Miscellaneous
I DO NOT TURN 13 UNTIL THE END OF THE SUMMER... CAN I STILL ATTEND?
Yes, as long as you will be 13 heading into the 2024-2025 school year and are prepared to handle the physical demands of the sport, you are more than welcome to attend camp. Rowers are expected to be able to lift approximately 30 pounds (their share of the boat weight) over their heads when transferring the boats in and out of the water at the beginning and end of each rowing session.
I AM ALSO INTERESTED IN ATTENDING ONE OF USNA'S OTHER SUMMER PROGRAMS... CAN I STAY IN THE DORM BETWEEN SESSIONS/CAMPS?
No, the USNA is unable to provide housing between camps. In the past, campers who have elected to do both have stayed with family/friends in the nearby area or in a hotel between camps.
Registration
DO YOU OFFER A DAY CAMP?
No. We have found that an integral part of the camp’s experience lies in the bonding opportunities presented by living in the Midshipmen dorm for the week and therefore do not offer a day camp option.
IS THERE VALUE IN ATTENDING MORE THAN ONE WEEK?
Yes! Our schedule is the same each week, but in most cases, you will be placed with a different coach each week and have the opportunity to hear a new voice and get new feedback on your rowing stroke. The more you attend, the more you get out of it!
DO YOU OFFER DISCOUNTS?
We offer a sibling discount for families sending more than one camper to our Navy Rowing Camp for Girls: the first Navy Girls' Rowing camper is full price and each additional Navy Girls' Rowing camper is discounted $100. This discount will be applied in the form of a refund back to your original payment method; please contact us via email at navycamps@gmail.com to request your discount.
Navy Sports Camps do not offer military discounts due to the large volume of campers from military families.
DO YOU HAVE A PAYMENT PLAN OPTION?
No, payment in full for camp is expected at the time of application. Applications not matched with a full payment within 24 hours will be cancelled. Our camps will fill and we cannot hold spots without payment.
DO CAMPERS TYPICALLY COME ALONE OR WITH A TEAMMATE?
It’s about 50/50. We know many younger campers are often nervous to come to camp without a friend or teammate, but please know that at least half of our campers typically come alone but leave with strong new friendships due to the structure of our boatings and rooming assignments.
HOW MANY CAMPERS DO YOU TAKE?
Our Development Camps typically range from 50 to 80 campers.
Our Learn-to-Row Camps typically have 20-22 campers.
Our Development and Learn-to-Row Camps operate separately for rowing sessions but are brought together for most land seminars and will dine and be housed in the dormitory together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Medical & Dining
CAN I ATTEND CAMP IF I HAVE A FOOD ALLERGY?
It honestly depends on the nature and severity of your food allergy. As we are a camp at the United States Naval Academy, where allergies to common foods can be grounds for disqualification from service, we do not have the type of dining hall setup that you would see at a traditional college/university. Meals are served family style, food is cooked in peanut oil, and peanut butter is on every table. Outside of salads and fruit, there is not a buffet nor an option to place an order for specially prepared meals for individual campers.
A gluten-free menu is not available to campers.
If you have an allergy that allows you to evaluate meals on the spot to determine what is safe for you, you will likely be able to attend camp but we would encourage you to bring some supplemental dry food (not requiring refrigeration or heating) just in case.
For any allergy questions/concerns, we advise you to please reach out to us at navycamps@gmail.com prior to applying to see if this camp will be the right fit for you.
I PREFER A SPECIAL DIET (e.g. VEGETARIAN/VEGAN/GLUTEN-FREE)... WILL SPECIAL MEALS BE AVAILABLE TO ME?
As the Naval Academy is not a traditional college, we do not have a traditional college dining hall set-up. Meals are served family style (rather than buffet) and most meals include a meat. Special vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free meals will not be available so campers must be able to properly nourish themselves with the meals offered and any dry supplemental food they choose to bring. As our camp days and workout sessions are long and proper nutrition is critical, if you have a dietary concern, we do ask that you review our dining page carefully and reach out to us to discuss your situation prior to completing an application.
WHAT IS YOUR POLICY FOR CAMPER MEDICATION?
If your camper takes regular medication, please note that camp staff may supervise a camper taking the medicine but cannot actually administer the medicine or take possession of it. Campers must be able to self-medicate responsibly to attend camp.
If your camper will need access to a refrigerator for their medication, please let our camp staff know in advance via email.
DO YOU HAVE A COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT?
No, COVID-19 vaccination is not required for participation in our camps (policy updated January 2023).
What to Bring
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
Please refer to our comprehensive packing list.
AM I ALLOWED TO HAVE MY CELL PHONE?
Yes, however cell phones are only to be kept and used in the camper’s room and are not allowed out at formal camp activities (meals, rowing sessions, seminars, etc.), as we wish to have our campers fully present and engaged while they are with us at camp. The camp reserves the right to confiscate cell phones from campers who do not follow this policy.
Camp Curriculum
WHAT KIND OF BOATS WILL WE ROW?
Our camp is a sweep camp and we boat in 8+s. Depending on numbers, there is a chance that we may row 4+s. We do not offer sculling experience at our camp, but scullers are very much welcome to work with us as a sweep rowers for the week!
IS THERE A LOT OF ERGING?
There will be some erging throughout camp, but please trust that the vast majority of our camp rowing is spent out on the water. We may do some shorter erg work, but rest assured that we will not be 2k testing!
WHAT DO YOU OFFER FOR COXSWAIN TRAINING?
Our coxswains receive feedback alongside their rower counterparts throughout each water session, and meet with their assigned coach before and after sessions for additional feedback and communication. Additionally, we have small group coxswain seminars led by one of our camp coaches (where coxswains are welcome to bring recordings to receive feedback).
Our goal is to develop our coxswains' independence and leadership skills throughout the week.
I HAVE ALREADY TAKEN LEARN-TO-ROW, WHY DO I NEED TO REPEAT IT?
If you have taken a learn-to-row course or similar basic training but will not have had a full season with a formal team/program by the start of camp, you will be placed in the Learn-to-Row Camp. The reason for this is that 1-2 weeks of introductory training is just not the same as 2-3 months of routine rowing & racing -- campers will just not be able to keep up with the volume and skill expectations of our Development Camp. Instead, campers with limited prior experience will be grouped with other campers of similar ability and taken through a more accelerated/next level of learn-to-row to continue advancing their skills and better prepare them to join a school or club program after camp.
I HAVE NO EXPERIENCE; CAN I ATTEND CAMP?
Yes! We accept complete novices to the sport in our June 16-20 and June 23-27 weeks of camp. We will teach you everything!
Travel to/from Camp
HOW SHOULD I GET TO CAMP?
Campers may arrive by car, train, or plane. If traveling by train or air, we recommend the BWI Amtrak Station or BWI Airport, as they are closest to Annapolis. Complimentary curbside shuttle service is provided to campers from both BWI Amtrak and BWI Airport (learn more about this option in the FAQs below).
Check-in for campers and families arriving by car is held at the Navy-Marine Corps Football Stadium where parking is plentiful. Details, including timing and directions, can be found on our check-in/out page here.
DO MY PARENTS NEED TO COME WITH ME?
We will not have long-term parking available for campers, so if arriving by car, campers should plan on being driven by a parent or guardian. Parents will have the choice of dropping their camper off at stadium check-in or helping to move their camper into the dorm during our check-in window (if planning to help, we advise arriving on the earlier end of our 2-3pm check-in as the last return shuttle to the stadium departs the dorm at 3:15pm and it's a bit of a hike on foot to get back if you miss that shuttle!).
For arrival by plane or train, we do offer a complimentary curbside shuttle service for families who choose to have their campers travel on their own but we are unable to participate in the airlines' and trains' unaccompanied minor program so campers must be able to get themselves independently outside of security on arrival day and check in on their own on departure day. If you choose to have your camper travel independently, please make sure to research the age requirements of your airline or train company prior to making arrangements. Please see the next FAQ for more information on this shuttle service. If you have additional questions, please contact us.
HOW DOES THE CAMP SHUTTLE WORK?
For campers traveling on their own by air or train, we offer a complimentary curbside shuttle service (pre-registration is required!) with Sunday pick-ups and check-out day (Wed for 4-day / Thu for 5-day) drop-offs at BWI Airport and BWI Amtrak Station. On Sunday arrival day, a camp staff member will meet the campers outside of security & baggage at the airport/train station and accompany them on the shuttle over to the Midshipmen dorm and help them find their rooms; check-in will take place on the camp shuttle for those campers. For check-out, a camp staff member will accompany campers on the shuttle to the airport and train, but will not escort campers in to the airport or train station. Campers must be able to get themselves independently to the Sunday pick-up point and check in on their own for their departing flight or train.
Full details regarding shuttle pick-up/drop-off times and locations, as well as recommended flight/train times, can be found here.
WHEN SHOULD I ARRIVE IN ANNAPOLIS?
Please refer to our check-in/out page for the most up-to-date times and details.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY FLIGHT IS DELAYED AND I MISS THE SHUTTLE?
As flight delays are inevitable, we always recommend booking an early flight. It’s better to have a little extra time at the airport or train station than to stress over being late!
However, if your delays are significant, pending your eventual arrival and space, you may be able to get on the Boys’ Crew Camp shuttle that picks up after ours. If your flight is delayed later than that or if the Boys’ Camp shuttle has no room, we will coordinate a pickup from the airport for you by one of our camp staff. Please note that we will only do this for *delayed* flights -- if you choose a flight that arrives later than 1:30pm or a train arriving later than 2:00pm, it is up to the camper and their family to arrange for alternate transportation to camp.
I CANNOT MAKE IT ON TIME FOR CHECK-IN / I NEED TO LEAVE CAMP EARLY, WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Unfortunately, due to staffing needs and security on the Naval Yard, we are unable to accommodate alternate check-in and check-out times for individual campers. Please make sure that you review our check-in and check-out times carefully before applying to camp.
WHEN IS CHECK-OUT?
Please refer to our check-in/out page for full details and timing.
WHAT IF I HAVE MILITARY ID?
Even if you have military ID, you will need to officially check in with camp staff at the stadium to receive your room assignment and to drop off your medical form if you have not submitted it previously. Campers are required to travel onto the Yard in our camp shuttle, but parents with military ID may choose to follow the bus in their own vehicle. Please understand that parking by Bancroft Hall may be very limited, and we cannot guarantee parent parking.
I'M TRAVELING WITH A MEMBER OF THE BOYS' CAMP - ARE WE ABLE TO CHECK IN AND OUT AT THE SAME TIME?
Our camp check-ins and check-outs are staggered: the Boys’ Camp check-in on Sunday is at 4pm (with a 3:30 pm pick-up from BWI Airport and 3:45 pm pick-up from BWI Amtrak) and their check-out on Wednesday/Thursday is at 10:30am (with a 10:30 am shuttle to the airport and train station). Our camp check-in is at 2pm on Sunday (with a 2pm pick-up from BWI Airport and a 2:30pm pick-up from BWI Amtrak) and our check-out on Wednesday/Thursday is at 12:30pm (with a 12:45pm shuttle to the airport and train station).
So, if you are traveling with one of our boys’ campers, you should plan on an early enough arrival on Sunday and a late enough departure Wednesday/Thursday to accommodate the Girls’ Camp schedule as outlined above. If traveling by air or train, the boy camper will need to wait at the airport or train station for the Boys’ Camp shuttle as there is no early check-in option available on Sunday.