young mariner Program

Do you have what it takes to become a Young Mariner? Earn your sea legs this summer! We also have a new online system for registering!

What Parents Are Saying

“Thank you so much for an amazing camp again this year! [My kids] had so much fun and are still talking about their adventures.”

— Heather

“I just had to send a quick e-mail to thank you all so much for such a great 4 days. [My child] had such a great time at the camp last week. The highlight was definitely the sailboat, He was so excited they let him steer the boat!! … We both can't wait for the pictures to be posted on the website And are so thankful for you giving him the opportunity...”

— Susan

when

Summer 2024:

Weekly sessions from June 24th through August 23rd

No camp the week of July 4th

Monday - Thursday

9 AM - 12 PM OR 1 PM - 4 PM

who

Entering Grades 4-7

(If child entering grades 8-12, check our our Counselor-In-Training Program)

​Discounts available for Cape Residents and Alumni

what

A 4-day summer program full of maritime-themed STEM activities both on land and on the water.

Learn about navigation, seamanship, marine life, sailing, and local ecology.

Contact

How much?

$350 for non-Cape residents

$300 for Cape residents

$275 for alumni

$200 for C.I.T.’s

Scholarships available!

Interested in joining the YMP Team?

Send a cover letter and resume to

Elizabeth York, Executive Director

eyork@capecodmaritimemuseum.org

Watch!

Interested? Check out this in-depth video about the Young Mariner Program.

Former Young Mariner Program Director Meghan Reilly and Executive Director Elizabeth York discuss how great this program is!

About the Young Mariner Program

The Cape Cod Maritime Museum’s ‘Young Mariner Program’ is a multidisciplinary course designed to introduce young people to maritime culture, creatures, and science in a hands-on manner.

  • • This program takes place during summer break, June 24th through August 22th.​

    • Designed for children entering school grades 4-7

    • Sessions run Monday through Thursday, 9am-12pm or 1pm-4pm​

    • Each session is 4 days long - pick your week!

    • Each session can accommodate up to 12 children

    • Please note this program is intended for 4 days only - not for recurring attendance

    • Cost is $350 for the 4-day session

    • Cost is $300 for Cape Cod residents (campers who attend school year round on Cape Cod)

    • Scholarships are available! ($50 placeholder deposit required)

    • Alumni discounts are available!

  • Activities occur at the museum and onboard Cape Cod Maritime Museum vessels: a Dyer 29 research vessel named ADVENTURE and our 1886 Crosby catboat replica, SARAH.

    While aboard ADVENTURE, campers will travel around Lewis Bay, Hyannis, and Hyannis Port, learning all about local marine biology and specimen collection, navigation and seamanship, and the area's maritime history. Campers will also have the chance to learn the basics of sailing.

    Back on land, campers will try their hand at knot tying, boat building, reading navigational charts, examining their specimens under a microscope, and learning about the history of boats and maritime culture on Cape Cod.

  • Click Here for info on our C.I.T. program for kids entering grades 8-12. Cost is $200. Requires a training day the Friday before YMP week. You can register your child for YMP by following YMP registration instructions. When choosing a session, please choose one of the sessions labeled “CIT” for your child.

Section Styles Full-width

Curriculum

Registration

Registration for Summer 2024 is NOW OPEN! We ask that parents/guardians be the ones to register their child(ren) and apply for scholarships. During registration, you may indicate others who may be authorized to pick up your camper(s). Please follow the same registration guidelines for C.I.T.’s. Choose a session labeled “CIT” when choosing your dates.

You will be asked to create an account on our new platform UltraCamp. After creating an account, you can then add each camper and choose your dates. This platform also will require you to upload all documentation, eg. consent forms. If you are applying for a scholarship, please wait to hear the determination prior to registering your child(ren).

Know a group of 6 that want to attend together? Call us about our pod registrations.

We are pleased to offer need-based Scholarships to YMP. ​PLEASE DO NOT BEGIN THE REGISTRATION PROCESS ONLINE UNTIL YOU HEAR THE RESULTS OF YOUR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION. Scholarships are not available for C.I.T.’s. Parents/Guardians should be the ones applying for the scholarship. We provide you with a code so you will only be charged the $50 non-refundable placeholder deposit. Please read the following information before applying for a scholarship. Should you have any questions, please contact us at (508) 775-1723 or email us at: info@capecodmaritimemuseum.org

  • At this time, CIT’s do not qualify for scholarship assistance.

    Any family may apply for a scholarship for their camper. We review applications in the order that they are received, please allow at least 10 business days for processing. Only completed applications with all questions answered will be reviewed. You will be required to provide proof of income or proof of need. Scholarships may be awarded for one session per camper, per summer. The scholarship may be used toward any of the available sessions.

    All scholarships are distributed at the discretion of the Young Mariner Program Director.

  • The Young Mariner Program does not guarantee that a particular camper or family will receive a scholarship. We review applications in the order they are received, and funds are limited each year, so it is best to apply sooner than later.

  • Scholarships awarded by the Young Mariner Program are funded by donations from individuals, businesses, foundations, and grants. Therefore, funds are limited and availability varies year to year. However, our goal is to host 60% of our campers on scholarships, and we work hard throughout the year to achieve this.

  • Your application is reviewed by the Camp Director, who will contact you to register your child for your preferred session. Please allow at least 10 business days for the Program Director to get back to you after submitting your application.

  • Scholarship Campers require a n n-refundable $50 place-holder deposit. In case of a cancellation, a full refund may be issued if staff is notified in writing 4 weeks or more prior to your session start date, a 50% refund within 4 weeks prior, and no refund within 72 hours prior.

    For all other Campers, a full refund may be issued if staff is notified in writing 4 weeks or more prior to your session start date, a 50% refund if within 4 weeks prior, and no refund within 72 hours prior. We will consider cancellation reasons involving medical emergencies on a case-by-case basis, and you will be required to provide documentation from a medical professional. Please note that due to bank processing times, it may take 2-5 business days to see your refund hit your account.

    In the unlikely event of the camp session not meeting the minimum required number of campers, we will offer you a full refund or work with you to rebook a different session, based on availability.

    In the unlikely event that the camp session is cancelled due to extenuating circumstances (e.g. extreme weather), we will offer you a full refund or work with you to rebook a different session, based on availability.

  • You may transfer your camper into another session if there is space available. Please call us to rebook. Rebooking campers must be done at least 72 hours prior to the start of the desired session.

  • In the event of inclement weather, activities will be moved inside if necessary. Please be sure to pack a rain jacket/poncho for stray showers that may occur. Our goal is to get every child on a boat every day. The program director and our boat captains will be monitoring the weather for the day/week.

  • Yes, you may call and request that your camper be added to a waitlist.

  • Yes, sign up for the week that works best for you! Activities may vary but follow the same educational/curriculum themes of navigation, seamanship, marine biology, and history.

  • All equipment and items used during program sessions are sanitized before and after use. The museum building is sanitized daily, with special attention paid to public areas.

    All Camp Staff and Museum Staff have been vaccinated. Camper vaccination and mask-wearing is up to the parent’s discretion, but masks will be on the premise if requested. Small group sizes easily allow for social distancing. We ask that all parents and guardians remain in their cars for drop off and pick up to avoid unnecessary contact. Brief surveys will be conducted each day at drop-off.

    We will continue to monitor state guidelines and may adjust these policies if we see fit. The health and safety of our campers and staff are our top priority!

  • Small session sizes allow us to maintain a 6:1 instructor to camper ratio.

  • Making new friends is one of the best parts of a summer camp program, but we understand that having a friend in a new surrounding can make children feel more comfortable. Please make sure you notify us of your request during registration and that the buddy you request is not more than two years apart in age from your child. We will try our best to accommodate these requests, but cannot guarantee them as session sizes are small.

  • No. If a child is registered for a session, we assume they will attend the entire 4-day session. Sessions cannot be paid for on a day-to-day basis, and refunds will not be issued if your child does not attend the whole 4-days.

  • A $10 late fee will be charged for every 15 minutes late that a camper is picked up (30 min late = $20 fee. 45 min late= $30 fee). This fee must be paid prior to the start of the next camp day. Children will not be allowed to stay if there is an outstanding late fee. Please know that if you are late picking up your child in the morning session, we have another group of campers to prepare for. This involves sanitizing group areas/equipment and giving our hardworking staff time to eat lunch before the start of the next session.

    Our staff work very hard to provide children with a fun and exciting experience, please be on time to pick up your child from the afternoon session so our staff has enough time to recharge for the next day’s activities.

  • If your child is not feeling well, please keep them at home. You may contact the camp phone number at 508 360-7030 and/or email our staff at camp@capecodmaritimemuseum.org. If for some reason your child will not be attending on any given day due to Covid-19 symptoms or exposure to someone with it, you must contact the Cape Cod Maritime Museum at 508-775-1723.

  • We follow all staff regulations set forth by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Our staff goes through interviews, must provide references, and pass a CORI/SORI background check. Additionally, all staff must be American Red Cross First Aid/CPR certified and will complete a one-week training prior to the start of camp.

  • The safety of children and staff is our number one priority. Children in the program will practice a fire drill and learn about other safety precautions during orientation on the first day of each session. In the event of an emergency, the program director will contact you as soon as it is safely possible. If there is an emergency at home, please call the main office at 508-775-1723, and we will notify the program director.

  • Send your camper in with comfortable clothing that can get wet/dirty.

    Sunscreen, water bottle, rain jacket/poncho, hat, towel.

    Close-toed shoes, water shoes, and Crocs are recommended. Flip-flops are not recommended.

    Please leave all cellphones/electronics at home - we want campers to dive in to the maritime world, and unplug from their screens!

  • Yes! We will be spending as much time outside as we possibly can. We recommend packing sunscreen that is rated SPF25 or higher. Forgot to pack it? Don’t worry, we have some on hand at the museum!

  • We will be on and around the water each day, but we will not be swimming during the program sessions. Please ensure your child is wearing clothes that are comfortable and can get wet if splashed, etc. If we are wading in the shallows, we will notify you the day before so your child has the appropriate attire and footwear.

 FAQs & Parent Information

Happy Campers

Look at all of our happy campers over the years by browsing through our summer photo galleries! This could be your kid this summer!

Thank you to our sponsors!

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