Welcome. We offer a variety of dockside and sailing programs at the Maritime Museum for Scouting and other youth organizations. While some of our programs may be designed for specific scouting requirements, all programs can be tailored to your schedule and age group. Please scroll through the list of programs below and if you would like further information on these programs, please contact the Education office.
- Adventure Tour
- Adventure Tour Overnight Option
- Ahoy Brownies and Cub Scouts! “Introduction to Sailing Ships”
- Californian Challenge–One Day/Multi-Day/Weeklong
- Californian Challenge-Catalina Sail
- Days of Oar-Rowing
- Oceanography Merit Badge
- Oceanography Merit Badge Overnight Options
- Scout Sail
Adventure Tour:
Day or Overnight Program Minimum of 9 years old.
The Adventure Tour offers a variety of hands-on activities at our Museum. This program can be tailored to your schedule and age group, so you have some options with the activities.
The program can include:
- Guided tour by our Education staff of the Star of India (World’s oldest active tall-ship) with a sail raising activity
- Rowing lesson and rowing out on San Diego Bay aboard one of our longboats
- Black powder gun or cannon demonstration on the Museum barge
- Add a 45 minute tour around San Diego Bay on the historic 1914 Pilot Boat for $10 a participant
Contact for pricing and availability.
Adventure Tour Overnight Option:
This program can be followed up with a Sleepover aboard one of our Tall Ships. Participants will continue the program with more activities, have dinner and breakfast, and sleep aboard either the Star of India, HMS Surprise, or Californian (Ship dependent on availability). There are no age restrictions to this program, siblings are welcome as well. The minimum/maximum number of participants to book an overnight option is 20/50.
Contact for pricing and availability.
– Back To Top –
Ahoy Brownies and Cub Scouts! “Introduction to Sailing Ships”
This two hour program introduces Brownies and Cub Scouts to the salty world of sailing ships! They will explore the 1863 barque Star of India through a scavenger hunt, and learn the parts of a ship through a coloring activity in this fun-filled and educational workshop. In addition, our instructors will teach the scouts shipboard directions and spin them a yarn before they jump ship! For more hands-on activities, please see our Adventure Tour.
The total cost of the program is $28 a scout, $20 and adult. Scout leader/organizer would be free.
All ages are welcome, the minimum/maximum number of scouts to book a program is 15/30.
This program is 2 hours long.
– Back To Top –
Californian Challenge
The Californian Challenge provides our most extensive opportunity to participate in team-building activities aboard our historic vessels. This program can vary from 1-5 days.
Our one day Californian Challenge starts around 9:00am and the morning session consists of tours of the ships, rowing in the Bay, and climbing out (in climbing harnesses) on the Californian’s jibboom. This will prepare the scouts for sailing the tall-ship Schooner Californian in the afternoon. This program is from 9am to 4pm. Cost: $100 per participant (adult and youth), Organizer is free.
This can be tailored into an overnight program and sleeping aboard either the Star of India, or Californian (Ship dependent on availability). Dinner and breakfast are provided by us. This program is from 9am until 9am the following day. Cost: $200 per participant.
Our weekend (multi-day) Californian Challenge would involve arriving at the Maritime Museum in the late afternoon/evening of Day 1 and sleeping two nights aboard either the Star of India, HMS Surprise, or Californian (Ship dependent on availability). Breakfast the next two days would be provided by us. The first morning would be a tour of the Museum, sail training and rowing. There would be at least an hour break for lunch (on your own). The afternoon will be sailing on the Californian. In the evening we would provide dinner. The next day we would row and build upon team building activities with lunch provided by us. This would conclude around 1:00pm. Check-in: 6-8pm Day 1. Check-out 1pm Day 3. Cost: email for pricing & availability. Click here to send email
Our weeklong (5 days, 6 nights) Californian Challenge is a “camp-style” program where participants live aboard one of our dock-side tall ships during the duration of the program. Meals are provided by us. Extensive sail training will be conducted throughout the week including training in climbing aloft. This prepares participants for a 6 hour ocean sail on the Californian on the final day. Activities during the week include rowing, blackpowder gun firing, guided hikes at Cabrillo National Monument, Safety at Sea training, and many more. Cost: email for pricing & availability. Click here to send email
This program is suited for ages 13 and above (please contact us in regards to age waivers), the minimum number of participants to book a program is 26.
– Back To Top –
Californian Challenge-Catalina Sail
Sail on the Californian for a 4 day adventure and explore Catalina while living aboard a top-sail schooner. Participants will be divided into “watches” and assist in sailing the ship. Onboard education staff will be teaching the scoutss about oceanography, astronomy, and the history of exploration along the Pacific Coast. Activities at Catalina Island include hiking, and kayaking.
All onboard meals, Kayaks, life vests, paddles, safety equipment, and ACA certified kayaking instructor and tour guide are included.
This program is suited for ages 13 and above
Contact for pricing and availability. Click here to send email
– Back To Top –
Days of Oar-Rowing
Generally conducted over 5 days, this program offers rowing instruction and teambuilding aboard the Museum’s collection of historic longboats. Get out on the water and foster water safety, self reliance, communication, the spirit of adventure and team work. Maritime skills taught through the practice of long boat rowing accomplishes many personal developmental goals while kids have fun on the water. Discover the traditions and history of rowing in San Diego, and then take off on an adventure row and picnic on San Diego Bay.
Contact for pricing and availability. Click here to send email
– Back To Top –
Oceanography Merit Badge
This 4 hour program will allow Scouts to complete the Oceanography Merit Badge. A certified Merit Badge counselor will assist the Scouts as they perform plankton tows and water analysis.
Cost: $54 per scout, $24 per adult. Scout leader/organizer would be free.
This program generally begins at 9am but later start times can be arranged. All ages are welcome, the minimum number of scouts to book a program is 10.
– Back To Top –
Oceanography Merit Badge Overnight Options
This program can be followed up with a Sleepover aboard one of our Tall Ships. Scouts will participate in activities, have dinner and breakfast, and sleep aboard either the Star of India, HMS Surprise, or Californian (Ship dependent on availability). The minimum/maximum number of participants to book an overnight option is 20/50.
Sail and Sleepover: Call for availbility.
– Back To Top –
Scout Sail
Scouts set a course for adventure aboard the state of California’s official tall ship, Californian! This 135 foot traditional schooner takes scouts out for a three-hour sail, where they will learn important safety guidelines, line handling and knot tying. They will also work as a crew; setting sail, and manning the helm. This program will emphasize teamwork and the importance of personal responsibility.
The total cost of the program is $2175 for up to 40 participants. This program generally runs 9:00am-12:00pm, but earlier/later start times can be arranged. We suggest a minimum age of 8 years old.
– Back To Top –