Gundalow Company offers a variety of camp experiences to get kids on and around the water. These programs are run aboard the gundalow PISCATAQUA, at our land base at Creek Farm owned by the Society for the Protection of NH Forest, and at our other partner organizations. These programs offer the best of summer (and afterschool programs) in the Piscataqua Maritime Region! We will be following up-to-date COVID-19 safety guidelines for all of our programs. If you have any questions about camp, please email Jess at education@gundalow.org.
Please Note: Summer camps opened for non-member registration on January 17th. Many camps have already Sold Out for 2022! Check below for the camps that have remaining spaces (see: Crew for a Day & Captains & Carpentry) and don’t delay! Also plan ahead for next year if you see a camp you’d like to try be ready to sign up in January. Become a member today to qualify for early access to registrations and great discounts too!
**As our registration fills up, we offer waitlists for popular camps and will consider opening multiple sessions based on demand.**
**Afterschool programs have just opened up for registration! See below for more info and a link to register before those spots are gone too!**
Gundalow Company
60 Marcy Street, Portsmouth NH
603.433.9505; education@gundalow.org
Gundalow Company Afterschool Programs – Spring 2022
Spring 2022 – Afterschool Adventures! (Ages 6-13)
Come join the adventure after school! Our Afterschool Adventure program will run for 5 weeks, from mid-May through early-June. We will be exploring the shore at Creek Farm for 4 sessions and will have 1 afternoon aboard the Gundalow. Adventurers will learn about the history and ecology of our rivers while having a ton of fun!
*Please note, masks will be worn inside or when social distancing cannot be maintained. We will continue with our smaller group sizes.
Afterschool Adventures:
- Wednesdays – Ages 6-13 I 4:00pm-6:00pm
Date: May 11th, 18th, 25th, June 1st & 8th
Gundalow Company Summer Camps 2022
For more information on a particular camp, or to register, click on the Camp Title.
River Rats Camps
Horseshoe Crabs (Ages 5-6)
Session 1: July 5-8 (4 day week – $172) SOLD OUT
Session 2: August 8-12 SOLD OUT
Session 3: July 25-29 SOLD OUT
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
Cost: $215 (10% sibling, friend or member discount)
Our youngest campers join us for a week of discovery and adventure at the water’s edge near Creek Farm in Portsmouth, NH. Each week, our Horseshoe Crab campers gain confidence near the water by meeting marine critters, doing projects, singing songs and most importantly playing in nature along our shorelines. Horseshoe Crab campers will also explore on the water in our sit-atop kayaks and in motorboat rides. Through these activities, campers become budding naturalists and river explorers. Please note: Our Horseshoe Crab campers do not sail on the Gundalow, but may do a dockside program.
Session 0A: June 27-July 1 SOLD OUT
Session 1 + Session 1A: July 5- 8 (4 day week – $300) SOLD OUT
Session 2+ Session 2A: July 11-15 SOLD OUT
Session 3: July 18-22 SOLD OUT
Session 4: July 25-29 SOLD OUT
Session 5: August 1-5 SOLD OUT
Session 6: August 8-12 SOLD OUT
Session 7 + Session 7A: August 15-19 SOLD OUT
Session 8: August 22-26 SOLD OUT
Time: 9:00am-3:00pm
Cost: $375 (10% sibling, friend or member discount)
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)
Session 1: June 27- July 1 SOLD OUT
Session 2: August 8-12 SOLD OUT
Session 3: August 15-19 SOLD OUT
Session 4: August 22-26 SOLD OUT
Time: 9:00am-3:00pm
Cost: $375 (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. Sturgeon Campers will gain a deeper understanding of the marine environment through a variety of fun activities and learn to sail the only operating Gundalow in the world.
Gundalow Discovery Camps
STEM at Sea (Ages 10-15)
Session: July 18-22; 9:00am-3:00pm SOLD OUT
Cost: $375 (10% sibling, friend or member discount)
This year we’re taking STEM into the water with us! This week will incorporate multiple STEM activities including building and testing a Sea Perch, sailing a traditional vessel, and engineering challenges. On our final day of camp we will launch our Sea Perch from our boats or dock 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! When we’re not building our Sea Perch campers will spend time on the water towing for plankton, testing the water quality and more!
Take the Tiller (Ages 8-10)
Session: July 11- 5; 9:00am-3:00pm SOLD OUT
Cost: $375 (10% sibling, friend or member discount)
Learn sailing and water stewardship this week aboard the Gundalow and our fleet of MerryMac sailboats. In partnership with the Great Bay Yacht Club, we will focus on more advanced seamanship skills and learn basic sailboat racing. Campers are encouraged to register for the MerryMac sailboat race series held throughout the summer at Great Bay Yacht Club. MerryMac Sailboats were designed right here in the Piscataqua Region. Campers will also have the opportunity aboard the Gundalow to learn navigation skills and how to operate a larger traditional vessel.
Rivers to the Sea (Ages 10-14)
Session: July 25-29; 8:00am-3:00pm SOLD OUT
Cost: $550 (10% sibling, friend or member discount)
Seven Rivers Paddling and the Gundalow Company have teamed up once again to offer an action-packed 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 Oyster River and Great 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, as well as venturing out to the mouth of the river. **Please note that this program starts in Great Bay and finishes in Portsmouth. Campers will need to be dropped off and picked up at different locations throughout the week,
(NEW) Marine Science Adventure with Seacoast Science Center (Ages 10-13)
Session: August 1-5; 9:00am-3:00pm SOLD OUT
Cost: $400 (10% sibling, friend or member discount)
Fully immerse yourself in 9 different marine habitats, from open ocean to sheltered estuary our partner camp with Seacoast Science Center will do it all.
The Piscataqua Region is part of a complex estuarine ecosystem. During the week, campers will merge with another small day camp group from Seacoast Science Center where they will work together to explore the marine science of the rivers and the ocean. Campers will spend 3 days at Creek Farm, with trips aboard our Gundalow, PISCATAQUA, and 2 full days at Seacoast Science Center. During their week, participants will explore topics such as marine invasive species, plankton, water quality, oyster restoration, tidal zones, and more through fun, engaging, hands-on activities.
Crew for a Day (Ages 8-13)
Single Day Program Dates: June 29, July 20 & August 10; 11:00am-3:00pm
Cost: $50 per day (10% sibling, friend or member discount)
*This is a single day program
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.
Register Here!
Waterways of Independence (Ages 8-14)
Program Dates: Tuesday, July 5 – Friday, July 8; 9:00-3:00 SOLD OUT
Locations: Creek Farm & Prescott Park, Portsmouth and the American Independence Museum, Exeter
Cost: $350 (10% discount for members or when you sign up with a friend or sibling)
From sea to shining sea, come celebrate the waterways that make our great nation! We’re partnering with the American Independence Museum to bring you a history packed and adventure-filled camp week! Campers will spend two full days at the American Independence Museum (AIM) in Exeter, along the banks of the Exeter and Squamscott Rivers. There, children will hear stories of the people who came before us from the Indigenous population to colonists and discover the influence the rivers had on the settlement of New England and the creation of America. The other two days will be spent with the Gundalow Company, where participants will try their hand helping to sail our traditional gundalow on the Piscataqua river. On the gundalow and on shore, campers will continue to learn about the impact our rivers have on our society (past and present) through fun, engaging, hands-on activities.
Camps with Strawbery Banke Museum
Anchors Aweigh (Ages 6-8)
June 27 – July 1; 9:00am-3:00pm SOLD OUT
Cost: $375 ($50 discount for members of Gundalow Company or Strawbery Banke)
It’s time to set sail on a maritime journey through the past. Spend time onboard the gundalow, Piscataqua, and try out different jobs on board a ship. Learn to tie knots, raise the sails and swab the decks. Try out crafts, games and hands-on activities to discover what it was like to be a sailor (or a pirate) long ago. We are looking for new recruits. Join us for fun on land and sea.Program Dates: Monday-Friday
All Hands on Deck (Ages 9-12)
June 27 – July 1; 9:00am-3:00pm SOLD OUT
Cost: $375 ($50 discount for members of Gundalow Company or Strawbery Banke)
Set sail on board the Gundalow, Piscataqua, and try manning the sails, navigating, steering and much more! Then become immersed in an historical seaport neighborhood. Cook a ship’s meal, develop a cure for scurvy, join a maritime trade simulation, visit a sea captain’s house, and engage in a variety of antique arts and nautical games. Don’t miss the boat!
Camps with the Boatshop at Strawbery Banke Museum
Bosuns and Boatbuilders (7-10)
July 11-15: 9:00am-3:00pm (aftercare available) SOLD OUT
Cost: $500 (10% sibling, friend or member discount)
Make new boats while making new friends! 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. 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 (Ages 10-13)
July 25-29; 9:00am-3:00pm (aftercare available 3-5) SOLD OUT
Cost: $500 (10% sibling, friend or member discount)
Campers will join the professional boatbuilders at The Boatshop at Strawbery Banke for an exciting week of building their own wooden model sailboats from scratch. Each camper will discover the fundamentals of boatbuilding and learn how to use basic woodworking skills to experience the magic of transforming a drawing and raw materials into a 3-dimensional model sailing boat. The week will culminate with campers launching and sailing their finished boats before taking them home for future adventures.
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 (Ages 12-15)
August 1-5; 9:00am-3:00pm (aftercare available 3-5pm) 2 spots remain as of 2/8
Cost: $500 (10% sibling, friend or member discount)
Campers age 12-15 will join the professional boatbuilders at the Boatshop at Strawbery Banke in the mornings to build a sailing rig for two 12’ Bevin’s skiffs, which were built as part of a previous Captains and Carpenters camp. In this hands on program, we’ll explore the fundamentals of boatbuilding by learning proper tool usage and then dive right into the design and construction of the mast, boom, rudder, tiller, dagger board, and sail. With guidance, participants will work in teams to construct every aspect of the sailing rig. By week’s end, we’ll launch the skiffs and each student will have the opportunity test out the new sailing rig.
Each afternoon, campers will head 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. Captains and Carpenters campers will also spend time in small boats learning to sail Merrymacs and row Piscataqua Wherries.
**This camp is open to first time participants as well as campers who have previously participated in a Boatshop or Gundalow camp.
Art on the Piscataqua River
Art at the Water’s Edge (Ages 7-10)
July 18-22; 9:00am-3:00pm (aftercare available 3-5) SOLD OUT
Cost: $375 (10% sibling, friend or member discount)
During this week of camp, we dive deep into developing our sense of place. Through explorations at the water’s edge and on the water aboard the Gundalow and our other small boats, we will play, discover, explore; deepening our connection to places 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.
Other Camp Details
After Care
After care is available for some camps with a few exceptions. After care is from 3:00-5:00pm for full day programs.
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.
Gundalow Company
60 Marcy Street, Portsmouth NH
603.433.9505; education@gundalow.org
