Summer Sailing Camps in Taitung: Week 7 and Counting!

Seven weeks into our summer program, our team here at Taitung Sailing School is tired but proud of what we've achieved.

For the sixth year running, our summer camps have brought children from across Taiwan and around the world to Taitung for a summer filled with sailing, outdoor adventures, new friendships—and plenty of time away from screens.

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Sailing Every Morning

Each week, our half-day students join us at Taitung's Flowing Lake from Monday to Friday for morning sailing classes. Alongside them are our full-camp students, who stay together in a cosy B&B in Dulan and continue their adventures throughout the afternoon and evening. 

Mornings are all about learning to sail. Each week, we've watched our students gradually build their confidence on the water, learning how to rig their boats, understand the wind, steer, and work independently while having plenty of fun along the way. 

Adventures Beyond the Lake

For our full-camp students, morning sailing is only the beginning.

Each afternoon brings a different adventure, including SUP, hula dance lessons, river tracing, and visits to local land where students spend time with a local grandma and grandpa. During the tribal experience, the students get a chance to step away from the routines of city life and experience a very different way of living. They explore the farm, go fishing, help prepare food, and learn about what it means to work with the land.

River tracing has also quickly become one of the students' favourite activities. It's wet, physical, challenging, and incredibly fun—and there is nothing quite like making your way through a beautiful Taitung river together as a group!

After a full day outdoors, the adventures continue in the evening with night games and plenty of time to relax together. And of course, no summer camp is complete without a beach bonfire. On the final night of each week, everyone gathers by the ocean, enjoying marshmallows, stories, and one last evening together under the Taitung sky.

"Will Clara Be Cooking for Us Again?"

One person who has become a major part of the summer camp experience is our wonderful camp mom, Clara. An Italian chef, Clara keeps our campers extremely well fed throughout the week—and apparently has developed quite the reputation.

Returning campers have been known to ask almost immediately after getting off the train: "Will Clara be cooking for us again?" Followed closely by: Will we see her dog, 鞭炮?"

We are pretty sure both questions are equally important.

Growing Independence

While the big adventures are easy to see, some of the most meaningful parts of camp happen in the quieter moments. One parent recently told us that after a week with us, away from home, she noticed a significant change in her child's independence and confidence.

At camp, students are responsible for things they might normally have adults do for them: washing dishes, sweeping the floors, taking care of their wet laundry, preparing their belongings for the next day's activities, and remembering what they need to bring to class.

She described it as the peeling away of a new layer—a kind of rebirth. She likened it to peeling skin off a sunburnt nose  Although we remind our students to reapply sunscreen throughout the day, and feel the frustration of even one little pink face, we loved the metaphor. 

Either way, watching children discover that they are capable of looking after themselves is one of the most rewarding parts of camp.

A Truly International Summer

This year, we've welcomed children from all over Taiwan, as well as students from the United States, Italy, and Okinawa, Japan.

Our bilingual Chinese-English environment creates another layer of challenge and discovery. For some students, communicating in another language comes naturally; for others, it takes a little more courage. Either way, the shared experience of camp gives everyone a reason to communicate, cooperate, and make new friends.

Thank You to Our Camp Community

Our summer program grows a little more every year, and that would not be possible without our incredible team, returning families, and parents who trust us with their children for a week away from home.

A huge thank you to every instructor, camp staff member, local community member, parent, and student who makes these weeks possible.

Seven weeks down, and we're still going!

If you'd like to find out more about our sailing programs in Taitung, including our upcoming winter camps, get in touch with us through any of our social media channels. We'd love to hear from you and help you find the right program.