Summer Programs

Maritime Center Themed Programs

Fun hands-on learning experiences are the focus of our Summer Field Trips on both the Copeland Maritime Center campus and our Tall Ship. With four great programs on land, plus choices of sail and land combinations, there's something for everyone, ages 5 and up. Land activities take place in our building and outdoors, on the shipyard campus.

Explore these choices and contact us to schedule while dates are available.

#1 - Captain Kidd’s Pirate Adventure 

Captain Kidd’s Pirate Adventure offers an unforgettable field trip in the day of the life of a pirate to include pirate-themed crafts, scavenger hunts, exploring Fort Christina Park, discovering 73 model ship models from around the world, cannon loading, sail handling, and more! 

Ideal ages: 7-18

#2 - Five Ways to Freedom: Delaware's Underground Railroad

Five Ways to Freedom: Navigating Delaware’s Underground Railroad Network explores powerful and inspiring stories of heroism and bravery, and the many successful pathways to freedom which included watercraft. Visit "The Rocks" at Fort Christina Park—a documented site on the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. Learn sailing skills on our 3/4-scale indoor model of Kalmar Nyckel’s main deck. Activities may include sail handling, 17th century navigation, and model cannon drills. 

Ideal ages: 11-18

#3 - LEGO Shipbuilding Spectacular

Dive into a fun, STEM-focused field trip where campers will use LEGO kits to build models of naval and historic ships, with difficulty levels ranging from easy to expert. They will also build their own ships in our free-play LEGO space.

The program culminates in a LEGO shipbuilding competition to apply participant's knowledge to their own vessels. Additional activities can include a buoyancy challenge and exploring ship models and seamanship in our Copeland Maritime Center. This program is perfect for LEGO enthusiasts and fans of STEM-based challenges. Ideal ages: 5-16

#4 - Ghost Ships and Sea Monsters

A fun and unique maritime-focused field trip experience with hands-on activities related to spooky and ghostly folklore of the seas. Arts and crafts activities such as building a haunted ship, spinning a yarn spider web, navigating a frightening map of leviathans, testing your memory on eerie spirit ship models, and listening to folklore of monsters and ghouls that are said to live in and around the sea. Then participants will make their very own sinister creations! 

Ideal ages: 5-12

Unforgettable Themed Programs

Our Copeland Maritime Center campus is an ideal setting for our themed programs on land.

• Programs run up to 4 hours.
• Each program is highly customizable to meet your needs and specific age groups from ages 5 to 18.
• Programs on Land:  $12 per person
  

Ship & Shore Programs

We offer one-of-a-kind educational sails on Kalmar Nyckel, The Tall Ship of Delaware which can be paired with additional activities on land.

• Limited summer dates are available (when the ship is in Wilmington).
• Educational Sails run 90 minutes and include three “underway” stations
• Sails can be combined with a Maritime Center program with 3-4 interactive stations on land.  Programs typically run 4 hours and are designed for groups of 15 to 86 youth and chaperones.
• Sail and Land Programs: $15-22 per person
  

Program Details

• Participants may pack lunches and enjoy our outdoor picnic area or eat at tables in our STEM room.
• A visit to Fort Christina Park (adjacent to our campus) is also available.
• Ample parking for buses and cars.
  

Scheduling

To learn more and schedule your Summer Field Trip please email Kat Peterson, Assistant Director of Education or call our office at 302.429.7447.

Ship & Shore Programs

Education Sail on Kalmar Nyckel

Take an engaging sail on Kalmar Nyckel, The Tall Ship of Delaware in the Christina River. Activities include 3 educational stations that explore 1) the life of a 17th century sailor, 2) simple machines and mechanical advantage, and 3) navigation and sail handling. An excellent hands-on history and fun learning experience. Program runs 90 minutes. $15 per participant

Ideal ages: 7 and up

Combination Sail and Land Experience

Participants take a fun 90-minute education sail on Kalmar Nyckel before participating in four hands-on education stations on land. Ship activities (see above). Experiences on land include “firing” a model cannon and exploring a world trade game, archeology of the New Sweden Colony (1638-1655), a collection of 73 model ships, and a blacksmithing demonstration. $22 per participant

Ideal ages: 7 and up.

Plan Your Trip

For more information, and to schedule your field trip, please contact Garrett Hastings, Assistant Director of Education:  Email Kat Peterson or call the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation office at 302.429.7447.