Come learn about history and environmental science aboard the AJ Meerwald, New Jersey’s official tall ship! Bring your family and friends out for an educational day on the water!
What is an Education Sail?
Our 2-hour Education Sails on the AJ Meerwald provide you the opportunity to learn about the history and ecology of the Bayshore while sailing on New Jersey’s official tall ship! In addition to our normal history presentation, we will be presenting a series of workshops focusing on marine science. All activities are hands-on and interactive.
Home Port Education Sails – Departing from Port Norris, NJ (May 1st – June 5th, 2026)
Our Home Port Education Sails (Field Trips) include a sail aboard our historic schooner, AJ Meerwald with hands-on interactive stations while sailing and land based hands on education stations in the Delaware Bay Museum. Education programs for a hands-on experience that combines the science of our environment and history of our unique maritime industry.
This 4 hour program includes a 2 hour sail aboard AJ Meerwald, a restored 1928 oyster schooner, and a 2 hour portion in the museum. The education sail takes students through hands-on activities such as raising the sails, casting a trawl net, fish identification, and more. They also experience Silent Observation to experience being under sail, and the sights and sounds of the Delaware Estuary. On land, students rotate through stations in the Delaware Bay Museum, observing and using artifacts, and exploring oyster dissection.
Our lesson content supports New Jersey Student STEM Learning Standards for science and social studies, with an emphasis on standards from grades 4 through 6.
*Content within the program can be adjusted to your group’s grade level and interests.*
Every student leaves with a personal connection to our local waterways (Maurice River & Delaware Bay), and an understanding that they can make a difference in protecting our natural resources.
Education Sail Pricing
Cost: $1,500 per sail/group of 45 students/chaperones.
Capacity: 45 persons (42 students – 3 Chaperones)
Two groups, with a total of 90 passengers, may be accommodated on the same visit day by alternating land and vessel groups. Cost for 90 students/chaperones – $3,000.
Booking Information
To begin registration, please submit this Registration form
Once a date is selected, you will receive a contract and invoice.
A signed and returned contract holds the date for 30 days. *Dates are not held without a returned contract.*
We ask for a 50% deposit, or a PO for the full amount, within 30 days to complete registration.
Find our Port Schedule Here