2024 YOUTH PROGRAMS
Scroll down to see Program offerings, cancellation policy,
and scholarship opportunities
CANCELLATION POLICY
Sometimes even our best laid plans get derailed – we get it. If you find you must cancel your registration for a class, workshop or program, please do so ASAP; we often limit the class size, and if you can’t attend, it’s possible someone else is waiting to take your place. If you cancel before the two-week out mark, you will get a full refund. If you cancel two weeks or fewer from the class/workshop/program start date, you will be credited the registration fee to use toward a future LBS class/workshop/program, less a $50 administration charge and any materials fees.
Often our classes/workshops/programs require a minimum number of participants to run. We reserve the right to cancel any class/workshop/program due to under-enrollment. We will do our best to give those that have registered a two-week notice of cancellation; of course all registrants will be refunded in full.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND ASSISTANCE
Lowell’s Boat Shop is committed to encouraging everyone to participate in our programs, and to ensuring that all feel welcome and included. We do our best to keep our pricing as reasonable as possible, but if you feel you can’t swing the registration fee for a particular class, workshop or event, please contact us and we’ll work with you to make it happen.
Jr. Apprentice Program
FIVE SESSIONS (5 afternoons each session)
Tuesday, Wednesday, OR Thursday (pick one as the day your child will attend each week)
**Please note: If schools close due to weather events, the Jr. Apprentice will not run. Kids can then come a different day of the week than the day they are normally scheduled.
See listings below for dates, details, and to register.
Jr. Apprentice Program SESSION FOUR
WHEN: February 27/ February 28/ February 29 through March 26/ March 27/ March 28
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays (pick one day a week); 3:30-5:30pm
COST: $75 per session (5 afternoons each session)
An afterschool opportunity for kids (suggested ages 10-14) who aren’t quite old enough to join our Apprentice Program to get an understanding of how the Boat Shop works. We’ll teach basic tool use, the process of boatbuilding as practiced at Lowell’s, the importance of cleaning up and putting things back where they belong, and additional skills and lessons that organically arise as Shop needs dictate. On occasion, the senior Apprentices will act as mentors and lead the session. Afterschool snacks included.
Please note that different sessions will focus on different projects according to the season. If it is warm enough to work outside, we will be outside; occasionally we will take the boats out for a row. (Rowing is a great team-building activity, and the best way to explain form and function as they apply to LBS-built boats.) The Jr. Apprentice program (like the Apprentice program) offers the opportunity to experience – in a very hands-on manner – Boat Shop culture and purpose. Our focus for each meeting will correspond to what needs doing: running planks through the planer, sanding paint off a dory, making oars, hauling boats, splicing line. Participants will come away from each session with new skills.
Jr. Apprentice Program SESSION FIVE
WHEN: April 23/ April 24/ April 25 through May 21/ May 22/ May 23
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays (pick one day a week); 3:30-5:30pm
COST: $75 per session (5 afternoons each session)
An afterschool opportunity for kids (suggested ages 10-14) who aren’t quite old enough to join our Apprentice Program to get an understanding of how the Boat Shop works. We’ll teach basic tool use, the process of boatbuilding as practiced at Lowell’s, the importance of cleaning up and putting things back where they belong, and additional skills and lessons that organically arise as Shop needs dictate. On occasion, the senior Apprentices will act as mentors and lead the session. Afterschool snacks included.
Please note that different sessions will focus on different projects according to the season. If it is warm enough to work outside, we will be outside; occasionally we will take the boats out for a row. (Rowing is a great team-building activity, and the best way to explain form and function as they apply to LBS-built boats.) The Jr. Apprentice program (like the Apprentice program) offers the opportunity to experience – in a very hands-on manner – Boat Shop culture and purpose. Our focus for each meeting will correspond to what needs doing: running planks through the planer, sanding paint off a dory, making oars, hauling boats, splicing line. Participants will come away from each session with new skills.
The Great Rowing Adventure
WHEN: June 26-29, 9AM -3PM each day except Saturday. Sleep over the night of June 28; pick up 10AM Saturday, June 29.
(**Please note this program runs Wednesday through Saturday morning.)
Suggested ages: 11 and up
Cost: LBS MEMBERS: $395 NONMEMBERS: $425
Registration price includes supper Friday night and breakfast Saturday morning.
(we will apply Member discount post registration & send notification we have done so)
Start the summer with a great adventure! Join us as we explore the Inner Passage, from Joppa Flats, under the Plum Island Bridge, and through the marsh creeks that make up Plum Island Sound. We’ll stop by the Parker River Wildlife Refuge and connect with some of the experts who will help us investigate the ecosystem and identify the plants and animals that call the marsh home. From there we’ll row to The Great Marsh Shellfish Company’s “farm” at the mouth of the Rowley River to learn about sustainable practices for growing oysters and other shellfish. We’ll check out their green crab traps and think about ways to utilize this invasive pest – if we’re feeling brave, maybe we’ll make some green crab soup! We’ll have lunchtime picnics on the beach, and stop for swims along the way.
Parents: there will be various drop off/pick up points (Joppa Flats, Parker River Wildlife Refuge, Greenbelt’s Rough Meadows site) so we can continue our journey without backtracking. Please have children wear old sneakers that tie (or something comparable – no sandals or crocs as they don’t stay on in the water/mud), and a bathing suit and/or clothing that can get wet and dirty — we’ll be getting muddy! Sleepover site TBD.
**This program is sponsored in part by The Great Marsh Shellfish Company; they have generously allowed us to visit and participate in hands-on activities at their farm to enhance our learning objectives around sustainability and the Great Marsh environment.
Woodworking Projects Session
WHEN: July 1-3, 9AM -3PM each day
Suggested ages: 9-14
Cost: LBS MEMBERS: $295 NONMEMBERS: $325
(we will apply Member discount post registration & send notification we have done so)
This session is for kids who want to brush up on their woodworking skills by constructing a project from start to finish. We’ll offer a list of possible projects, then learn proper tool use and traditional skills that LBS boatbuilders have used for generations. Come with an idea or two – but keep in mind that we may come up with a community project as well! No prior woodworking experience necessary.
In the afternoons we may take a break and row across the river for a swim off the sand bar. Participants are asked to wear close-toed shoes in the Shop, and to bring a snack, lunch, a water bottle, a bathing suit and a towel with them each day.
The Quest
WHEN: July 8-10, 9AM -3PM each day
Suggested ages: 9-14
Cost: LBS MEMBERS: $295 NONMEMBERS: $325
(we will apply Member discount post registration & send notification we have done so)
Each morning, we will receive a set of clues that will determine our course for the day as we search for a treasure hidden somewhere between Lowell’s Boat Shop and the Artichoke River. Our adventurous journey will give us a chance to brush up on our navigation knowledge and our detective skills! The treasure, should it be found, will be shared and shared alike!
Build Your Own Pond Yacht!
WHEN: July 15-19, 9AM -3PM each day except Friday. River Regatta on Friday, July 19, from 10-12. Families are welcome to bring a lunch to eat on the lawn after the race. (**Please note this program ends at noon on Friday.)
Suggested ages: 10 and up
Cost: LBS MEMBERS: $450 NONMEMBERS: $495 (registration fee includes materials)
(we will apply Member discount post registration & send notification we have done so)
Spend a week at Lowell’s Boat Shop learning traditional boatbuilding skills and build your own model sailboat! We’ll work in the Shop’s classroom to design and shape hulls, round masts and booms, paint, and then rig the boats in time for a mini-regatta on Friday morning. No prior experience or woodworking skills required. This is a great opportunity to familiarize your child with woodworking and tool use. Session fee includes materials.
In the afternoons we may take a break and row across the river for a swim off the sand bar. Participants are asked to wear close-toed shoes in the Shop, and to bring a snack, lunch, a water bottle, a bathing suit and a towel with them each day.
The Upriver Expedition
WHEN: July 22-24, 9AM -3PM each day
Suggested ages: 9-14
Cost: LBS MEMBERS: $295 NONMEMBERS: $325
(we will apply Member discount post registration & send notification we have done so)
We’ll start our rowing adventures from Lowell’s Boat Shop, and head up the Merrimack toward Indian Creek and its surrounds. As we go, we’ll learn about currents and tides, and determine the best places to land to explore the area. We’ll check out the location of Curzon’s Mill and learn about the history of Maudslay. We’ll row into Indian Creek and note the different plants and animals that inhabit the fresh water creek vs. those that thrive in the brackish water of the river. We’ll hike the trails that lead through the woods, try out the rope swing, and take a swim before rowing back to the Boat Shop.
The Green Crab Invasion
WHEN: July 29-31, 9AM -3PM each day (**Please note this program meets each morning at Joppa Flats in Newburyport, and will require pick up at the Plum Island dock on at least one afternoon.)
Suggested ages: 9-14
Cost: LBS MEMBERS: $295 NONMEMBERS: $325
(we will apply Member discount post registration & send notification we have done so)
This program is all about the invasive and voracious Green Crab. Each morning we’ll meet at the Joppa Flats Boat Ramp and spend the day exploring the marsh ecosystem, discovering the plants and animals that call the marsh home, and differentiating between native and invasive species. We’ll deploy crab traps and learn how to identify and pick the green crab out of a local crab lineup, find out what kind of habitat it likes, discover what it eats – and what will eat it! Please have children wear old sneakers that tie (or something comparable – no sandals or crocs as they don’t stay on in the water/mud), and clothing that can get wet and dirty — we’ll be getting muddy!
The Powow, Pizza, and Lake Gardner
WHEN: August 5-7, 9AM -3PM each day
Suggested ages: 9-14
Cost: LBS MEMBERS: $295 NONMEMBERS: $325
(we will apply Member discount post registration & send notification we have done so)
Join us for this exciting exploration of the Powow River, a waterway that has played an important role throughout history. We’ll row from Lowell’s Boat Shop upriver into the Powow, investigating remnants of the past still visible on the banks. One day we’ll partner with staff from the Amesbury Industrial History Center to get an in-depth look at Amesbury’s water-power history; we’ll learn about the mills and other industries that used to exist along the Powow, get an idea of how water power functioned, and practice grinding corn with a mortar and pestle as it was done before the grist mills made the process easier and more efficient. On one of the days we’ll hike into Amesbury from our landing spot and have a pizza lunch to further understand the importance of milling grains (pizza provided).And on another day we’ll hike from our landing spot to Lake Gardner to further explore the watershed and to take a dip!
Vikings on the Merrimack
WHEN: August 12-14, 9AM -3PM each day
Suggested ages: 9-14
Cost: LBS MEMBERS: $295 NONMEMBERS: $325
(we will apply Member discount post registration & send notification we have done so)
The Vikings were a seafaring people who established themselves as shipbuilders, traders, explorers and warriors. Many historians associate the name Viking with the Scandinavian term vikingr, a word for “pirate;” others believe the name was derived from the Old Norse word “vik,” meaning bay or creek. “Viking” was also used as a verb by the Scandinavian people for when the men traditionally took time out of their summers to go “a Viking.”
Join us this summer as we go “a Viking” on the Merrimack. Instead of the lightning-fast longships traditionally used for exploring and raiding the coasts, we’ll set out from Lowell’s Boat Shop in our fleet of Banks Dories and/or the Surf Dory, and row upriver to explore foreign lands. We’ll experience different aspects of Viking life, from planning raids on unsuspecting villages, to forging weaponry (from foam!) to use in battle on both land and sea, to identifying local medicinal plants and foraging for wild edibles. We’ll create our own sundial to gauge the passing of time, and use it to voyage back to the Boat Shop in time for pick-up!
**NOTE: This session will allow kids who love a good “bailer war” to splash each other to their hearts’ content, but it may not be suitable for kids who don’t enjoy that kind of activity.
Castaways – An Adventure for Kids
WHEN: August 19-21, 9AM -3PM each day
Suggested ages: 9-14
Cost: LBS MEMBERS: $295 NONMEMBERS: $325
(we will apply Member discount post registration & send notification we have done so)
What does it take to survive on an island in the middle of the mighty Merrimack? Join us on this Castaways adventure to find out! Each day we’ll row from Lowell’s Boat Shop downriver to one of the islands or High Rock, where we’ll make landfall and practice our survival skills such as shelter building, tracking animals, building fish traps, starting a fire with a draw bow, and wild edibles identification. Teamwork and the ability to think out of the box required!
We have been monitoring the Baker Administration’s COVID policy for the state of Massachusetts to be sure that our programs here at Lowell’s Boat Shop are conducted as safely as possible, and in compliance with state regulations.
Please email dorothy@lowellsboatshop.com to request a full version of our covid safety protocols.
Fall Programs at Lowell’s Boat Shop
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
for 5 weeks starting September 15
Looking for something to supplement the online/hybrid learning models that have become this year’s “back to school”? Lowell’s Boat Shop is offering six mini-classes that incorporate STEAM learning objectives through place-based, hands-on education. Classes will be held outdoors whenever possible, and will be limited to small groups of 8. Kids will have the opportunity to row our Banks dories, and will learn about safety on the water in addition to developing skills and knowledge in math, history, science, engineering and the arts.
Two classes will be offered each day – 9:00-12:00 and 12:30-3:30 (Students enrolled for both classes can stay and have their lunch at LBS)
Ages: 10-13 (some flexibility – please call); limit 8 per class
$175 LBS Members; $190 Nonmembers (per class)
TUESDAY:
9-12: Importance of Place
The Merrimack River has played a major role in the development of the communities that line its banks. We’ll investigate the river’s many uses, and how it has shaped our local towns and cities.
12:30-3:30 River Ecology
The Merrimack River’s waters change from salt to brackish to fresh as it travels inland from the ocean. We’ll explore the different ecosystems at these differing levels of salinity, and learn about the species of plants and animals that thrive – or have adapted – in each. We’ll also talk about climate change, and the special importance of the marsh ecosystem in mitigating its effects.
WEDNESDAY:
9-12: Math on the River
A modified version of our renowned high school program, this class will challenge kids to observe and record the river’s depths, currents, and tides, and how the lunar cycle affects them. Students will learn the basics of navigation, and calculate the best way to get from Point A to Point B based on the data they compile.
12:30-3:30: Riverkeepers
The Merrimack River is one of the most important on the East Coast in its conservation value to migratory fish species like river herring and sturgeon. The watershed also supports the largest tidal marsh habitat in New England, a portion of the Atlantic Flyway bird migration route, and a great number of state and federally-listed endangered species. We’ll experiment with some basic water quality testing, collect and track marine debris, and study the effects of land development along the shoreline.
THURSDAY:
9-12: LBS/Maritime History
As the oldest continuously operating Boat Shop in the country, Lowell’s Boat Shop is uniquely equipped to present a history of boatbuilding and its importance both locally and on a national level. We’ll learn about the rise and fall of the fishing industry, practice skills such as knot-tying and splicing, and parse maritime vocabulary and idioms to better understand the language of seafarers.
12:30-3:30: Design and Construction
This program will take students through the process of building a (model) boat from lofting to construction, utilizing boatbuilding math to create and scale their design. We’ll discuss hull shape, form and function, Lowell’s construction process, the characteristics of local wood species, and traditional tools and their uses. Students will build (a very basic) model boat through the course of the program.
KIDS ROWING CLUB
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 3:45-5:30
$20 per day or $60 per week
Must sign up in advance; space is limited. Suggested ages 10-16.
No rowing experience necessary. We’ll run this as long as boats are in and weather holds.
Please email dorothy@lowellsboatshop.com if you have any questions or concerns.
The Expedition – An Adventure for Kids! Session I
When: Tuesday, July 7th and Wednesday, July 8th
We’ll start our rowing adventure from Lowell’s Boat Shop, and head upriver to Maudslay State Park and its surrounds. As we go, we’ll learn to map the land from the river, chart currents and tides, and determine the best place to land. Once on shore, we’ll practice wayfinding and orienteering in the Maudslay Woods using map and compass, and record the different species of flora and fauna we encounter on our travels.
This is a two-day program, 9AM-4PM each day, appropriate for children ages 9-13. Space is limited.
Member Fee: $150
Nonmember Fee: $165
*A miminum of 4 students is required to run this class. Should there be fewer than four students Lowell’s Boat Shop reserves the right to cancel the class at any time for a full refund.
We have been monitoring the Baker Administration’s COVID policy for the state of Massachusetts to be sure that our programs here at Lowell’s Boat Shop are conducted as safely as possible, and in compliance with state regulations.
Please email dorothy@lowellsboatshop.com to request a full version of our covid safety protocols.
Fall Programs at Lowell’s Boat Shop
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
for 5 weeks starting September 15
Looking for something to supplement the online/hybrid learning models that have become this year’s “back to school”? Lowell’s Boat Shop is offering six mini-classes that incorporate STEAM learning objectives through place-based, hands-on education. Classes will be held outdoors whenever possible, and will be limited to small groups of 8. Kids will have the opportunity to row our Banks dories, and will learn about safety on the water in addition to developing skills and knowledge in math, history, science, engineering and the arts.
Two classes will be offered each day – 9:00-12:00 and 12:30-3:30 (Students enrolled for both classes can stay and have their lunch at LBS)
Ages: 10-13 (some flexibility – please call); limit 8 per class
$175 LBS Members; $190 Nonmembers (per class)
TUESDAY:
9-12: Importance of Place
The Merrimack River has played a major role in the development of the communities that line its banks. We’ll investigate the river’s many uses, and how it has shaped our local towns and cities.
12:30-3:30 River Ecology
The Merrimack River’s waters change from salt to brackish to fresh as it travels inland from the ocean. We’ll explore the different ecosystems at these differing levels of salinity, and learn about the species of plants and animals that thrive – or have adapted – in each. We’ll also talk about climate change, and the special importance of the marsh ecosystem in mitigating its effects.
WEDNESDAY:
9-12: Math on the River
A modified version of our renowned high school program, this class will challenge kids to observe and record the river’s depths, currents, and tides, and how the lunar cycle affects them. Students will learn the basics of navigation, and calculate the best way to get from Point A to Point B based on the data they compile.
12:30-3:30: Riverkeepers
The Merrimack River is one of the most important on the East Coast in its conservation value to migratory fish species like river herring and sturgeon. The watershed also supports the largest tidal marsh habitat in New England, a portion of the Atlantic Flyway bird migration route, and a great number of state and federally-listed endangered species. We’ll experiment with some basic water quality testing, collect and track marine debris, and study the effects of land development along the shoreline.
THURSDAY:
9-12: LBS/Maritime History
As the oldest continuously operating Boat Shop in the country, Lowell’s Boat Shop is uniquely equipped to present a history of boatbuilding and its importance both locally and on a national level. We’ll learn about the rise and fall of the fishing industry, practice skills such as knot-tying and splicing, and parse maritime vocabulary and idioms to better understand the language of seafarers.
12:30-3:30: Design and Construction
This program will take students through the process of building a (model) boat from lofting to construction, utilizing boatbuilding math to create and scale their design. We’ll discuss hull shape, form and function, Lowell’s construction process, the characteristics of local wood species, and traditional tools and their uses. Students will build (a very basic) model boat through the course of the program.
KIDS ROWING CLUB
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 3:45-5:30
$20 per day or $60 per week
Must sign up in advance; space is limited. Suggested ages 10-16.
No rowing experience necessary. We’ll run this as long as boats are in and weather holds.
Please email dorothy@lowellsboatshop.com if you have any questions or concerns.
The Expedition – An Adventure for Kids! Session I
When: Tuesday, July 7th and Wednesday, July 8th
We’ll start our rowing adventure from Lowell’s Boat Shop, and head upriver to Maudslay State Park and its surrounds. As we go, we’ll learn to map the land from the river, chart currents and tides, and determine the best place to land. Once on shore, we’ll practice wayfinding and orienteering in the Maudslay Woods using map and compass, and record the different species of flora and fauna we encounter on our travels.
This is a two-day program, 9AM-4PM each day, appropriate for children ages 9-13. Space is limited.
Member Fee: $150
Nonmember Fee: $165
*A miminum of 4 students is required to run this class. Should there be fewer than four students Lowell’s Boat Shop reserves the right to cancel the class at any time for a full refund.
We have been monitoring the Baker Administration’s COVID policy for the state of Massachusetts to be sure that our programs here at Lowell’s Boat Shop are conducted as safely as possible, and in compliance with state regulations.
Please email dorothy@lowellsboatshop.com to request a full version of our covid safety protocols.
Fall Programs at Lowell’s Boat Shop
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
for 5 weeks starting September 15
Looking for something to supplement the online/hybrid learning models that have become this year’s “back to school”? Lowell’s Boat Shop is offering six mini-classes that incorporate STEAM learning objectives through place-based, hands-on education. Classes will be held outdoors whenever possible, and will be limited to small groups of 8. Kids will have the opportunity to row our Banks dories, and will learn about safety on the water in addition to developing skills and knowledge in math, history, science, engineering and the arts.
Two classes will be offered each day – 9:00-12:00 and 12:30-3:30 (Students enrolled for both classes can stay and have their lunch at LBS)
Ages: 10-13 (some flexibility – please call); limit 8 per class
$175 LBS Members; $190 Nonmembers (per class)
TUESDAY:
9-12: Importance of Place
The Merrimack River has played a major role in the development of the communities that line its banks. We’ll investigate the river’s many uses, and how it has shaped our local towns and cities.
12:30-3:30 River Ecology
The Merrimack River’s waters change from salt to brackish to fresh as it travels inland from the ocean. We’ll explore the different ecosystems at these differing levels of salinity, and learn about the species of plants and animals that thrive – or have adapted – in each. We’ll also talk about climate change, and the special importance of the marsh ecosystem in mitigating its effects.
WEDNESDAY:
9-12: Math on the River
A modified version of our renowned high school program, this class will challenge kids to observe and record the river’s depths, currents, and tides, and how the lunar cycle affects them. Students will learn the basics of navigation, and calculate the best way to get from Point A to Point B based on the data they compile.
12:30-3:30: Riverkeepers
The Merrimack River is one of the most important on the East Coast in its conservation value to migratory fish species like river herring and sturgeon. The watershed also supports the largest tidal marsh habitat in New England, a portion of the Atlantic Flyway bird migration route, and a great number of state and federally-listed endangered species. We’ll experiment with some basic water quality testing, collect and track marine debris, and study the effects of land development along the shoreline.
THURSDAY:
9-12: LBS/Maritime History
As the oldest continuously operating Boat Shop in the country, Lowell’s Boat Shop is uniquely equipped to present a history of boatbuilding and its importance both locally and on a national level. We’ll learn about the rise and fall of the fishing industry, practice skills such as knot-tying and splicing, and parse maritime vocabulary and idioms to better understand the language of seafarers.
12:30-3:30: Design and Construction
This program will take students through the process of building a (model) boat from lofting to construction, utilizing boatbuilding math to create and scale their design. We’ll discuss hull shape, form and function, Lowell’s construction process, the characteristics of local wood species, and traditional tools and their uses. Students will build (a very basic) model boat through the course of the program.
KIDS ROWING CLUB
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 3:45-5:30
$20 per day or $60 per week
Must sign up in advance; space is limited. Suggested ages 10-16.
No rowing experience necessary. We’ll run this as long as boats are in and weather holds.
Please email dorothy@lowellsboatshop.com if you have any questions or concerns.
The Expedition – An Adventure for Kids! Session I
When: Tuesday, July 7th and Wednesday, July 8th
We’ll start our rowing adventure from Lowell’s Boat Shop, and head upriver to Maudslay State Park and its surrounds. As we go, we’ll learn to map the land from the river, chart currents and tides, and determine the best place to land. Once on shore, we’ll practice wayfinding and orienteering in the Maudslay Woods using map and compass, and record the different species of flora and fauna we encounter on our travels.
This is a two-day program, 9AM-4PM each day, appropriate for children ages 9-13. Space is limited.
Member Fee: $150
Nonmember Fee: $165
*A miminum of 4 students is required to run this class. Should there be fewer than four students Lowell’s Boat Shop reserves the right to cancel the class at any time for a full refund.
We have been monitoring the Baker Administration’s COVID policy for the state of Massachusetts to be sure that our programs here at Lowell’s Boat Shop are conducted as safely as possible, and in compliance with state regulations.
Please email dorothy@lowellsboatshop.com to request a full version of our covid safety protocols.
Fall Programs at Lowell’s Boat Shop
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
for 5 weeks starting September 15
Looking for something to supplement the online/hybrid learning models that have become this year’s “back to school”? Lowell’s Boat Shop is offering six mini-classes that incorporate STEAM learning objectives through place-based, hands-on education. Classes will be held outdoors whenever possible, and will be limited to small groups of 8. Kids will have the opportunity to row our Banks dories, and will learn about safety on the water in addition to developing skills and knowledge in math, history, science, engineering and the arts.
Two classes will be offered each day – 9:00-12:00 and 12:30-3:30 (Students enrolled for both classes can stay and have their lunch at LBS)
Ages: 10-13 (some flexibility – please call); limit 8 per class
$175 LBS Members; $190 Nonmembers (per class)
TUESDAY:
9-12: Importance of Place
The Merrimack River has played a major role in the development of the communities that line its banks. We’ll investigate the river’s many uses, and how it has shaped our local towns and cities.
12:30-3:30 River Ecology
The Merrimack River’s waters change from salt to brackish to fresh as it travels inland from the ocean. We’ll explore the different ecosystems at these differing levels of salinity, and learn about the species of plants and animals that thrive – or have adapted – in each. We’ll also talk about climate change, and the special importance of the marsh ecosystem in mitigating its effects.
WEDNESDAY:
9-12: Math on the River
A modified version of our renowned high school program, this class will challenge kids to observe and record the river’s depths, currents, and tides, and how the lunar cycle affects them. Students will learn the basics of navigation, and calculate the best way to get from Point A to Point B based on the data they compile.
12:30-3:30: Riverkeepers
The Merrimack River is one of the most important on the East Coast in its conservation value to migratory fish species like river herring and sturgeon. The watershed also supports the largest tidal marsh habitat in New England, a portion of the Atlantic Flyway bird migration route, and a great number of state and federally-listed endangered species. We’ll experiment with some basic water quality testing, collect and track marine debris, and study the effects of land development along the shoreline.
THURSDAY:
9-12: LBS/Maritime History
As the oldest continuously operating Boat Shop in the country, Lowell’s Boat Shop is uniquely equipped to present a history of boatbuilding and its importance both locally and on a national level. We’ll learn about the rise and fall of the fishing industry, practice skills such as knot-tying and splicing, and parse maritime vocabulary and idioms to better understand the language of seafarers.
12:30-3:30: Design and Construction
This program will take students through the process of building a (model) boat from lofting to construction, utilizing boatbuilding math to create and scale their design. We’ll discuss hull shape, form and function, Lowell’s construction process, the characteristics of local wood species, and traditional tools and their uses. Students will build (a very basic) model boat through the course of the program.
KIDS ROWING CLUB
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 3:45-5:30
$20 per day or $60 per week
Must sign up in advance; space is limited. Suggested ages 10-16.
No rowing experience necessary. We’ll run this as long as boats are in and weather holds.
Please email dorothy@lowellsboatshop.com if you have any questions or concerns.
The Expedition – An Adventure for Kids! Session I
When: Tuesday, July 7th and Wednesday, July 8th
We’ll start our rowing adventure from Lowell’s Boat Shop, and head upriver to Maudslay State Park and its surrounds. As we go, we’ll learn to map the land from the river, chart currents and tides, and determine the best place to land. Once on shore, we’ll practice wayfinding and orienteering in the Maudslay Woods using map and compass, and record the different species of flora and fauna we encounter on our travels.
This is a two-day program, 9AM-4PM each day, appropriate for children ages 9-13. Space is limited.
Member Fee: $150
Nonmember Fee: $165
*A miminum of 4 students is required to run this class. Should there be fewer than four students Lowell’s Boat Shop reserves the right to cancel the class at any time for a full refund.
Build Your Own Pond Yacht!
WHEN: Monday, July 13 through Friday, July 17 from 9am-2pm; River Regatta on Saturday, July 18 from 10-11am
Spend a week at Lowell’s Boat Shop learning traditional boat building skills by building your own model sailboat! We’ll work in the shop’s classroom to design and shape hulls, round masts and booms, paint, and then rig the boats in time for a mini regatta on the Merrimack River. No proir experience or woodworking skills required. This is a great opportunity to familiarize your child with woodworking and tool use. Session fee includes materials.
Recommended for ages 10 and up. Students are asked to wear close-toed shoes and bring a snack, lunch, and water bottle with them each day.
The Expedition – An Adventure for Kids! Session II
When: Tuesday, July 21st and Wednesday, July 22nd.
We’ll start our rowing adventure from Lowell’s Boat Shop, and head up the Merrimack to the Powow River and its surrounds. As we go, we’ll learn to map the land from the river, chart currents and tides, and determine the best place to land. Once on shore, we’ll practice wayfinding and orienteering using map and compass, and record the different species of flora and fauna we encounter. On Day 2, we’ll row further upriver to Indian Creek and explore the trails and woods along the banks — and compare what we find there to what lives along the Powow.
This is a two-day program, 9AM-4PM each day, appropriate for children ages 9-13. Space is limited.
Member Fee: $150
Nonmember Fee: $165
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RiverKeepers
A program for conservation-minded kids who want to make a difference!
When: Thursdays (July 23 and 30; August 6 and 13) from 9am-4pm
LBS Members: $105 per session / $400 for all four weeks
Nonmembers: $115 per session / $440 for all four weeks
*Please call LBS to take advantage of 4-session discount
The Merrimack River is one of the most important rivers on the East Coast in its conservation value to migratory fish species like river herring and sturgeon. The watershed also supports the largest tidal marsh habitat in New England, a portion of the Atlantic Flyway bird migration route, and a great number of state and federally-listed endangered species. Join us on Thursdays as we explore the river in rowboats, and take an active role in monitoring and preserving its health. We’ll do some water quality testing, collect and track marine debris, and study the species that rely on the river for their survival.
Appropriate for children ages 9-16. Space is limited.
Castaways – An Adventure for Kids!
WHEN: July 28 & 29
What does it take to survive on an island in the middle of the mighty Merrimack? Join us on this Castaways adventure to find out! Each day we’ll row from Lowell’s Boat Shop downriver to High Rock, where we’ll make landfall and practice our survival skills such as shelter building, tracking, and wild edibles identification. Teamwork and the ability to think out of the box required!
This is a two-day program, 9AM-4PM each day, appropriate for children ages 9-13. Space is limited.
Member Fee: $150
Nonmember Fee: $165
Afternoons at the Boat Shop
WHEN: Thursday and Friday from 1-4PM
July 9-10; July 23-24; July 30-31; August 6-7; August 13-14
These afternoon sessions introduce kids to the history of Lowell’s Boat Shop and the boatbuilding process as practiced for centuries by the Lowell family at the Shop. Projects and activities will incorporate a number of learning objectives – the proper way to use hand tools; identifying the properties of different wood species; form as it relates to function; and the skills of organization, numbers sense, mental math, and fractions. The best part is that all of this education is delivered through hands-on practice, with the goal of having fun! No prior experience or woodworking skills required. This is a great opportunity to familiarize your child with woodworking and tool use. Session fee includes materials.
You can register for single workshop sessions, or get a $25 discount when you register for all six. Each day offers a different experience with something new to learn.
Recommended for ages 10 and up (there is some flexibility). Students are asked to wear close-toed shoes and bring a snack and a water bottle with them each day.
M = $95 per session**; $450 for all 5 ($25 discount)
NM = $105 per session**; $500 for all 5 ($25 discount)
**Each session is a consecutive Thursday and Friday
Seafaring and Sail Training for Teens I
August 3-8, 2020: Seafaring and Sail Training for Teens
This sail training voyage — a collaboration between Lowell’s Boat Shop, Maritime Gloucester, Tall Ships Maine and Ocean Passages — offers teens the adventure of a lifetime! We’ll spend a week aboard the schooner Harvey Gamage, working side-by-side with a professional crew to learn seamanship, sail handling, and leadership. Graham McKay of Lowell’s Boat Shop will Captain the vessel for our trip; he is fully USCG licensed and has decades of experience sailing tall ships and leading onboard educational programs. The itinerary will be dictated by the weather, but may include a visit to Hurricane Island, a day on Stellwagen bank watching whales and learning about the fisheries, and an overnight passage to explore some of Maine’s more remote islands before sailing to Newburyport, MA on Friday.
The hands-on nature of this distinctive program encourages independence and a sense of achievement that increases levels of self-confidence and self-esteem. A week at sea offers the perfect opportunity for kids to unplug and truly engage with the world around them!
**This program is academically accredited by Falmouth (Maine) High School. Participants receive a letter of elective credit which should be valid as a transfer credit on their high school transcript.
Space is limited. Please call 978-834-0050 or email dorothy@lowellsboatshop.com if you have questions.
Program Dates & Rates
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Board Monday, August 3, 2020 at 4PM in Portland, ME
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Disembark Saturday August 8, 2020 at 11AM in Newburyport, MA
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Fee of $1,200 includes 3 meals per day, fuel, crew, docking fees, etc. Non-refundable deposit of $500 is due at registration; balance due June 1. A limited number of scholarships are available.
The Powwow Excursion
August 4th and 5th.
Join us for this exploration of the Powwow River, a tributary of the Merrimack that originates in Danville, NH, and courses 22 miles before flowing through the center of Amesbury. We’ll row from Lowell’s Boat Shop to where the Powwow meets the Merrimack, and travel upriver as far as the depths allow. As we row, we’ll observe the differences between the two bodies of water, and the plants and animals that are supported by the ecosystems we encounter. If time and tide allow, we’ll find a good spot to beach the boats and visit downtown Amesbury for pizza from Flatbreads or an ice cream treat!
Member Fee: $150
Nonmember Fee: $165
This is a two-day program, 9AM-4PM each day, appropriate for children ages 9-16. Space is limited.
Seafaring and Sail Training for Teens II
August 10-15, 2020: Seafaring and Sail Training for Teens
This sail training voyage — a collaboration between Lowell’s Boat Shop, Maritime Gloucester, Tall Ships Maine and Ocean Passages — offers teens the adventure of a lifetime! We’ll spend a week aboard the schooner Harvey Gamage, working side-by-side with a professional crew to learn seamanship, sail handling, and leadership. Graham McKay of Lowell’s Boat Shop will Captain the vessel for our trip; he is fully USCG licensed and has decades of experience sailing tall ships and leading onboard educational programs. The itinerary will be dictated by the weather, but may include a visit to Hurricane Island, a day on Stellwagen bank watching whales and learning about the fisheries, and an overnight passage to explore some of Maine’s more remote islands before sailing to Portland, ME on Friday.
The hands-on nature of this distinctive program encourages independence and a sense of achievement that increases levels of self-confidence and self-esteem. A week at sea offers the perfect opportunity for kids to unplug and truly engage with the world around them!
**This program is academically accredited by Falmouth (Maine) High School. Participants receive a letter of elective credit which should be valid as a transfer credit on their high school transcript.
Space is limited. Please call 978-834-0050 or email dorothy@lowellsboatshop.com if you have questions.
Program Dates & Rates
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Board Monday, August 10, 2020 at 4PM in Newburyport, MA
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Disembark Saturday August 15, 2020 at 11AM in Portland, ME
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Fee of $1,200 includes 3 meals per day, fuel, crew, docking fees, etc. Non-refundable deposit of $500 is due at registration; balance due May 1. A limited number of scholarships are available.
Stay tuned for more programming….we are working on it!
Castaways II – an Adventure for Kids!
August 11-12
This second Castaways session builds on Castaways I, and offers the opportunity to learn new skills such as orienteering, navigating, forecasting the weather, building a fresh water still, knot-tying, and lashing. Each day we’ll row from Lowell’s Boat Shop downriver to High Rock or another nearby island, where we’ll make landfall and practice the new skills we’re learning.
This is a two-day program, 9AM-4PM each day, appropriate for children ages 9-13. Space is limited.
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