Learn more about the natural world that surrounds us through summer educational programs at the Center for Coastal Studies (CCS). Starting June 24, CCS offers dozens of fun, low-cost educational programs and guided activities for both children and adults.
At Whale Camp, a perennial favorite, children, ages 8-12, learn about whales, the ocean, and whale research conducted by CCS. They discover what it’s like to disentangle whales, learn to identify whales by their distinctive markings, and create their own whale art. Each camp culminates with a whale watch aboard the Dolphin Fleet. Whale Camp is offered August 3-5 and 10-12.
Other favorites include an expanded schedule of Science in the Harbor Tours. Monday and Friday mornings from July 3 through August 28, CCS naturalists take a science-based look at the story of Provincetown Harbor aboard the famous Dolphin Fleet. Vessels depart MacMillan Pier at 10:30 am. For tickets go to whalewatch.com.
Visitors of all ages can enjoy weekly seal walks in Truro to view gray seals resting at haul-outs, and learn more about the role these animals play in our coastal ecosystem. All walks begin at High Head in Truro in the parking lot off High Head Road.
Junior marine biologists won’t want to miss Get to the Bottom of It, a fun program for children (ages 6-12) who collect samples from shallow beach waters, then use a microscope to take an up-close look at the tiny marine animals that live in the harbor. Junior Rescuer is a chance for youngsters (ages 8-12) to learn about the tools used by the CCS Marine Animal Entanglement Response (MAER) team to free entangled whales and turtles. Both are short programs of about an hour, and cost just $15, or $10 for CCS members.
In a new program, Sea Stewards, young teens (ages 12-15) learn how to become a scientist collecting data using the state-wide Marine Invader Monitoring and Information Collaborative protocol (MIMIC). Sea Stewards is offered on the mornings of July 16 and August 13.
A number of special events are planned for Whale Week, the Center’s annual celebration of the sea, from August 2 through 8. The week kicks off with the Run the Trails for Whales 5K on August 2. Runners enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Province Lands in the Cape Cod National Seashore. A registration fee of $45 supports the CCS’ educational programs, and runners receive a commemorative T-shirt.
Also scheduled during Whale Week is Watching Whales from Shore, a program where participants learn about the whales that live in Cape Cod waters and the research that CCS is doing to protect them, and look for humpback, fin and minke whales from the viewing deck at the Province Land Visitor Center.
Returning this summer, CCS is partnering with the Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill to offer a Photographing Whale Workshop. This two-day workshop invites nature photographers to explore Cape Cod and learn more about photographing these majestic animals. Go to castlehill.org to register.
“Educating the public has always been the Center’s mission the past fifty years, and this summer we are pleased to offer more programs than ever,” said Jesse Mechling, CCS Director of Education.
For a more casual drop-by learning experience, CCS hosts a pop-up educational tent at Head of the Meadow beaches in Truro on Mondays and Thursdays, and at Race Point in Provincetown on Fridays, from 11 am to 3 pm. Staff are on hand to teach visitors about seals, sharks, and the other marine animals that visit Cape Cod waters.
Visitors may also visit the Spinnaker exhibit at the Center’s Hiebert Marine Lab, 5 Holway Avenue, Provincetown. Learn about the fascinating story of Spinnaker, a humpback whale whose skeleton has been reconstructed in the Center’s atrium, Monday through Friday, 1 to 4 pm.
Many of the children’s programs meet at the Center for Coastal Studies’ SEASpace Marine Discovery Center, located at Whaler’s Wharf, 237 Commercial Street, Provincetown, which is open Monday-Friday 11-5 pm beginning June 22. Come in and learn about marine wildlife on the Cape or join one of the weekly programs.
Registration is highly recommended for programs, go to the calendar of events at Coastal Studies website to learn more and to register.