Teen Summer Expeditions

Unforgettable adventures for intrepid teens, ages 13-16.

Led by professional instructors and experts, we set a course in our fleet of watercraft—or in your own handmade kayak—and make our way over Lake Champlain, on the water by day and camping outside each night.

All Expeditions combine advanced paddling, outdoor wilderness skills, and explorations into the ecology, culture, and history of the lake. An enthusiasm for team-focused cooperation, multiple days of paddling and camping, and the great outdoors is required!

Champlain Discovery

June 17 - July 20, 2019

Image of boys putting their kayaks into the water. A Lake Champlain Maritime Museum summer expedition.

Are you an adventurer and a maker? Join us for five weeks to build your own 17’ kayak and take it for a multi-day journey on Lake Champlain.

Description

This epic expedition starts with a three-week day camp session as boatbuilders and outdoor experts work with you as you build your own boat and learn advanced paddling and wilderness skills.

Once kayaks are complete, we launch for a 10-day adventure from Whitehall, NY to Burlington, VT, stopping along the way to explore, learn, and camp.

Combining woodworking, lessons, and ecological and historical explorations this expedition lets you do the impossible: build your own kayak and use it to paddle and camp your way around Lake Champlain.

Qualifications for participation are:

  • Must be 13-16 years old.
  • Must have enthusiasm and desire to build a
    kayak, and then go paddling and camping for
    10 days.
  • Must want to work cooperatively with others to
    accomplish a common goal.

Tuition: $2950 
Apply now. Financial Aid is available!

Have a question? Contact Nick Patch!
802-475-2022 x 113 | nickp@lcmm.org

Apply Now!
Image of young man preparing breakfast at camp. A Lake Champlain Maritime Museum summer expedition.

Who

For all teens 13-16 years old.

When

  • Boat building: June 18 - July 12
  • Kayak trip: July 12 - July 21

Click the images to see a larger version. 

Image of camper building a kayak during Champlain Discovery, a Lake Champlain Maritime Museum summer expedition.
Building your own kayak is both fun and rewarding. And you get to take the kayak home with you at the end of the trip!
Image of boys sanding their kayaks during Champlain Discovery, a Lake Champlain Maritime Museum summer expedition.

You'll learn how to safely use hand power tools as you build your kayak.

Image of girl holding a kayak steady while a boy climbs into it during Champlain Discovery, a Lake Champlain Maritime Museum summer expedition.
Part of kayaking is learning how to do a wet exit and how to get back into your boat!
Image of boy smiling while paddling his kayak on Lake Champlain during Champlain Discovery, a Lake Champlain Maritime Museum summer expedition.
The real test of your kayak building skills comes next. The 10 day expedition along the shoreline of Lake Champlain!
Image of boy covered with beach pebbles - only his head shows during Champlain Discovery, a Lake Champlain Maritime Museum summer expedition.
There will be time to clown around and have fun with friends.
Image of kids enjoying a sunset together during Champlain Discovery, a Lake Champlain Maritime Museum summer expedition.
And of course, there will be many wonderful sights to see and keep as memories for years to come.

Apply now. Financial Aid is available!

Have a question? Contact Nick Patch!
802-475-2022 x 113 | nickp@lcmm.org

Apply Now!

Wind, Oar, Explore

July 12-19, 2019

Image of explorers carrying the boat to the water during Expedition Champlain, one of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum's summer expeditions.

Explore the water, wind, and waves of Lake Champlain, from the oars of a traditional wooden whaleboat.

Description

Great for anyone interested in an adventure and a challenge, this expedition is a team effort as we set out from our campus in Vergennes and work together to row and sail whaleboats north along the Vermont coastline.

An eight-day journey: we work as a team to become master sailors, learn maritime and wilderness skills, camp and cook as we go, and experience Lake Champlain’s culture and nature first-hand.

Qualifications for participation are:

  • Must be 13-16 years old.
  • Must have enthusiasm to row and camp for 7 days along Lake Champlain.
  • Must want to work cooperatively with others to
    accomplish a common goal.

Price: $1000
Apply now. Financial Aid is available!

Have a question? Contact Nick Patch!
802-475-2022 x 113 | nickp@lcmm.org

Apply Now!
Image of explorers rowing a pilot gig during Expedition Champlain, one of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum's summer expeditions.

Who

For all teens 13-16 years old.

When

  • July 12-19, 2019

Click the images to see a larger version. 

Image of campers and staff sailing the whale boat.
Image of explorers sitting on the beach relaxing after a long day of rowing.
Image of explorers preparing dinner during Expedition Champlain, one of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum's summer expeditions.
Image of explorers rowing the whaleboat out into the broad lake.
Image of kids sailing in the whaleboat on Lake Champlain.
Image of the explorers standing on a dock during their trip.

Apply now. Financial Aid is available!

Have a question? Contact Nick Patch!
802-475-2022 x 113 | nickp@lcmm.org

Apply Now!

Expedition Champlain

July 27 - August 3, 2019

Image of explorers carrying the boat to the water during Expedition Champlain, one of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum's summer expeditions.

Build your rowing skills and navigate the waters of Lake Champlain over the course of eight days.

Description

An expedition balancing exploration and wilderness skills: join five other crew members in one of our 32’ traditional wooden rowing gigs as we set out northward bound from Vergennes.

Each day we row during the day and camp along the shore at night – exploring the cultural and ecological heritage of Lake Champlain and growing our outdoor wilderness skills.

Come prepared for hard work, new friends, strong team building, and beautiful scenery!

Qualifications for participation are:

  • Must be 13-16 years old.
  • Must have enthusiasm to row and camp for
    7 days along Lake Champlain.
  • Must want to work cooperatively with others to
    accomplish a common goal.

Price: $1000
Apply now. Financial Aid is available!

Have a question? Contact Nick Patch!
802-475-2022 x 113 | nickp@lcmm.org

Apply Now!
Image of explorers rowing a pilot gig during Expedition Champlain, one of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum's summer expeditions.

Who

For all teens 13-16 years old.

When

  • July 27 - August 3, 2019

Click the images to see a larger version. 

Image of campers and staff preparing to launch a gig during Expedition Champlain, one of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum's summer expeditions.
Getting ready to shove off for seven days of adventure!
Image
Cool down by jumping into the lake - rowing is hard work!
Image of explorers preparing dinner during Expedition Champlain, one of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum's summer expeditions.
Everyone takes turns at helping with the meals. It's a communal effort!
Image of explorers resting in the gig during Expedition Champlain, one of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum's summer expeditions.
Soak up some sunshine during a break from rowing!
Image of a reflection on the sun glasses of an explorer, of another explorer passing an oar during Expedition Champlain, one of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum's summer expeditions.
Artistic photography!
Image of one of the pilot gigs on the beach in the sunshine during Expedition Champlain, one of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum's summer expeditions.
We beach the gigs at the end of the day then set up camp for a well-deserved rest.

Apply now. Financial Aid is available!

Have a question? Contact Nick Patch!
802-475-2022 x 113 | nickp@lcmm.org

Apply Now!