Looking for a fun summer experience on the water? The nonprofit Gundalow Company offers week-long or single day camps this summer for your seaworthy kids ages 5-15. Each program has an educational theme and offers a hands-on sailing experience. A great way to learn about the cultural and natural history of the region while sailing aboard the only gundalow in the world!
Gundalow Company
60 Marcy Street, Portsmouth NH
603.433.9505; education@gundalow.org
2019 Gundalow Company Summer Camps
For more information on a particular camp, or to register, click on the Camp Title.
River Rats Camp
Horseshoe Crabs (Ages 5-6)
Sessions: July 15-19 and July 22-26; 9:00am-12:00pm
Cost: $190 (10% sibling, friend or member discount)
Our youngest campers join us for a week of exploring, discovering and adventuring along and on the waters near Creek Farm in Portsmouth, NH. Each week, our Horseshoe Crab Campers gain confidence near the water by playing games, doing projects, singing songs and most importantly taking part in nature-play along our shorelines. Through these activities, these campers become naturalist and river explorers.
Seals (Ages 6-8)
Half Day Sessions: July 29-August 2 (9:00am-12:00pm) and August 5-9 (12:00pm-3:00pm) Cost: $200
Full Day Session: July 22-26; 9:00am-3:00pm (10% sibling, friend or member discount)
Cost: $340 – SOLD OUT
Our Seals are ready for fun and adventure on the water and on shore. Each week Seals will explore the shoreline of Creek Farm, row in our wherries, play games, do projects and head out on the Gundalow for a sailing adventure. Seals are full of fun and truly love the chance to simply ‘mess about in boats.’
Sturgeons (Ages 8-10)
Sessions: July 8-12 and July 29-August 2; 9:00am-3:00pm
Cost: $340 (10% sibling, friend or member discount)
Our Sturgeon day camp gets campers out on the water both on the Gundalow as well as our small boats. We’ll visit islands, learn to row, become naturalists at the tidepool, create our own maritime art, raise the sail and swab the decks on the Gundalow and so much more.
Lobster (Ages 10-13)
Session: July 8-12; 9:00am-3:00pm
Cost: $340 (10% sibling, friend or member discount)
Our Lobsters are ready to delve into the maritime world through a variety of experiences both on and off the water. Lobsters will take more responsibility on the Gundalow including navigation, learning about points of sail, as well as take a deeper look at the marine world through plankton tows, otter trawls and tidepooling.
Gundalow Discovery Camps
Anchors Aweigh (Ages 6-8)
June 24-28; 9:00am-3:00pm
Cost: $325 (10% sibling, friend or member discount)
It’s time to set sail on a maritime journey back in time with Strawbery Banke and Gundalow Company. Join the crew of the Gundalow PISCATAQUA and learn to raise the sails, tie knots and swap the decks. Then head over to Strawbery Banke to test your skills through games, making your own bracelets, and even building your own compass.
All Hands on Deck (Ages 9-12)
June 24-28; 9:00am-3:00pm
Cost: $325 (10% sibling, friend or member discount)
The Gundalow Company is partnering with the Strawbery Banke Museum for an exciting maritime adventure camp. Campers spend time at Strawbery Banke Museum immersed in the maritime heritage of the region and then experience life at sea first hand aboard the Gundalow. Campers learn the skills of a sailor including how to swab the deck, steer the boat, cure scurvy, cook a ship’s meal, tie knots and so much more.
Marine Science Adventure Camp (Ages 8-12)
July 15-19; 9:00am-3:00pm
Cost: $395 (10% discount for signing up with a sibling, friend)
This year we’re taking science not only on the water but into the water! This week will incorporate multiple STEM activities including building and testing a Sea Perch. On our final day of camp we will launch our Sea Perch from our boats and use underwater cameras to explore the Piscataqua River and Sagamore Creek. Sea Perch is an underwater robotics program that includes building a small ROV. Learn more at Seacoast Sea Perch. Each camper will leave camp with their own Sea Perch to take home!
Bosuns and Boatbuilders: Fundamentals of Sailing and Boatbuilding (7-10)
July 15-19: 9:00am-3:00pm
Cost: $410 (10% sibling, friend or member discount)
Cast off on a new adventure with the professional boatbuilders at The Boatshop at Strawbery Banke and the crew at the Gundalow Company for a fun-filled week of making new boats while making new friends. Budding boatbuilders ages 7-10 will join the crew at the Boatshop to discover the wonders of transforming raw materials into a simple cat rigged model sailboat. In this hands-on camp, participants will work to produce their very own boat that we’ll launch and sail on the final day. Along the way we’ll introduce some basic tool usage, measuring, knots, and examine concepts such as buoyancy and displacement. When we’re not in the shop, we’ll keep the energy high and the learning flowing through cooperative team building games.
After a morning of boatbuilding, campers will head out for some time on the water. We’ll sail the Gundalow, row our Piscataqua Wherries, paddle small kayaks and explore the rivers and waterfront of the Portsmouth region. Campers will help the crew set the sail, steer the boat, tie knots, and learn to navigate from the deck of the only Gundalow in the world.
Sailors and Shiprights: Fundamentals of Sailing and Boatbuilding (Ages 10-13)
July 22-26 AND August 5-9; 9:00am-3:00pm
Cost: $410 (10% sibling, friend or member discount)
Discover the fundamentals of boatbuilding and design at The Boatshop at Strawbery Banke and then head out on the water to learn the basics of sailing with the Gundalow Company. During your time at the boatshop, campers will join the professional boatbuilders for an exciting week of building their own wooden model sailboats from scratch. Each camper will begin with a set of plans and raw materials; then learn how to use basic woodworking skills to experience the magic of transforming a drawing into a 3 dimensional model sailing boat. We’ll sail our boats on the final day and every camper will take home their model for future sailing excursions. Each day campers spend part of their time in the boatshop and part of their time sailing and rowing on the Piscataqua River. Campers will join our crew aboard the Gundalow and learn to navigate and sail this traditional vessel. In addition, campers will have the chance to venture our in our wooden wherries and learn to row and explore the hidden spots on our rivers.
Captains and Carpentry: Fundamentals of Sailing and Boatbuilding (Ages 12-15)
August 12-16; 9:00am-3:00pm
Cost: $410 (10% sibling, friend or member discount)
Campers age 12-16 will join the professional boatbuilders at the Boatshop at Strawbery Banke to build and launch a full size boat. In this hands on program, we’ll explore the fundamentals of boatbuilding by learning proper tool usage and then dive right into building a 12’ Bevin’s skiff. By week’s end, we’ll launch the skiff and each student will have the opportunity to take her for a row. With guidance, participants will work in teams to construct every aspect of the craft, learning the proper use of hand tools along the way.
Campers will also take their newly acquired boatbuilding skills out on the water and learn about sailing and our waters from the deck of the only Gundalow in the world. Campers will explore the fundamentals of seamanship including sail theory, plotting, navigating, and knot work. Out Captains and Carpenters campers will also spend time on our small boats learning to sail Merrymacs and row Piscataqua Wherries.
Art at the Water’s Edge (Ages 7-10)
August 5-9; 9:00am-3:00pm
Cost: $350 (10% sibling, friend or member discount)
During this week of camp, we will dive deep into developing our sense of place. Through explorations at the water edge and on the water aboard the Gundalow and our other small boats, we will play, discover, explore, and deepen our connection to place where the land meets the water. We’ll use this connection to explore multiple art projects that reflect our time near the water. Campers will make their own model boats and take their artistic expression outside where we’ll create art in this beautiful place.
The Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion has a rich artistic history and our campers will join the many people who have come to love and create in this place.
Art of Adventure (Ages 10-13)
August 12-16; 9:00am-3:00pm
Cost: $350 (10% sibling, friend or member discount)
This year we are excited to offer a camp at the Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion to bring campers a week of art and adventure right here in Portsmouth. Campers will sail on the Gundalow, explore islands by rowboat, and study nature at the water’s edge. Throughout the week campers explore the connection between art and adventure.
During this week, campers will create an acrylic painting of a local scene with the guidance of local artist, Susan E. Hanna. The students will learn about composition, mixing colors, and how to use basic painting equipment. Weather-permitting, the class will paint outdoors as they look at the actual scenery.
Rivers to the Sea (Ages 10-14)
July 29-August 2; 9:00am-3:00pm
Cost: $395 (10% sibling, friend or member discount)
We are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity this summer! Seven Rivers Paddling and the Gundalow Company have teamed up to offer a summer camp. Participants will kayak, swim and learn the ropes of running a traditional Gundalow. Throughout the week kids will be immersed in the natural flow of the Lamprey River and Bay, discussing local history, science of our Bay and how to navigate our local waterways. All this will be done through fun engaging hands on activities. Midweek we will follow the Piscataqua River down to Portsmouth Harbor on the deck on the Gundalow and spend the end of the week exploring the Portsmouth waterfront.
Single Day Camps
Crew for a Day (Ages 8-13)
July 2; 11:00am-3:00pm AND August 21; 10:00am-2:00pm
Cost: $40 per day (10% sibling, friend or member discount)
Join the Gundalow crew for a day! Come aboard and become a real member of the crew. Learn to raise the sail, navigate, tie knots, stand bow watch, respond to emergency situations just like our own crew. During the 4 hour programs, campers will get to experience modern sail training at its best.
Other Camp Details
After Care
After care is available for each camp with a few exceptions. After care is from 3:00-5:00pm for full day programs. The cost for after care is $8/hour and must be scheduled at least 1 week prior to the start of camp.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available for campers in need. Campers should fill out a scholarship application and submit it prior to registration. In addition, campers must fill out and mail in all camp forms at least 1 week prior to the start of camp.
Friend & Sibling Discount
Receive a 10% discount when you register with a friend or sibling or become a Gundalow Company Member.
Fun!
Javin would LOVE this adventure.