New Program for Middle Schoolers Combines Kayaking & Marine Science
Introducing SEEK: A Coastal Science & Kayaking Program for Middle Schoolers
Portland Paddle is partnering with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution this summer to offer an exciting new program: SEEK, a week-long kayak and coastal science program for local 7th and 8th graders. SEEK stands for Science, Exploration, and Education from a Kayak. Students will spend five days on Casco Bay and the surrounding coastline with a coastal scientist and a kayak guide, paddling, exploring beaches and marshes, and learning firsthand how coastal ecosystems work.
The program runs August 3–7, 2026 (Monday through Friday), 8:30am. to 4:00pm, meeting each morning at Portland Paddle’s main site at the East End Beach in Portland. On some days the group will load into a van and head to nearby coastal areas for exploration. All kayaks, safety gear, and instruction are provided. Lunch is included every day. And the program is completely free.
Spots are limited. If you know a Portland-area 7th or 8th grader who would thrive in a program like this, please encourage them to fill out the interest form linked below. For questions, contact program coordinator Julia Guimond at [email protected] or (508) 289-3492.
