About The Program
The Harbor Explorers Program is our program for students age 6 through 9. Each full day session runs from 9 AM to 4 PM. The program enrollment cost varies based on family income and geographic location. A typical day for a Harbor Explorer includes games, crafts, a lesson, and time on the dock for our on-the-water activities. Check out some of our program’s activities below!
On The Water
Every day, students can choose from several activities on the water, such as:
- Fishing – Learn about the marine life that can be found in Boston Harbor. Flounder, skates, and even striped bass have been caught right off of our dock!
- Crabbing – Pull up some crab traps, learn how to hold a crab, and race crabs across the dock.
- Kayaking and Paddleboarding – Tour the Piers Park cove on one of our kayaks (or a giant paddleboard)! Hunting for hermit crabs and periwinkles in the rocks, exploring the intertidal zone, and kayak racing are some of our most popular activities.
- Sailing – Learn the basics of sailing, or just come along for a boat ride! Every student will have an opportunity to take the helm of one of our Sonars.
Off The Water
Before heading down to the dock, each morning starts with a group game, lesson, and art activity. These lessons help to introduce students to topics that will be covered as they progress into our Science of Sailing program. Topics include:
- Ocean Science
- What types of organisms live in the harbor?
- The intertidal zone
- Ocean zones
- Tides and Waves
- Environmental Science
- Climate change
- Overfishing / protecting marine ecosystems
- Recycling
- The Basics of Sailing
- Parts of a sailboat
- Buoyancy
- Safety on the water
- Navigation
- History of Boston Harbor & East Boston
