Do you know a group of kids who like to get their feet wet and explore the natural world? Why not let NSRWA take them an outdoor adventure of discovery this boating season in the North River ecosystem?
Our Estuary Explorers work in teams to learn first-hand about the science of rivers, watersheds and estuaries in fun outdoor day trips. For many kids, this is their first time on the North River—the only scenic protected river in our state.
Schedule
Each Estuary Explorer day trip is about 2.5 hours long and runs most of the year. Each outing can accommodate a team of up to 75 participants. The program can be tailored to meet the needs of a wide range of ages and grade levels.
Activities
Exploring the salt marsh, sand flats, mud flats and barrier beaches of the North River, kids learn about the ecology of a salt water estuary. At a shifting sand flat called “the Spit,” kids examine tide pool creatures and observe a variety of animals including invasive green crabs, Asian shore crabs, sea stars, and birds. On land exploration or a pontoon river boat trip, the team collects data on water quality and marine life using scientific tools to study river salinity, marine and local ecology, a beach scavenger hunt, and more.
Instructors and Partners
Our program instructors include NSRWA educators, summer interns, and camp counselors and school teachers from partner organizations. Our partners include: Marshfield Boys and Girls Clubs, South Shore YMCA, South Shore Natural Science Center, South Shore Stars, Mass Audubon South Shore Sanctuary, South Shore Vocational Technical High School in Hanover, and Rockland High School.
No Cost
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, this program has no cost to participants.
“The program works perfectly with our AP Environmental Science program. The kids get exposure to real field work…what scientists really do, the kind of data they collect and how to set up an experiment.” ~ Angela Armstrong, Rockland High School Teacher
To plan an Estuary Explorers day trip for your group, contact our Environmental Educator Brian Taylor at brian@nsrwa.org.
- 2025 WaterWatch Lecture Series
- Education
- 2024 WaterWatch Lecture Series
- Community Programs
- Estuary Explorers
- River Adventures Camp
- School Programs
- Workshops and Conferences
- Healthy Rivers
- Dam Removals
- Indian Head River Restoration
- South River Restoration
- South River Restoration
- Third Herring Brook Restoration
- Improving Water Quality
- Shellfish Beds
- Streamflow Restoration
- First Herring Brook Restoration
