Midshipmen are required to take sailing for two periods a day. They develop skill in rowing, sailing, seamanship and navigation, and are imbued with the Culver traditions of leadership and character in an atmosphere nurturing the whole person: mind, body and spirit.

Naval Band provides the musical backdrop for over 1,300 campers. The Band dates back to 1904. It maintains such cherished traditions as the weekly Garrison Parade, Upper Camp retreat parades, the Moonlight Serenade and occasional Sunday concerts.

Summer Naval School Overview

UNIT BREAKDOWN

Midshipmen are divided into 5 companies:

Naval Band – Orange Crush
Naval Company 1 – Awesome 1
Naval Company 2 – Super 2
Naval Company 3 – Spartan 3
Naval Company 4 – Force 4

HISTORY

Over 100 years ago, Culver planned the first session of its Summer School and announced this same purpose: “To afford an attractive and really profitable summer outing for boys; to furnish a properly balanced combination of work and play that would give a full measure of wholesome relaxation and pleasure and at the same time prove an effective substitute for the haphazard summer with its aimlessness and mental inertia.” (circa 1920)

SAILING CERTIFICATIONS

US SAILING is the governing body for the sport of sailing in the United States and its certifications are recognized internationally. Culver is the first non-profit affiliate member to certify in small boat, keel boat and coastal navigation.

LEDBETTER CREW

Second classmen may try out for the crew of Culver’s flagship, the R.H. Ledbetter – the largest fully rigged square-rigged vessel on fresh water in the world. The 21 top scores are selected as the crew with seven first classmen from the previous summer’s crew appointed as officers. The crew sets sail every Wednesday evening.

Culver Summer Naval School is a Naval Honor School of the United States Navy and has been since the award’s inception.