The Boothbay Sea and Science Center (BSSC) recently concluded a successful summer program bringing together youth, community partners, and regional mentors for nine weeks of hands-on sea and science education.

The season kicked off with a two-week staff orientation from June 1 to June 12, preparing an instructor team that included 26 sailing and marine science apprentices, junior instructors, and senior instructors. Staff hailed from local New England high schools and colleges including the University of New England (UNE), Maine Maritime Academy (MMA), and Barnard College, as well as a teacher from Colorado and a professor from Canada.

Throughout the nine-week program (June 15 – Aug. 14), 213 participants attended for a combined total of 502 program weeks. Youth engaged in ocean stewardship and hands-on topics ranging from climate change, marine debris, and fisheries to animal adaptation, Maine maritime history, and local bird life.

Activities extended beyond daily instruction to include weekly clubs—such as fishing, gardening, chess, survival techniques, and French—as well as field trips to the Maine State Aquarium, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, Bowdoin College Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum and Schiller Coastal Studies Center, Samples Shipyard, Sherman Brewer Sail Loft, and the Boothbay Region Transfer Station. A dedicated group of 28 parent drivers assisted with transportation.

Guest speakers enriched the curriculum, including Craig Condon (Darling Marine Center), Dr. Patricia Phillips, Michael Wherley (parent, 3-time World Champion and 2-time Olympian rower), Muriel Curtis (Executive Director, Station Maine), and Jen Betts (Children’s Coordinator, Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library).

Community engagement remained central to the summer’s success:

• Family Connections: Friday Family Cookouts brought participants together, averaging 90 burgers and 64 hot dogs weekly.

• Special Events: The BSSC Olympics tested skills in rope tossing, knot tying, navigation, and team relays. BSSC also hosted a Business After Hours event, welcoming 22 local business representatives.

• Paddlepalooza Fundraiser: This first annual event honored the dedication and the countless hours that Dr. Paul Taylor and his wife Sue Taylor have given BSSC. Featuring 28 boats, the event raised $2,475.00 for the Center’s Financial Assistance Program. Major sponsors included Katharine Horgan, J. Edward Knight Insurance, Janson’s Clothing Store, Anonymous Donor, Bath Savings Institution, E M Wood Construction, with additional support received from BRTV and Hodgdon Yachts.

• Higher Education Partnerships: BSSC hosted a UNE Sustainability Fellow for 10 weeks to research educational impacts and the development of supporting middle and high school curriculum. Additionally, this week 12 Bowdoin College students (includes 10 first-year students) will participate in a three-day visit featuring community service (painting BSSC staff residences), an introduction to navigation and safe boating by Alex Weiss, tours of Sample’s Shipyard, Boothbay Harbor, and nearby islands, sailing, and kayaking on Linekin Bay.