Youth Summer | Marine Explorers

Weekly Activity Schedule

Adventure is around the corner in Oyster Bay!

"Education through recreation" is the defining feature of our Marine Explorers program as it presents exciting water-based activities set against the backdrop of Long Island's diverse ecosystems. Only in Oyster Bay can your child explore salt marshes atop kayaks, encounter wildlife in their natural habitat, and conduct experiments on a historic oyster sloop.

The curriculum for all the programming at The WaterFront Center facilitates our goal of building a community of stewards that will ensure that Oyster Bay, New York, and the surrounding ecosystems remain an available resource for generations to come.

  • Description:
    Bay Buccaneers discover and explore beach habitats and meet marine animals as they develop an awareness of the ecosystem around them. Thematic-based learning, enhanced by stories, crafts, and outdoor exploration highlights marine life and activities including seining, marine scavenger hunts, and STEM-based programs. Bay Bucs enjoy a sailing experience aboard Christeen, our historic Oyster Sloop.

    Grade Level:
    Recommended for incoming 1st and 2nd Graders

    Schedule Options:
    • AM Classes: 9:00am – 12:00pm
    • PM Classes: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
    • Full-Day Class: 9:00am - 4:00pm (Lunch period included; food not provided)

    Price:
    • $325+tax per half-day per session
    • $650+tax for full-day session (*recommended)

  • Description:
    Sound Swashbucklers explore the estuary on kayaks, engage with marine animals, and participate in fun and educational outdoor activities. STEM-based programs focusing on alternative energies, windmill blade building, and water quality round out a fun-filled week of programming and exploration. Sailing experiences include Oceanography sail on Christeen, our 1883 historic Oyster Sloop.

    Grade Level:
    Recommended for incoming 3rd and 4th Graders

    Schedule Options:
    • AM Classes: 9:00am – 12:00pm
    • PM Classes: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
    • Full-Day Class: 9:00am - 4:00pm (Lunch period included; food not provided)

    Price:
    • $325+tax per half-day per session
    • $650+tax for full-day session

    Recommend Class Pairing:
    • Opti Beginner | AM only
    • Opti: Intro To Racing | PM only
    • Adventure Sailing (Ages 8-12) | AM & PM

  • Description:
    First Mates build on their science foundation by participating in immersive STEM-based activities on Beekman Beach, Building Remote Operated Vehicles (ROV’s), and Kayaking to different locations within Oyster Bay. While on Christeen, first mates will learn about the health of the harbor and how we can keep it clean for all organisms. Dredging and use of a plankton tow will showcase two different environments within the harbor. Games and group activities foster an appreciation for the natural world all while having plenty of fun and building new skills.  

    Grade Level:
    Recommended for incoming 5th and 6th Graders

    Schedule Options:
    • AM Classes: 9:00am – 12:00pm
    • PM Classes: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
    • Full-Day Class: 9:00am - 4:00pm (Lunch period included; food not provided)

    Price:
    • $325+tax per half-day per session
    • $650+tax for full-day session

    Recommend Class Pairing:
    • Opti Beginner | AM only
    • Opti: Intro To Racing | PM only
    • Adventure Sailing (Ages 8-12) | AM & PM

  • Description:
    Skippers gain a greater understanding of the marine environment through a variety of hands-on experiments that dive into oceanography, marine chemistry, and wildlife ecology. Students discover new frontiers with underwater ROVs, paddle excursions, and research activities as they develop a comprehensive understanding of the estuary.

    Grade Level:
    Recommended for incoming 7th and 10th Graders

    Schedule Options:
    • AM Classes: 9:00am – 12:00pm
    • PM Classes: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
    • Full-Day Class: 9:00am - 4:00pm (Lunch period included; food not provided)

    Price:
    • $325+tax per half-day per session
    • $650+tax for full-day session

    Recommend Class Pairing:
    • c420 Beginner | AM only
    • c420: Intro To Racing | PM only
    • Adventure Sailing (Ages 12-17) | AM & PM

The activities for our Marine Explorers Program are themed around the

7 PRINCIPLES OF OCEAN LITERACY

THE ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES AND FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS OF OCEAN SCIENCE

Ocean literacy is an understanding of the ocean’s influence on you—and your influence on the Ocean. Our expansive curriculum introduces new topics based on the Seven Principles of Ocean Literacy each week. Developing our students' understanding of the Ocean is essential to protecting our planet and cultivating the next generation of environmental stewards.

Principle #1

The Earth has one big Ocean with many features.

Week 1: July 1 - July 5

Blue Planet

Learn about the different properties of the Ocean: The Ocean is the dominant physical feature on planet Earth and has many different properties and forms. It is an important part of the water cycle and can be connected to Earth’s water reservoirs via evaporation, precipitation, and leading into watersheds. Learn about the different densities of fresh and saltwater temperatures and densities and how they may affect everyday life. Participate in STEM activities that challenge your mind to understand how density changes with different solutions of water and how the continents were once one landmass.

Bay Buccs

• Salinity
• Density with salt water and fresh water
• Paper clip challenge
• Tides
• Watersheds

Sound Swash

• Salinity
• Paper clip challenge and density
• Temperature of water
• Water cycle and watershed

First Mates

• Density of water
• Tectonic plates
• Paper clip challenge and density
• PH
• Supercontinent
• Watersheds
• Sea level rising

Skippers

• Density
• Watersheds
• Salinity
• PH
• Currents

Principle #1

The Ocean and life in the Ocean shape the features of Earth.

Week 2: July 8 - July 12

Beaches & Coasts

Learn how the Oceans affected the Earth: Different types of materials and geochemical cycles on Earth originate in the Ocean. Learn about how sea level changes influenced continental shelves and created different surfaces on land and why our coastal areas vary in profile throughout the seasons. Discover how many different particle sizes there actually are in sand by sifting through sand. Water in motion, like the Ocean will constantly carry materials from one place to another especially in the coastal zones or areas.

Bay Buccs

• Deposition of earth materials
• Erosion of earth materials
• Marine fossils

Sound Swash

• Erosion
• Sedimentation
• Filtering sediments
• Marine fossils
• Sand formation

First Mates

• Physical weathering
• Tectonic activities
• Rock cycle
• Volcanoes

Skippers

• Beach profiles changing seasonally
• Rock cycle
• Bathymetry boxes – underwater exploration
• Sonar

Principle #3

The Ocean is a major influence on weather and climate.

Week 3: Jul 15 – Jul 19

Weather & Climate Change

Learn how the Oceans affect our environment: The Ocean has a significant influence on climate change by absorbing, storing and moving heat, carbon and water. Changes within the Ocean’s circulation have produced large, abrupt changes in climate for the last 50,000 years. Fully connect with water and its natural cycle and investigate the causes of weather patterns. See the formation of clouds with experiments and create your own 3D ones to take home! Design your own blades for wind turbines and learn about how important renewable energy sources are.

Bay Buccs

• Anemometers
• Puffy clouds
• Water cycle
• Cloud in a jar

Sound Swash

• Anemometers
• Cloud in a jar
• Puffy clouds
• Water cycle
• Sun dial/ bearings?
• El nino and la nina

First Mates

• Wind turbines
• Water cycle
• Solar still
• Sun dial/ bearings?
• El nino and la nina

Skippers

• Wind turbines
• Water cycle
• Solar still
• El nino and la nina

Principle #4

The Ocean made the Earth habitable.

Week 4: Jul 22 – Jul 26

Shapes Of Life

Learn how the Ocean made the Earth habitable: Collect plankton and then study them up close through microscopic lenses and see the animals that originated life! Explore the habitats within Oyster Bay and take samples of algae to press them and then have some art to take home with you. Learn about the first lifeforms, animals that are now extinct and how we have been able to classify them over the years.

Bay Buccs

• Animal kingdom
• Plankton, create your own
• Photosynthesis
• Plankton tow
• Algae and aquatic plants
• Algae presses

Sound Swash

• Animal kingdom
• Photosynthesis
• Algae presses
• Plankton tow – look at microscope
• Extinct animals

First Mates

• Animal kingdom
• Make your own plankton tows
• Plankton id
• Extinct animals

Skippers

• Animal kingdom
• Ocean acidification
• Make your own plankton tows
• Plankton id & bio blitz
• Extinct animals

Principle #5

The Ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.

Week 5: Jul 29 – Aug 2

Life Under The Sea

Get acquainted with marine life and their habitats: Become familiar with different types of marine animals within our bays and Oceans and estuaries. Explore our freshwater stream and what animals may live there and why that ecosystem is different than brackish waterways. Learn about our beloved horseshoe crab and how long it has been on Earth and what benefits it provides. Meet all different species of crabs found within Oyster Bay, native and invasive. Connect animals with one another and understand their diets.

Bay Buccs

• Make a fish
• Bioluminescence and craft
• Estuaries- animals found within and fiddler crabs
• Sea turtle facts and craft
• Adaptations
• Freshwater versus saltwater life – sniggling
• Whale dimension comparisons
• Horseshoe crab lesson and craft

Sound Swash

• Sea turtle species
• Adaptations
• Coral reefs
• Estuaries- animals found within and fiddler crabs
• Freshwater versus saltwater life – sniggling
• Horseshoe crab lesson and craft

First Mates

• Horseshoe lesson and craft
• Food webs
• Adaptations
• Freshwater versus saltwater life- sniggling

Skippers

• Coral bleaching
• Niches
• Zonation patterns
• Estuaries/ nurseries – create your own
• Abiotic versus biotic factors

Principle #6

The Ocean & humans are inextricably interconnected.

Week 6: Aug 5 – Aug 9

The Ocean Is Our Friend

Learn about connections between the Ocean and humans: Ever wonder how marine species play a role in our lives besides making appearances on your lunch and dinner menus? Learn how we can help with the Ocean’s health in many ways and protect our waterways as well as how our Ocean and life within it benefits humanity.

Bay Buccs

• Mimicry and camouflage
• Oysters and cleaning water
• Dam building

Sound Swash

• Oysters and cleaning water
• Horseshoe crab blood
• Renewable resources / nonrenewable resources

First Mates

• Oysters and cleaning water
• Horeshoe crab blood
• Overfishing
• Algal blooms
• Natural disasters aftermath

Skippers

• Oysters and cleaning water
• Overfishing
• Fisheries
• Ocean acidification
• Natural disasters aftermath
• Algal blooms

Principle #7

The Ocean is largely unexplored.

Week 7: Aug 12 – Aug 16

Into The Abyss

Dive deep into the Ocean’s unexplored regions: We think we know so much about the Ocean, but in reality, we only have explored less than 5 % of it. Understanding more about it isn’t only about curiosity but really understanding all life that exists beyond what we already know. Learn about old mythical creatures and create your own. Get the full scoop on how we are continually exploring the Ocean’s abyss and create your own ROVs and how to maneuver them. Challenge your friends with navigation on land using compasses and see who can complete navigation courses you created.

Bay Buccs

• Mythical sea creatures, make your own
• Find the treasure

Sound Swash

• Build own ROV and race them, collect rings
• Mythical sea creatures, make your own
• Different Ocean depths and animals you can find at them
• Compass navigation

First Mates

• Build own ROV and race them, collect rings
• Mythical sea creatures, make your own
• Different Ocean depths and animals you can find at them
• Compass navigation

Skippers

• Mythical sea creatures, make your own
• Make your own compass navigation