NESS Family Programs
Fall 2015
New England Science & Sailing
70 & 72 Water Street, Stonington, CT 06378
860.535.9362 / www.nessf.org
All students must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older.
Registration is required for all classes:
Register online at http://www.nessf.org/register For a full NESS program listing for all ages visit www.nessf.org Nightlife on the Dock – minimum 6 participants
Thursday; Sept. 10, 5:30-7:00pm
Delve into the night time underwater world! Using NESS’s underwater dock lights we will observe
all the different types of animals that are most active at night. Explore different adaptation
each animals has for survival, and even get a chance to fish! Cost: $20/Participant
Forests, Marshes & Fishes, Oh My! – minimum 6 participants
Saturday; Sept. 12, 10:00-11:30am
Join NESS at Barn Island for a fall family program to learn about our local forests, marshes
and fish! Start off with a short hike (0.5 mile) through the wooded forests of Barn Island to a
nearby marsh. Take a hands-on approach to identifying some of the different types of
plants and wildlife that call the marsh their home. Dive in with our seine net looking for the
many different species of near shore fish that call Barn Island their home. Come dressed to
get wet! Directions given prior to class. Cost: $25/Participant
Family Snorkeling – minimum 6 participants
Saturdays & Sundays; Sept. 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27, 1:00-3:00pm
Jump into the ocean world with your family by safely snorkeling the waters of Fishers
Island Sound! A NESS instructor will guide you through the basics of snorkeling, and will
transport you to remote snorkeling locations by boat. No experience in snorkeling is
necessary, but comfort in the water is a must. Class includes use of a life jacket, mask
and snorkel, and wetsuit. Sign up for some or all sessions. Cost: $30/Participant/Class
Squid Fishing – minimum 6 participants
Early October – Day TBD
The temperatures have dropped and the squid are in. Come see what it's all about in this 2
hour guided program with NESS pro staff fisherman Caleb. Experience this exciting and
unusual fishery. Learn the proper techniques for attracting, hooking and landing squid. With
luck, see the bizarre color changes, flailing tentacles and ability to disappear right before
your eyes. Bring a white t-shirt and get inked! This activity does not last long so make a
reservation now. Cost: $25/Participant
SUP-Yak – minimum 6 participants
Saturdays & Sundays; Oct. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 1:00-3:00pm
Learn how to safely stand up paddle board and kayaking with your family! With the
help of a NESS instructor learn the basic paddle stokes and techniques to enjoy both
water sports. After the basics paddle your way around the warm waters of Little
Narragansett Bay and challenge yourself with new skills, play SUP & Yak games, and
enjoy the company of your family while exploring our local waters. Class includes use
of a life jacket, wetsuit, kayaks, and stand up paddleboards. Cost: $25/Class
Plankton, Plankton, Everywhere! – minimum 6 participants
Saturday; Oct. 17, 10:00-11:30am
Every wonder why the water in Long Island Sound is green, while the water in tropical
waters is blue? Every wonder what a baby lobster looks like? To answer these questions we
will jump into the microscopic world of plankton. Using microscopes, creativity and handson activities we will discover these miraculous creatures. You'll even be able to design and
test out your own plankton in the classes own "Grand Prix" of plankton! Cost: $15/Student,
$5/Parent
Spooky Monsters of the Deep – minimum 6 participants
Thursday; Oct. 29, 5:30-7:00pm
Come and learn the spookiNESS that is deep sea animals. Explore deep sea animals by
learning about the strange adaptations animals have to survive this harsh environment, play a
game to discover how these animals find mates, and use glow-in-the-dark paints to create
your very own deep sea creature. Cost: $15/Student, $5/Parent
Family Geocaching – minimum 6 participants
Saturdays & Sundays; Nov. 14, 15, 21, 22, 1:00-2:30pm
Explore the fun hobby of geocaching! Geocaching is a real life treasure hunt using a
device that has GPS! Join a NESS scientist as we learn rules and etiquette of
geocaching, make an item to let other geocachers know we’ve discovered a
particular treasure and go geocaching! Remember to dress warmly as we will be
outside! Cost: $90/Series, $15/Class
Animals Do What to Survive? – minimum 6 participants
Saturday; Nov. 14, 10:00-11:30am
Animals need to do a lot to survive the harsh environment they live in but what
specifically do marine animals need to do? Come and answer these questions with
some hands on activities with the animals that live at NESS. Learn what and how they
eat, how they move and most importantly how they protect themselves. Afterwards,
show all that you have learned and create your own animal with its own adaptations.
Cost: $15/Student, $5/Parent
Marine Science Ornament Art – minimum 6 participants
Sunday; Dec. 6, 1:00p-2:00p
The holidays are here, but do you miss summer? Bring summer indoors with ornaments
and decorations made with shells and other marine artifacts found on the
beach. Discover what animal each shell came from, how sea glass is formed and how
to tie decorative knots. You may bring your own artifacts or you can use some from our
collection. Cost: $15/Participant