A premium sailing and adventure experience on Italy’s smallest island for New York teens
SINCE
1997
AGES
12 – 17
July 2 – 11
Registration, documents, & payments
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Contact via Form here on the website or send us an email expressing your interest.
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Lorenzo will schedule an in-person meeting with parents at Sullaluna, our bookstore and bistro in the West Village.
This meeting helps both sides understand expectations and ensure the program is the right fit.
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A valid passport and international medical insurance. US citizens do not require a visa to travel to Italy.
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No. We welcome complete beginners and experienced sailors alike.
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A wide range of boats such as 555FIV, Nikan, Open570, Laser classes, 420, RS500, Open Bic, Laser 4000, 49er and Moth.
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About three hours per day, adjusted for weather and safety conditions.
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We offer structured alternative activities including workshops, snorkeling, swimming, sports, and cultural visits. If possible, we will make up the sailing outing during the week.
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Students explore the Roman Villa of Giulia, ancient cisterns and aqueducts, as well as guided environmental and marine biology activities.
Program, sailing, & activities
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Students stay at the Foresteria, our island guesthouse, which provides a safe, simple and welcoming environment. The property is operated by Ventotene Sailing School and is dedicated exclusively to hosting students during the program.
For the entire duration of the Ventotene Summer Camp, enrolled students are the only guests staying on site, ensuring a controlled and cohesive environment.
The guesthouse includes a full kitchen, where our chef prepares fresh, traditional meals daily using local and seasonal ingredients, aligned with the program’s nutritional and quality standards.
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Rooms host four to six students, divided by gender and personal preference when possible.
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Yes — each room has its own bathroom.
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No. This is intentional. The guesthouse is located by the sea where natural breezes keep rooms cool at night. Rooms also have modern ceiling fans. Students spend most of the day at the sailing base and return to the guesthouse only during the cooler hours.
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Wifi is available for both guests and staff across the camp, ensuring easy connectivity when needed.
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All of them, breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner are included daily, all made of fresh organic and local products.
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Yes — we can accommodate all dietary restrictions, allergies and preferences.
Accommodation & daily life
Communication
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Students usually call home once per day, either before or after dinner.
For any special needs or urgent situations, our staff remains available to both students and parents 24/7, with a dedicated point of contact throughout the program.
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Absolutely. Emergency numbers are shared before departure, and our team is always available.
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Yes, daily photos are uploaded to keep families connected with the experience.
Travel & flights
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No, flights are not included.
However, families may purchase the flight directly through us, ensuring that all students travel together and are fully accompanied by our chaperones.
The estimated round-trip flight cost is approximately 1200 USD. -
The group departs from New York JFK, meeting well in advance for a calm and smooth start to the journey. Three experienced adult chaperones accompany the students throughout the entire trip.
Upon arrival in Rome, the group travels by private bus to the port of Formia (about two hours), followed by a one-hour ferry to Ventotene, offering beautiful views and a first feel of the island.
Meals and snacks are provided, and students may purchase additional items if they wish.
Flight details and airline information will be shared with families as soon as arrangements are finalized.
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Our team includes nine staff members on the island plus two travel chaperones. Students are supervised 24/7.
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Yes. All sailing instructors hold official certifications and are highly experienced with youth programs.
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Yes — all staff members speak both English and Italian.
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Yes. All staff members assigned to the program hold current First Aid and CPR certifications, and we verify their credentials before the season starts. We also run internal refresh sessions to ensure everyone is confident in handling minor injuries and basic emergency procedures.
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Yes. Students wear certified lifejackets and are supported by multiple rescue motorboats with trained personnel.
Staff & safety
Moments
The island
Ventotene is a small, inhabited Italian island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, roughly half the size of Central Park.
Almost car-free, safe, and tightly-knit, it offers a controlled and authentic environment. Ideal conditions for sailing, outdoor education, and cultural immersion.
About us
Ventotene Summer Camp is rooted in a lifelong family story and a deeply personal journey. Lorenzo Tonello grew up on the island of Ventotene, immersed in sailing, the sea, and the friendships that define a childhood. He is the son of Rodolfo Tonello, who founded the Scuola Vela Ventotene in 1985 and has been shaping generations of young sailors ever since.
Ventotene is a rare place: small, safe, almost entirely car-free, and uniquely suited to creating meaningful, lasting bonds. For decades, thousands of children have lived formative summer experiences on the island—experiences so powerful that they return year after year.
After moving to New York and founding Sullaluna in the West Village, Lorenzo decided to unite his two worlds. In 2024, Ventotene Summer Camp was born: a premium summer program designed for American students, developed over a full year to meet U.S. standards while preserving the authenticity of the island.
This is more than a summer camp. It is a bridge between Ventotene and New York, between family legacy and future generations. A safe, intimate, and transformative experience rooted in a real story—one that invites young people to belong, grow, and discover a place they will always want to return to.
