Sail the historic schooner, A.J. Meerwald; experience the immediacy of the Delaware Estuary; and learn how each of us affects our environment. Help crew the schooner, raise the sails and handle lines, go fishing with a trawl net or set and retrieve an oyster dredge, and learn about the importance of your home tributary to the Delaware. Morning and afternoon 3 hour sails leave from our home port of Bivalve, NJ and other ports in the NJ/PA/DE area. Special School Rate: $725 per sail Capacity: 45 persons per 3 hour sail Pre-sail information and in-class prep activities will be provided on the Delaware Estuary, vessel specs and history, and sail logistics (weather, what to expect, wear & bring).

SELECT FOUR OR FIVE SMALL GROUP
"LEARNING STATIONS" ONBOARD INCLUDING:

The Bayshore Discovery Project offers an evolving variety of shore-based activities with themes related to the Delaware Estuary. You may combine several for a full-day field trip, choose just one or two for a shorter Delaware Bay experience, or combine one with a day-sail on the Schooner A. J. Meerwald We will work to fit the components you want into the time you have available.

Dockside tour of authentically restored oyster schooner A.J. Meerwald and guided tour of the Delaware Bay Museum (1-2 hours).

Guided tours of the maritime industry, for example, commercial fishing boats, oyster shucking house, soft-shell crab operation, meet crabers or the last generation of salt hay farmers. (1-2 hours) 

Tidal wetlands guided walk - Explore the beauty, plants and wildlife of bayside marshes, once considered nearly worthless, now recognized for their global environmental significance. Hands on, age appropriate activities can include seining, water sampling, environmental games, and bird observation. (1-3 hours)

Opportunities for volunteering/public service--As part of your field trip, your group can spend time doing a public service project. Call for possibilities.