CISF offers an array of enriching programs for home-schooled students ages 5 – 14 throughout the academic year. The programs orient students to such subjects as the natural world and ecological consciousness, as well as provide a space for students to interact and play with peers. Want to learn more? Join our homeschool mailing list by contacting Fiona Christie Fiona@JamestownSailing.org
Spring Programs
Session 1: March 18th – April 19th
• Jr. Nature Explorers: Tuesdays + Thursdays, 9:30 – 11:30 (ages 5-7)
Every Tuesday and Thursday children between the ages of 5 and 7 will explore the natural world together at Fort Getty through this program for young homeschooled children. They will explore all around Fort Getty and observe the changes that happen in nature as spring brings life back into the world. This program focuses on taking risks, gaining agency, social emotional learning, and being creative in nature. (This is a 5 week program that will be followed by a second 5 week session.)
Cost: $275
Where: Ft. Getty Tent
• Coastal Citizens, grade 3-8, Session 1:
Plant Science + Marine Engineering: Tuesdays + Thursdays, 12:30 – 3 (ages 8-15)
This program is for home-school students from ages 8 – 15 (grades 3-8) and will focus on both participating in a marine engineering project and learning about plant science. Students will plan and plant our garden beds at Fox Hill Farm at the entrance to Fort Getty. One day each week students will expand their engineering skills by designing, building, and testing their own small scale wooden sailboat. The second day each week, students will learn about plant science along with sustainable farming techniques, growing seedlings, and planning and planting our own raised beds. This is a 5-week program.
Cost: $300
Where: Ft. Getty Tent
Session 2: April 22nd – May 31st
(excluding May 10 – 17th)
• Jr. Nature Explorers: Tuesdays + Thursdays, 9:00 – 11:30 (ages 5-7)
• Coastal Citizens grade 3-8, Session 2:
Gardening and Weather Systems: Tuesdays + Thursdays, 12:30 – 3 (ages 8-15)
For the second session of our spring homeschooling program, children in grades 3-8 will be working on their gardening skills and learning about the complex weather systems of Narragansett Bay! One day a week we will be focusing on Farming at Fox Hill Farm, starting seeds, planning, growing, and tending to a garden, and the other day each week will be focused on weather systems – learning about the water cycle, wind patterns, current, tide, and extreme weather. Weather is critical to us all, especially sailors and farmers!
Friday Explorations
(single sessions)
Ages 5-15
12 – 3 pm
Cost: $30/person/session
• 2/9: Winter Animal Tracking
Meet us at Fort Getty to learn the basics of tracking animals! We will learn how to identify animal tracks, as well as look for other evidence such as scat or burrows. We will also learn other tips and tricks about where to look and what animals we might find living at Getty, and what that can tell us about our ecosystem!
• 2/16: Birding Hike at Conanicut Island Sanctuary
Come on a hike and participate in citizen science with us! We will take a hike around the Conanicut Island Sanctuary and see how many birds we can see (or hear) in the woodland, open field, and marshy habitats of the area, and record that information for scientists to use. The Great Backyard Bird Count is a worldwide citizen science project happening all weekend until Monday the 19th.
• 3/22: Recycle Regatta STEM Challenge
Join us in designing boats out of recycled materials to participate in the 3rd annual Recycle Regatta put on by Educational Passages and NESS! Each child or group will design and test their boat, and when they are complete we will submit their designs online to put them in the running to be crowned the champion of the Recycle Regatta! Check out the official event page here: https://educationalpassages.org/recycle-regatta/
• 3/29: Geology
Come explore and learn the basics of geology at Fort Getty! We will learn the difference between Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic rocks through a fun hands-on activity, collect specimens from the areas, sort and identify them as best we can, and see what the rocks can teach us about the history of the island!
• 4/5: Orienteering Crash Course
Come learn how to find your way around using compasses and maps! We will have fun learning how to use these tools to find out where we’re going, and then create scavenger hunts for our friends to complete!
• 4/12: All About Plants
Through exploration, crafts and games, we will learn all about plants – their parts, how they function, how to identify different types of plants, and, most importantly, how important they are to the ecosystem and to us!
• 4/19 – Earth Week Fort Getty Trash Clean up and Audit!
Spend the Friday before Earth Day giving back to the earth in the beautiful outdoors! We will hike around Fort Getty and clean up the shores, to help keep our shores, the bay, and all its inhabitants, safe and clean. We will then do a trash audit, gathering data on what types of litter we are finding most frequently, and discuss the issue and solutions being put to work around the world.
• 4/26: Sun and Shadows
Join us in exploring the Sun, as the days continuously get longer, through shadow exploration and harnessing the power of the sun. Learn about how the sun has been a central part of life in the past and in the future!
• 5/3 – Foraging and Fishing
Join us as we learn about how to forage and fish safely and sustainably! – with a focus on removing and eating invasive species to give back to our local ecosystem and help keep it balanced. *Children with their own fishing equipment are welcome to bring it with them!
• 5/24 – How Sailboats Work
Learn the basics of how sailboats work through hands-on activities! We will talk about the forces of buoyancy and lift, put them to practice building our own simple boats, and then go sailing ourselves (if weather allows!)
• 5/31 – Kayaking Exploration
Come spend an afternoon on a Kayaking Adventure! Each child will have the chance to kayak alone, with a partner, or adult, depending on their experience and comfort. We will Explore the areas around the bay and get some good exercise while doing it!
“CISF provides inspiring project-based learning that nurtures creativity, problem-solving, risk-taking, personal accomplishment, collaboration and “aha” moments”
Jane Mitchell, Kindergarten Teacher, Jamestown Melrose School,
“The combination of sailing, marine biology, and art was perfect for both of my kids.”
Parent
Program Payment: By check or credit card via our website.
Scholarship information: CISF scholarship applications will be rolling throughout the year for those who need financial assistance to participate in CISF-offered programs. CISF does not want cost to prevent children from participating in our programs.
To learn more about applying for a scholarship contact Meg Myles, CISFSailing@gmail.com, or fill out an online application: https://www.jamestownsailing.org/secure-scholarship-application/
Scholarships will be awarded based on need.