Robert (RC) Chance
St. Mary’s College
Principal Waterfront Instructor
RC is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. He began sailing while he was a student at St. Mary’s College. Having fallen in love with the sport he spent each summer teaching sailing on the Chesapeake Bay for local NPO’s that served at risk youth from Baltimore City. After college RC went into the private sector in finance. When he moved to Maine, with his wife and dogs, in 2022, he decided to reconnect with his passion for instructing kids in sailing by serving as a sailing instructor for BSSC. “I didn’t grow up sailing, and I know that if I had been introduced to it earlier it would have been a very meaningful experience for me. That’s why I am so passionate about connecting kids to sailing.” He is looking forward to his fourth Summer at BSSC!
Chelsea O’Connell-Barlow
Clemson University
Principal Marine Science Instructor
Chelsea is very excited to be returning to BSSC for a second summer. She is a teacher and scientist who has been teaching middle school for 18 years in Atlanta, GA, Portland, ME and now Brunswick, ME. She loves opening student’s minds to the natural world and building their passion for all there is to appreciate and experience in nature. She is also an avid reader, lover of low-stakes high laughter games, and the #1 fan of Fergus the dog. She appreciates being a part of the dynamic BSSC community and encouraging kids to love science and sailing.
Caroline Snell
Washington University
Sailing Instructor
Caroline Snell is a rising sophomore at Washington University in St. Louis, majoring in Chemical Engineering. “I am thrilled to be returning to BSSC for my 5th summer as a Sailing Instructor and can’t wait to continue teaching some past campers and meet new ones!” Caroline is also excited to continue the underwater ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) program with the campers this summer. In her free time, she enjoys baking, playing with her dog, listening to music, and going to the gym.
Owen Foley
Greenwich High School
Sailing Instructor
My name is Owen Foley and I am a senior at East Greenwich High School. In my free time I enjoy competitive 420 sailing, running, working out, and hiking. This will be my 5th summer at BSSC, and I am ecstatic to have a great summer with BSSC’s campers and staff!
Anna Foye
Maine Maritime Academy
Science Instructor
Anna is returning to Boothbay Sea and Science Center once again after an incredibly rewarding experience. Through this, she developed her skills in lesson planning, hands-on teaching, and sharing scientific knowledge with youth through artistic mediums. Anna looks forward to building on these experiences and contributing to the growth and success of BSSC this season.
Reese Meehan
University of New England
Science Instructor
HI! My name is Reese Meehan, and I am heading into my junior year in the marine science program at the University of New England. I grew up in New Hampshire and in my free time I enjoy surfing, reading, and going to the gym. I am so excited to join BSSC this summer and I cannot wait to share my knowledge and inspire others to love the ocean.
Annabella Lafond
University of New England
Science Instructor
Hello! I’m Annabella Lafond, a rising junior at the University of New England majoring in Oceanography and Environmental Science. I’m passionate about marine conservation, outdoor education, and sharing my love for the ocean with others. I’ve worked with several marine conservation organizations, and through those experiences, I’ve discovered how much I enjoy engaging children in hands-on, nature-based learning. I’m so excited to spend the summer exploring, learning, and growing with the Boothbay Sea and Science Center!
Hannah Kauffman
University of Maine
Science Instructor
My name is Hannah Kauffman and I am super excited to join the BSSC community this summer! I am a recent graduate of the University of Maine where I received a bachelor’s degree in marine sciences. During the school year, I am a substitute teacher in Prince William County Public Schools in Virginia, where I reside with my family and my cat. I love everything science-from gardening, kayaking, doing experiments in the lab, and making art. I can’t wait to do science and get on the water with you!
George Urquhart
University of New England
Science Instructor
Hi, I’m George Urquhart, I’m a marine science student at the University of New England. I have a lot of love for the ocean and the creatures that live within its waters. I’m here at BSSC in order to help students understand what a treasure the ocean is and why it’s important we protect it!
Amelia Lang
Barnard College
Science Instructor
Amelia is a recent graduate of Barnard College and considers herself a scientist, explorer, and artist. She is so excited to learn from Maine’s marine ecosystem and build connections to the environment with students. Amelia loves many things, but some of her favorites are baking banana bread, printmaking, her home state of Kansas, and walking on the beach!
Aria Yuengling
University of New England
Science Instructor
Hi! I’m Aria Yuengling, a rising senior majoring in marine biology with a minor in education. Despite growing up in landlocked VT, I’ve always been fascinated by the ocean! At UNE, I’ve studied all sorts of marine organisms hands-on in the lab and in the field. I’m also passionate about marine conservation and the arts. I’m so excited to teach you all about the oceans!
Gabrielle Walsh
Southern Maine Community College
Science & Sailing Instructor
Hi everyone! I’m Gabrielle, a Marine Science student at SMCC. I chose to work at Boothbay Sea and Science Center this summer because I am passionate about educating the youth on the importance of our environment. I believe the best way to do that is to make learning fun. There are so many incredible programs offered at this organization and after hearing about all of them at a job fair, I just had to apply!
Clarissa (Clare) Long
Mount Holyoke College
Science & Sailing Instructor
Hello! My name is Clare and I am a senior at Mount Holyoke College, Majoring in Biology, with a minor in Gender Studies. I have been sailing since I was 11 and started teaching a few years after through a Girl Scout program on the Gulf Coast (Seabrook TX). I’ve had an interest in science and a love for the water my whole life. When not on the water I love to play games, read, draw, and bullet journaling. I can’t wait for this summer at BSSC, and I’m so excited to share the knowledge I am given!
Rose Campbell
Boothbay Region High School
Junior Sailing Instructor/Sailing Assistant
My name is Rose Campbell and I am a rising Senior at Boothbay Region High School. I play field hockey in the fall and enjoy competing on the BRHS indoor track team in the winter and outdoor track in the spring. I love being outdoors in the sun on the water and have been a part of the BSSC family since 2017. When I am not on the water in the summer, I can be found hiking and biking the trails with my Dad. I am returning this summer to BSSC to share in all the new adventures that the 2025 summer will be sure to bring!
Luca Fiore
Harriton High School
Junior Sailing Instructor/Sailing Assistant
Hi, I’m Luca, and I’m excited to be coming back to BSSC this year! I love spending time on the waterfront and teaching kids about boats. As a former camper I’m glad to have this opportunity to teach kids just like I was taught and I’m happy to be part of the BSSC community again this year.
Moriah Smith
Boothbay Region High School
Junior Sailing Instructor/Sailing Assistant
Hello! My name is Moriah, I am a rising sophomore at Boothbay Region High School. Growing up in Maine has fostered in me a great love for the outdoors, especially in relation to the ocean and its inhabitants. In addition, I enjoy playing sports such as field hockey and track. I am also an avid reader who loves to sit down with a good book. This is my second year at BSSC, and I am so excited to see all the familiar and new faces among our campers this year!
Zuriel (Zuri) Smith
Boothbay Region High School
Junior Sailing Instructor/Sailing Assistant
Hello, my name is Zuri and I will be a sophomore this fall at Boothbay Region High School where I thoroughly enjoy all of my classes. I love spending time outdoors and sailing, as well as working with children, creating art, playing the viola, and participating in multiple sports including field hockey and track and field. I really enjoyed apprenticing at BSSC last year which is why I am so excited to be working here again this year!
Beckett Birmingham
Arlington High School
Junior Sailing Instructor/Sailing Assistant
Hello! My name is Beckett and I am a student at Arlington High School in Massachusetts. I am returning this summer as a Junior Sailing instructor. One of my favorite things about being at BSSC is the setting of the Center and I enjoy sharing my love of sailing with others.
Elijah Smith
Boothbay Region High School
Junior Sailing & Science Instructor/Sailing Assistant
Hi, I am Elijah Smith, a rising sophomore at Boothbay Region High School, where I especially enjoy studying science and history. This summer will be my first year as a Junior Instructor, but I have enjoyed many summers as a camper at BSSC and was an apprentice instructor last year. I am excited to be able to share my love for both sailing and the ocean and its inhabitants with all the campers at BSSC this summer.
Ciara Rush
Ursaline Academy
Sailing Apprentice
Hello! My name is Ciara. I am a rising freshman at Ursuline Academy. I love spending my summers in Boothbay, sailing and being by the water. When I am not by the water I love baking, reading, drawing, listening to music, or playing guitar. I am looking forward to be working at BSSC this summer.
Jacqueline (Jackie) Branch
Center for Teaching and Learning
Sailing & Science Apprentice
Jackie is going into eighth grade at the Center for Teaching and Learning in Edgecomb. She loves sailing and spending time on the water with friends and family. Her other interests include swimming for the local swim team, lobstering, and writing poems about the Maine outdoors. After 8 years as a participant in the Boothbay Sea and Science program, Jackie looks forward to returning this year as an apprentice. “BSSC has always been a home to me, and I am so excited to become an instructor! I can’t wait for the summer!”
Avery Thompson
Middlebury Union High School
Sailing & Science Apprentice
My name is Avery Thompson, I’m a freshman at Middlebury Union High School in Vermont. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to spend the summer assisting at BSSC as an apprentice instructor! I loved my time as a camper last year and I am looking forward to getting to know this year’s crew of instructors and campers. I spend my winters alpine ski racing, running cross country and playing volleyball here in Vermont. I can’t wait to get back on the water and create wonderful memories with BSSC again this year.
George Messner
St. Timothy Middle School
Sailing & Science Apprentice
My name is George Messner. I am 14 years old, and I live in West Hartford, Connecticut. In Maine, I really enjoy fishing, many different waterfront activities, and golf. During the Winter, I play Hockey, and I love art and music. At camp, I look forward to all of the hands-on science projects, sailing, and getting to know the campers.
Hunter Snell
Rye Country Day School
Sailing Apprentice
Hunter Snell is a rising sophomore at Rye Country Day School in Rye, New York. He has been sailing Optis and 420s in the Boothbay area his whole life, and he is excited to join BSSC as an apprentice this summer. Hunter also loves playing soccer, his dog Maple, and trivia nights at Pier 1 Pizza.