Ashore and afloat, we offer programs year-round for youth ages 2 to teens, adults and in-service teachers who are eager to connect with the amazing biodiversity of Essex County’s beautiful coastal landscapes.
Our programs are based on the 8 Shields, a model of education that derived from indigenous methods of teaching children about nature. These techniques from earth-based cultures have been time-tested across thousands of years.
Registration for Summer 2013 programs opened November 7, 2012.
This 8 Shields model, which emerged from a collaborative effort worldwide led by Jon Young and the 8 Shields Institute, is an alternative to traditional environmental education. It is beyond the cutting edge—it is the forming edge of creating nature-based learning that will create to a future generation of earth-minded stewards.
Our programs and services include summer youth programs, afterschool and vacation week programs, homeschool classes, parent-child toddler classes, graduate courses for teachers, stewardship events like beach cleanups, and outreach into schools and attendance at community events.
Help Kids Get Outside …
"In the last two decades, childhood has moved indoors. The average American boy or girl spends just four to seven minutes in unstructured outdoor play each day, and more than seven hours each day in front of an electronic screen." --National Wildlife Federation, 2012
We are proud to be approved by 1% for the Planet as a partner organization committed to creating a healthy planet. Co-created by Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard, 1% Planet members know good business means giving back to the planet...and we couldn't agree more.
