Camping not in tents, but on the sea! Ocean Classroom Foundation’s summer camp programs offer nautical, maritime, historic and oceanic adventures for middle school, high school and college students.

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

by Christina DiMartino

If you are parenting children who have aspirations of sailing the seven seas, are intrigued with the ocean and its creatures, or are interested in oceanic or sailing history or environmental preservation, Ocean Classroom Foundation’s summer camp programs may be just the thing.

Alyson Graham is the education director for the Ocean Classroom Foundation, headquartered in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. She told Parent USA City that the numerous programs offered by the organization are designed to accommodate students from age 13 to high school and college students.

“Ocean Classroom Foundation is committed to sending students and their teachers to sea on voyages in which the traditions, values and adventure of maritime life provide a unique context for education,” says Graham. “We strive to create programs aboard our ships that enable students to grow stronger and more confident socially, intellectually, ethically and physically, and to ultimately take their places among the generations of exceptional men and women who have been transformed by seafaring life.”

Camp and specialty programs

•  Discovery High School Semester is a complete spring semester at sea for high school sophomores, juniors, seniors and post-graduates. It explores the Western North Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea aboard the schooners Harvey Gamage, Spirit of Massachusetts and Westward. The program is accredited by Proctor Academy in Andover, New Hampshire.

•  SEAmester is a challenging and rewarding college semester at sea. Each spring and fall, 21 students are immersed in the traditions of the sea, working with the ship’s professional crew to learn the time-honored arts and skills of a seafarer. Students can earn 12 college credits in marine science and in the humanities from the University of Maine. The campus ranges from coral reefs on the flanks of tropical volcanic islands to Spanish colonial forts.

•  Seafaring Camp is a one- or two-week adventure for middle and high school students. It explores the marine environment of coastal New England and the Western North Atlantic to learn about the sea’s rich diversity of life, history and lore. Students observe whales in their natural habitat, collect plankton, visit historic sites and museums, and share sea songs and stories.

•  Horizon Gap is a dynamic six-week tall-ship voyage covering nearly 3,000 miles along the eastern seaboard, with stopovers throughout the Western Atlantic and Caribbean Sea. This multi-faceted adventure at sea is for high school graduates and college undergraduates. It encourages inner discoveries through outward explorations.

“Ocean Classroom Foundation also works with a variety of schools, youth groups, museums, and community organizations from across North America to develop custom programs,” says Graham. “We work closely with each institutional partner to design a unique sailing itinerary and curriculum to accommodate their particular educational needs and objectives.” 

Something for everyone

Students with all kinds of interests attend Ocean Classroom Foundation’s programs—not just those with specific interests in ocean science or sailing.

“The programs are a wonderful way for kids to learn about history in general,” says Graham. “But it’s inevitable that they also walk away with in-depth knowledge of the sea and its creatures, as well as about the technicalities involved in sailing a ship. They have to work together, so it is also a great opportunity to enhance their teamwork skills.”

Although the ships all have modern technology on board, kids also learn the traditional skills of sailing.

Bunking it

Ocean Classroom Foundation offers one-week programs for approximately $1,300. The two-week programs, reserved for older kids, cost about $2,600. Average sessions have from 20 to 24 kids.

Room and board is included in the programs. Kids sleep bunk-style on the ship, with boys and girls separated in designated areas.

“It’s all very traditional ‘boat-style’ living,” says Graham. “Kids take bucket baths with saltwater or they can shower in the marina facilities. There’s no television on board, and we confiscate their cell phones and iPads, but they do get to use them periodically. Each kid shares a living space with one bunkmate.”

Crews include an on-board cook, ship’s captain, a crew member and camp counselor, who is a certified teacher, and a designated medical officer.

A diversified venue

Kids who attend Ocean Classroom Foundation programs also enjoy many on-shore adventures. Graham says as examples, they visit the Acadia National Park, the Isle of Shoals and engage in shark dissections.

“We do a lot of other fun camp stuff,” she adds. “The kids learn about maritime history, about pirates that sailed the Northeastern waters, take classes on whaling and much more.”

 

Christina DiMartino has been a freelance and assignment writer since 1985. She is a researcher, interviewer, writer, editor, and manuscript collaborator with a repertoire of clients from around the world.

Photos courtesy of Ocean Classroom Foundation