The Boothbay Sea and Science Center (BSSC) Board of Directors made the difficult decision to cancel their onsite summer programming at the Ocean Point Marina until further notice. Instead they will be offering their sea and science summer program using virtual platforms.

According to President and Executive Director Pauline Dion, “During this period of social distancing, we are reimagining our summer by being resourceful and creative. With our friends and families near and far, we will be coming together in a virtual space. BSSC’s sea and science instructors are hard at work modifying our summer programs so that we can stay true to our mission that everyone has access to our programming.”

The BSSC’s online program begins on Monday, June 29. A different topic will be explored on a specified day of the week for eight weeks. Youth ages 5 to 17 will be: learning all about the sea and the creatures that make their home from the surface to the seafloor; exploring where marine debris comes from, where it goes, the different technologies to help solve the problem of plastics in the ocean, and working with artists who use marine debris as a medium; learning how geology, weather, and climate change over time, and how these changes impact the organisms living here; talking with the people that design and build boats and meet shipwrights, artists, musicians, and storytellers that celebrate them through their trade, art, music, and sea tales.

“We will do all of this and so much more while we keep ourselves, our families, and our friends safe and healthy. And though we will be distancing, we will not be distant. In fact, we’ll never be closer,” said Dion.

The details and the weekly line-up of topics are available on their website at www.boothbayseaandsciencecenter.org under the Programs & Registration tab. Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis. The sessions and daily schedules are as follows: Mizzen I (ages 5-6), 9 a.m.-9:30 a.m.; Mizzen II (ages 7 -8), 10 a.m.-10:30 a.m.; Stay’s’l - I (ages 9 – 11), 11 a.m.-11:45 a.m.; Stay’s’l – II (ages 12 – 17), 11 a.m.-11:45 a.m.; Top’s’l (ages 13 – 17), 11 a.m.-11:45 a.m. There are a limited number of slots in each session and they are expected to fill quickly.

The Boothbay Sea and Science Center is gearing up for an awesome virtual summer season. “ So get your sunscreen on and your laptop, tablet or mobile phone fired-up and join us for a summertime filled with lots of sea and science fun,” says Dion.

For more information, please email Pauline Dion at info@boothbayseaandsciencecenter.org or call at (207) 350-5357.