Kids & Teens
We love kids! Our summer programs follow a spiraling curriculum that encourages kids, as they grow older, to get to know the sea in a more in-depth way. Our River Runners program starts at 5 years old. Here we explore the concept of water movement by investigating where we find water in our community, how it got there and what role the Merrimack River plays in our daily lives. The week’s discovery culminates in a two-hour boat ride along the Merrimack River.
At age 7, kids enrolled in our Young Scientists Program build upon what they know about the water cycle and watersheds and explore the concept of an estuary. We spend a good part of each morning on a boat exploring parts of the Merrimack River Estuary as we learning about the Merrimack River’s importance, ecosystems and history. This half-day program is a great introduction to the older, all-day program held aboard the Erica Lee.
Kids ages 9 and older are welcome to participate in the full-day program held aboard the Erica Lee. Here we spend much of our time at sea exploring the diverse ecology and marine biology of New England. The week’s activities include fishing, whale watching, tidepooling, and exploring the Isles of Shoals and Ipswich Bay.
Teens and high school students are especially welcome aboard teen-only weeks. Newburyport High School students may receive academic credit for participating in our “Field Marine Biology of the Gulf of Maine” course; high school seniors may opt for two undergraduate credits from Endicott College.
On Sundays, June through August, families are welcome on our “Critter Cruises.” Kids older than 9 may be dropped-off; kids ages 6 to 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
