Watch Whales and Dolphins at Play

There are days when the ocean seems so vast and empty. Then, from nowhere a huge whale erupts from beneath the surface.

We'll spend a day searching out whales and dolphins for a close-up look at their lifestyles. This is an exciting and memorable day as these gentle giants are awesome to witness in their natural habitat.

Become a Lobster Fisherman for the Week

Lobster fishing is an intricate part of our New England culture and is one of the nation's largest industries. More than $100 million in lobsters were harvested and sold in New England last year.

Each camper will have his or her very own lobster traps for the week. They will bait, set and haul their traps, learning how to handle and identify their catch, as well as learning conservation measures designed to protect our fisheries and oceans for the future. On the last day of camp, the campers and their parents will enjoy a lobster bake with lobsters caught by the campers themselves!

Go Deep Sea Fishing

Deep sea fishing is one of the most popular and fun ways to spend a summer day in New England.

Aboard Island Bound, we'll cruise 10 - 15 miles offshore, then anchor up or drift over some of our favorite underwater ledges, where the campers will not only can catch cod, haddock, pollack and a variety of other fish they probably have never seen or heard of, but gain a deeper understanding of the delicate balance between humans and the ocean life. Your youngster will more than likely come home with a delicious haddock or cod fillet for dinner!

Explore the Isles of Shoals and Marine Laboratory

The Isles of Shoals, six miles off the coast, is comprised of nine islands and ledges that are divided between Maine and New Hampshire. Rich in marine resources and natural history, the Isles of Shoals is home to the Shoals Marine Laboratory of Cornell University in cooperation with the University of New Hampshire.

As part of our educational program, we will visit the Laboratory and explore the many natural and historical treasures that abound on the Isles of Shoals, gaining a deeper understanding of the diverse and delicate marine ecosystem that exists in our oceans.

Fish for Striped Bass and Bluefish

After many years of strict conservation regulations, striped bass and bluefish populations have made an amazing comeback. We will fish for stripers and blues at the Isles of Shoals. These are exciting fish to hook up to, as the fish can range from 6 pounds to 40 pounds.

We will teach the campers some of our best tips and techniques for baiting, hooking, and landing the fish successfully and they will learn how to filet their catch and prepare it for the dinner table! Your youngster will also learn conservation measures designed to insure that the fish stocks will remain for the future, and our own personal motto which is we only keep what we will eat.

Meet the Coast Guard

The Coast Guard is an integral part of our lives on the ocean, from rescue missions to boater safety courses, and port security.

We will experience the life of a Coast Guardsman as we tour the Portsmouth Coast Guard Station and their lookout tower, aswell as their 47 foot rescue vessel. This is sure to be an exciting and memorable trip!