CISF offers an array of enriching programs for home-schooled students ages 5 – 17 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.
When: Thursday, 9/3 (2-4pm)
Where: CISF Campus @ Ft. Getty
All are welcome to attend. Whether you are a long time participant or have never been a part of our programs, this is a great time to meet other families and get a taste of our program and location, and what is to come in the year ahead. We hope to see you there!
Ages: 13-17
Cost: $250
Where: CISF Tent @ Ft. Getty
When: Mondays 12 – 3 PM
5 weeks: April 20th – May 18th
Ages 5-15
Cost: $35/session
Fridays, 12 – 3pm
9/11: Sailing 101
Come and spend an afternoon learning the basics of sailing on our Hobie Wave Catamarans! We will cover the basics of how sailboats work, how to steer, tack, and gybe, and just enjoy being out on the bay!
9/18: Intro to Watersports
Come and spend an afternoon trying different watersports with us! We will have paddleboards, kayaks, and peddle kayaks for all to try and enjoy being on the water!
9/25: Salt Marsh Biodiversity
Salt Marshes are an extremely important habitat home to hundreds of different species of plants, animals, and other creatures. We will spend the afternoon at the Fox Hill Salt Marsh exploring and identifying as many species as possible during the low tide!
10/2: Intro to Fishing
Learn the basics of fishing! We will spend the afternoon practicing catch and release fishing, and learning about what kind of fish live in the bay. Rods and bait will be provided but children are welcome to bring their own.
10/9: All About Green Crabs
Join us as we learn about how to forage safely and sustainably – with a focus on the abundance of edible plant life all around us in the spring. Youth will have an opportunity to practice basic cooking skills as we prepare some food with what we harvest.
5/15: 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 hopefully go sailing ourselves (if weather allows!)
Ages 6-10
Cost: $130/session (5 weeks)
When: Wednesdays, 12 – 2pm
This program is for all kids who love to be outside, and learn in Nature! Every day we will hike to and explore a different habitat, such as: rocky shores, wooded areas, sandy beaches, and the salt marsh! Each day will include opportunities for free play, creating in nature, teamwork and communication through group games and activities, and learning about the different creatures that live at Ft Getty in different habitats.
Ages 5-15
Cost: $35/session
Fridays, 12 – 3pm
10/23: Creating with Nature
Spend an afternoon with us creating and building with nature! We will complete creative challenges both on the beach, and in the woods, with all the beauty nature provides!
10/30: Orienteering 101
We will learn the basics of how to use a compass and map, and complete and create orienteering challenges around Fort Getty!
11/6 – Microscopic Life!
Come and learn about the tiny creatures that live all around us! We will explore the coast and wooded areas, gather specimens, water, and soil samples, and get to look at our findings under microscopes.
11/13: Simple Machines
We will learn about different types of simple machines, and complete engineering challenges to practice using them to solve problems.
11/20: Naturalist Illustration
Practice being a naturalist by observing, learning about, and drawing different living things around Fort Getty. We will learn how to find, safely catch, identify, and look closely at different living species, and then practice observing by drawing and labeling them as we adventure around Fort Getty!
Ages 8-13
Tuesdays 10:30 – 3 pm, Thursdays 12:30 – 3 pm
Cost: $455 / 5 week session
Schedule: 10 Weeks each in the spring and fall, 6-8 weeks of lighter programming through the winter
This program is currently full, with a group of returning participants. If you are interested in your child joining this program, you can add them to the waitlist (more information about the program is stated there). When a spot opens up I will reach out to the waitlist to fill it. We do give priority to those who have been participating in our other programs previously. If you are on the waitlist, but have never participated in one of our programs, we advise signing up for one or two Friday Explorations to get a feel for our culture and if the program will be a good fit for your child! Or attending our homeschool open house in September or March. If a spot temporarily opens up (aka someone is away for a session and won’t be able to attend) We can give that spot to someone on the waitlist temporarily, as well.
This is a master running waitlist for all sessions. Once your child has been added to the waitlist they are on it for good, until they are either added into the program or removed from the list. If you are unsure if your child is on the waitlist or are wondering about the chances of them getting in, you can email Fiona@JamestownSailing.Org.
This winter we will have a three week short December session (11/30-12/18), and four week session in February (exact dates tbd). Registration for December programs will open before Thanksgiving. February session registration will open in late January. Nature Explorers and Friday Explorations will definitely be offered in these winter sessions. We will also be adding a High School Lab program this Winter or Spring, when our wet lab is ready for action! More programming may be added closer to the registration date.
Ages 13-17
Cost: $250/session
When: Mondays 12-3 pm
5 weeks
This program is for high school aged homeschool students who want to dive deeper into Marine Biology, and gain skills working in a lab. This five week session will focus on researching and gathering data on a hypothesis of the group’s choice, with time spent on the coast observing and recording data, as well as time in our new wet lab. Participants will gain skills in using a variety of lab equipment and tools, designing and carrying out an experiment, and gathering and recording data. And, of course, get to spend time enjoying and exploring the coast, and all the incredible creatures we can find there!
This is a tentative schedule for what programs you can expect us to offer over this school year. Minor adjustments may occur before registration opens for a season, and more programs may be added. For timely program updates, you can join the homeschool email list by emailing Fiona@Jamestownsailing.Org.
