth Sailing programming provides structured, skill-based sailing instruction emphasizing:
Seamanship and boat handling
Situational awareness and safety
Environmental literacy and stewardship
Leadership and personal responsibility
Progressive technical development
All instruction is delivered by certified sailing instructors. Safety oversight is maintained at all times while students are on the water.


2. Attendance and Punctuality
2.1  Programming Hours:
Morning Classes:   08:30 – 12:00
Lunch break:     12:15 – 12:45
Afternoon Classes 13:00 – 16:30

2.2 Daily Arrival 
Students must arrive on time and be prepared for immediate participation at 08:30.
Late arrivals disrupt instructional sequencing and safety briefings.
Chronic lateness may result in dismissal from the program.


2.3 Daily Departure: 
Students may not leave LBC during their program day. 
1/2-day students: Parents must pick up between 12:15 and 12:30 daily. 
Full-day students: Parents must pick up by 17:00.

2.4 Absences:
Parents/guardians must notify the program director of any absence.
There will be no tuition refunds or prorations. 
Make-ups may be available at the sole discretion of the SPD and be subject to availability. 


3. Parent and Guardian Responsibilities
      WE WILL SAIL AND PROVIDE INSTRUCTION EVERY DAY
Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring that each participant:
Arrives properly dressed and equipped for weather conditions.
Brings adequate lunch, snacks, and water.
Applies sunscreen prior to arrival.
Has required medications in their possession (see Section 7).
Understands daily dismissal procedures.
The program operates in an outdoor environment. Preparation is essential.


4. Required Daily Equipment
All personal items must be marked with the sailor’s name:
Each participant must bring:
A properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard–approved Type III, personal flotation device(PFD)
Closed-toe water-appropriate footwear
Hat with retention (recommended) 
Buff neck/face/head gaiter for sun protection is preferred
Sunglasses with strap (recommended)
Refillable water bottle (minimum 1 liter recommended)
Nutritious lunch and supplemental snacks
Towel
Spare dry shirt
Weather-appropriate layers (including rain gear as needed)
Optional: 2 liter dry bag for personal items on water. 
Lockers are available but not secure. We recommend a small backpack for everything. 
Telephones must stay in lockers and may be accessed during lunch. 
Failure to arrive properly equipped may result in exclusion from on-water activities.


4.1 Prohibited items: 
Phone possession is not permitted during programming.
Electronics, other than a digital watch.
Firearms, weapons(excluding pocket knives with a 2.5” or smaller primary blade).
Drugs, alcohol, pharmaceuticals not prescribed to the student.
Any item not conducive to paying attention or participating in LBC programming.


5. Sun, Heat, and Hydration Policy
Youth sailing involves extended exposure to sun and reflected UV radiation from water surface.
Sunscreen must be applied prior to arrival.
Students are responsible for reapplication during the day.
Instructors will provide reminders but will not apply sunscreen.
Students must bring adequate hydration.
Water breaks will be enforced.
Heat-related symptoms will result in immediate removal from activity, heat and parent notification if necessary.


6. Time on the Water and Supervision
Students are supervised while engaged in scheduled program activities.
Instructors maintain on-water contact and oversight via safety boats.
Students are expected to follow all safety commands immediately.
Horseplay, unsafe behavior, or disregard for instruction may result in removal from activity or dismissal.
The aquatic environment carries inherent risk. Compliance with instructor direction is mandatory.


7. Medication Policy
LBC does not administer medications.
The program does not store, distribute, or manage participant medications.
LBC assumes no responsibility for monitoring dosage, timing, or medical compliance.
LBC does not vet or control medications brought by participants.
However:
Instructors may remind a child to take their own medication at scheduled times.
Students must self-administer medications independently.

7.1 Emergency Medications
If a participant carries emergency medication (e.g., inhaler, epinephrine auto-injector):
The medication must remain accessible to the student.
Parents must provide written emergency action instructions.
Students must be capable of self-administration unless otherwise agreed in writing.


8. Behavioral Expectations
Participation requires:
Respect toward instructors and peers.
Compliance with safety directives.
Care of boats and equipment.
Attention during instruction.
Responsible conduct on and off the water.
Bullying, harassment, or unsafe conduct will not be tolerated. LBC reserves the right to dismiss any participant whose behavior compromises safety or instructional integrity.


9. Instructor Access and Boundaries
To ensure professional standards:
Communication between students and instructors occurs within program structure.
Instructors are not available for private instruction unless by separate agreement with LBC.
Parents must communicate program concerns directly to the Program Director, not instructors. 
Instructor contact outside program hours must follow established communication policies.
All staff operate in accordance with youth protection standards consistent with US Sailing SafeSport-aligned best practices.