Virtual Programs

Virtual Field Trips

Discover the excitement of sailing a wooden ship on the vast Atlantic Ocean. Our Virtual Field Trip program is an interactive, curriculum-based, program that brings this fascinating chapter of history to life. In 2020, more than 1,300 students from more than two dozen schools participated in our virtual programs.

Explore a working ship from the tops of the masts, down to the roaring engine room below! With the magic of virtual programs, we can take your class to parts of the ship that are seldom seen – or even harder to reach.

Learn why settlers made the dangerous Atlantic crossing to bring the original Kalmar Nyckel to Delaware and find out what happened during those pivotal early days of American history – here in the Delaware Valley.

What happened when the Swedes met the native Lenni Lenape people? How do canvas sails push a 300-ton ship? What did the original sailors eat, where did they sleep, and how did they live? Ask questions, explore history, and enjoy a unique learning experience with a Virtual Field Trip.

Plan A Virtual Trip

To schedule a program please contact Garrett Hastings, Assistant Director of Education:

Email Garrett Hastings or call the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation office at 302.429.7447.

Virtual Starting A Colony

In our Virtual Starting A Colony, students can be online or in the classroom for our interactive program with a live presenter from the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation. Students will learn about the 1638 origins of the Colony of New Sweden and discover the difficult decisions that must be made when planning a transatlantic voyage. 

With our in-house drag-and-drop ship loader software, students work in teams to discuss and debate what materials and resources are most important for their transatlantic journey. The ship’s cargo hold has limited space. Will they decide to maximize profit, prioritize crew safety, or build the biggest possible colony? They must choose wisely if they want to receive Queen Christina's blessing to sail to the New World. 

Delaware history as well as core early financial literacy concepts are taught in this program. Students become active decision-makers. Financial literacy concepts such as profit, scarcity, and resource management can be abstract for young learners. 

Through the story of the Kalmar Nyckel’s voyage, these ideas are presented in an engaging environment that makes it easy and fun to understand. This joint Economics and History program is provided at no charge thanks to support from Discover. 

To schedule a free Virtual Starting a Colony please contact Garrett Hastings, Assistant Director of Education:

Email Garrett Hastings or call the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation office at 302.429.7447.