Aquaculture Pioneers Camp

On May 17 and 18 the Boothbay Sea and Science Center (BSSC) hosted an Aquaculture Pioneers program for 12 Maine Career Catalyst interns who will be working on Maine aquaculture farms this summer. During their time at BSSC Robert Chance (BSSC Principal Waterfront Instructor), Harry Dudley (BSSC Volunteer), and Jacob Allison (BSSC Sailing and Science Instructor) taught the interns basic knot tying and boat handling skills. Additionally the interns toured the Pemaquid Oyster Company and Mook Sea Farms and heard from speakers that included Sebastian Belle and Christian Brayden of the Maine Aquaculture Association, Emily Whitmore of the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center, Dana Morse from Maine Sea Grant and University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Max Burtis of Ferda Farms.

From our parents

You were the best organized communicators of the three camps she went to last summer – thank you! She loved the data collecting and science portions, that felt really unique to your program.

KSL

BSSC’s thematic programming is one of its strongest components. All three of our campers (ages 5, 8, 13) were enthused by the topics and methods of exploration. They came home curious and eager to learn more ocean science related concepts.

I value the balance between time on the water and the educational component adding to their overall respect/perspective. The Olympics were also a huge hit this year!! A great balance between skills, education and good old fashioned summer camp fun!

We loved the overnight on the Schooner Tyrone. Anytime this is a possibility, please make it available for the kids. It was such a wonderful opportunity. The highlight of the summer!

Our child was super excited about the seaweed identification and that knowledge really presented when we kayaked out to spectacle island to camp and encountered many different types of seaweed. She loves the camp! Everything. One noticeable difference was that our child was able to identify the different types of seaweed on the coast and in the water while we went out kayaking.

My daughter enjoys BSSC very much. She likes swimming and especially science. She likes getting “jobs” on the boat. She really enjoyed this week’s movie about the 16 year old who sallied the world by herself.

Everything is fantastic! We really appreciate this stellar program and thank you for providing such wonderful enrichment and a unique experience for the students. Eleanor has been anticipating this program for months- having the time of her life.