Ages 9-12

“Our kids LOVED their BOAT CAMP experience – I think this is the best program in the greater Newburyport area.  So unique and offers an incredible experience.  Extremely well-staffed with enthusiastic and capable counselors.  Hope to do this camp for years.” –parent

Our week-long program runs Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 4 p.m. and costs $475

2013 program weeks with Plum Island’s Captain’s Lady boats

June 24-28
July 8-12
July 15-19
July 22-26
July 29-August 2

2013 program weeks aboard the Erica Lee with Capt. Rob

July 8-12
July 15-19
July 22-26
July 29-August 2
August 5-9
August 12-16

 

Our week long programs aboard the Erica Lee (departing from Newburyport)and the Captain’s Lady boats (departing from Plum Island Point)explores the coastal ecology of Ipswich Bay and the Gulf of Maine through a variety of fun daily activities, all of which are decided upon the day’s best weather predictions and conducted according observed weather, tide and sea states. Above all else, we focus on keeping kids warm (or cool!), safe and happy. We utilize both the Erica Lee, Captain’s Lady or Captain George, field sites ashore and BOAT CAMP’s education center to make the best of New England’s changeable weather in order for kids to experience a fun, positive boat-based summer program.

Our waterfront inside facility is excellent in inclement weather and unfavorable sea conditions, with a multimedia system, 110-gallon saltwater touch tank, and plenty of room to learn, explore and enjoy our maritime community. We do not stay at sea when the weather turns against us.

During the week, we will haul lobster traps, tow an otter trawl to collect and examine sea life on the ocean bottom, fish for a number of sustainable species using a variety of traditional New England methods, explore tidepools and beaches, tell stories and go swimming. Capt. Rob usually buys everyone an ice cream mid-week, and serves up grilled lunch at the beach on Fridays!

Field conversations include relevant, age-appropriate topics in marine biology, coastal ecology, oceanography, conservation, maritime history,  navigation and knot-tying.

In addition, kids aged 12 and older also participate in a safe-boating and navigation class; successful completion results in a Mass. State Safe Boating Certificate issued by the Mass. Environmental Police.

Our crew to child ratio is always at least 6:1, usually 4:1. All of our college-aged crew and teenage CITs have spent at least five summers aboard the Erica Lee and are majoring in either biology, environmental science or the maritime trades. Among the adult educators onboard, there is always at least one certified, working public school teacher (often there are two or even three), each with graduate degrees in marine and science education.

The structure of our days and evolution of our activities is founded on an educational platform that respects and understands a variety of learning styles. No prior boating experience is expected or required.

We are excited to expand our June and July 2012 offerings with BOAT CAMP instructors and crew onboard the Captain’s Lady boats. We’ll do plenty of fishing, swimming, and exploring our home waters of the Gulf of Maine in new and interesting ways, including a new look at the Isles of Shoals as seen from a visit to Star Island! While this is a new addition to our fleet and a new offering, the Plum Island fleet are great boats that have a long history in our home waters. Each week’s program will be run by BOAT CAMP’s team of excellent educators and staff.

We are honored to host the Sean Cone Memorial Scholarship each summer. Nominations are due March 15, 2013.

You can read more about this scholarship in the Newburyport Current’s recent story, Parent’s love honors lost son through BOAT CAMP.

View VIDEOS and PHOTOS from 2012 on our Facebook Page Here!