When you climb the gangway to the deck, you step away from the familiar routines of school, friends, and family, and begin your own personal voyage of discovery. Your home is a magnificent 19th century-style sailing ship, cruising the New England Coast.
You become a sailor, standing watch, tending sheets, and steering your ship with pride as she scuds along before a fresh breeze. You watch whales, seals, and dolphins in their natural habitats, and observe the ocean world through hands-on investigations led by dynamic instructors eager to share their passion for ocean stewardship.

You’ll visit historic ports along the coast and her islands, including historical sites and museums, and be submerged in maritime culture through the stories, legends, superstitions, and myths of sailing ships and the sea. The rewards are found in moonlight nights with a gentle breeze…in knowing the names of the stars… and in feeling at home in the vastness of the ocean world.

You experience this voyage with strangers who will quickly become friends – friendships born through shared adventure. You become a respected member of a close-knit community, and what you learn about yourself is the true bounty of your voyage. Welcome aboard!

Briarwood is located on the ocean, on Cape Cod. The year round marine science field station offers a summer marine science camp, including fishing, research, boating and kayaking. Briarwood also offers a sailing camp using optimists and corinthian sail boats.

Biology and Advanced Biology students go on behind-the-scenes tours of places such as the New England Aquarium, take short courses on topics such as evolution at Harvard's Museum of Natural History and conduct biology experiments. Mandarin and Advanced Mandarin Chinese students talk and write about fun-filled daily field trips to Asian and Boston attractions such as the Museum of Fine Arts and whale watches. Boston Heritage, Science, and Culture students explore top attractions in daily field trips to Boston and surrounding locales such as Plymouth and Salem. Price includes all admission fees, material and lab fees, and lunch. July 5-July 22.

Harbor Discoveries camps is a marine science camp focused on learning by discovery, exploration, and fun! Our 1 to 2 week programs have themes ranging from marine mammals, sharks, crabs, and more! One of our signature programs, Schooner Adventures, is a special program that offers marine science with a twist. After a week of preparation and terrestrial exploration, our crew of young explorers will board a Grand Banks schooner and set sail for a five-day, four-night excursion exploring Massachusetts Bay. Campers will study the rich biodiversity of Stellwagen Bank. In addition, they will take part in all the activities that keep the ship afloat, from setting the sails to steering at the helm and even some daily chores. This program is run in cooperation with the Ocean Classroom Foundation.

The Gloucester Museum School Project Adventure Summer Camp offers a unique experience for all the children involved. The open spaces of Essex County serve as a backdrop for young people to learn to appreciate and understand the natural resources of their community. In addition campers experience adventure games, problem solving, ropes course, rock climbing, hiking, dory rowing and camping as a vehicle to learn and appreciate themselves through non-competitive personal challenge.

The camp staff uses beaches and other natural and historical areas throughout Essex County in order for our campers participate in the unique activities our community has to offer. GMS draws on the estuarine environment behind Wingaersheek beach to involve participants in a variety of different physical challenges and educational activities including: adventure games and problem solving, ropes course, rock climbing, hiking, dory rowing, and camping.

The Briarwood Marine Science Program brings life to Environmental Science through the non-invasive study of the habitats, niches, and ecosystems of Cape Cod's animals and plants. The Marine and Environmental Science Programs have been designed to integrate life science, technology and mathematics frameworks through a relevant, stimulating and FUN course of study.

Campers in the Sailing Camp are taught theory, safety, and skills in boats ranging from 8 to 22 feet. A variety of open cockpit sailboats are available for beginners. The Optimist Dinghy is a small, gaff-rigged sailboat with a single mainsail, perfect for intermediates and for advanced sailors who want to sail solo for fun. The Corinthian is a 19-foot boat with a wide, deep cockpit and a small cuddy cabin. It can hold up to 4 sailors and an instructor. Corinthians have a full-lead keel that provides greater stability and are especially good for racing or sailing beyond Little Bay.

These one-week programs takes place on the shore of Little Bay in Monument Beach at a facility overlooking Toby Island and the entrance to the Cape Cod Canal.