EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Educating Our Community
At the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park, we offer a continuum of experiences designed to nurture future environmental stewards. Our educational programs are held at our Park Campus, Museum Campus, and various off-site locations. Dive into our diverse range of programs and discover the excitement through the links below.
For Educators
Park / Museum Field Trips
Bring your class to Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park for a day of discovery with our school programs. We offer hands-on, inquiry-based education programs that foster positive outdoor experiences and encourage critical thinking
On The Water Field Trips
Embark on AMM’s floating classroom and journey back to 1800s waterfront living. Dive into our immersive, STEM-based program where you’ll dredge for oysters, test water quality above reefs, and explore biodiversity below.
In-School Programs
Explore the essential body parts animals need to survive, from fins to legs. Engage with our aquatic friends to discover their unique differences and similarities to humans. Students will have the opportunity to meet and touch two live animals.
After School Program - Club Chesapeake
Experience hands-on activities that uncover the animals and culture of the Bay. Our programs are led by the AMM Education Team and bring the Bay to you!
For Parents
School's Out Day Camp
At AMM, we fill each day with nature exploration, hands-on environmental education, and FUN! Children can explore our scenic Park Campus with friends, discover local animals, play games, create arts and crafts, and much more! Open to K-5th grade students.
Summer Day Camp
Summer camp at AMM invites children to play and wonder as they explore the world with friends, old and new! Campers will dive into hands-on activities, getting their hands wet and feet muddy while discovering our 12-acre Park campus. This includes wooded trails, a secluded cove, and marsh habitat along the shores of Back Creek.
Kid's Birthday Parties
Looking for a fun and educational spot for your child’s next birthday party? Celebrate with Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park for a Birthday on the Bay! Explore nature trails and our secluded shoreline at our adventure-filled parties on the Park Campus.
Scouts Programs
Meet badge requirements in an engaging and hands-on way. Bring your scouts to AMM! Our programs include outdoor exploration, hands-on activities, experiments, and skill development. Choose from programs specifically designed for badge requirements or explore our family and school programs.
Grant Funded Programs
Little Skipjacks
During this hour-long program, Pre-K students encounter various creatures from oyster reefs, such as small fish, shrimp, and crabs. Staff read “How the Oysters Saved the Bay” and introduce oysters using shells for sensory exploration. Students collaborate to construct an oyster reef and interact with live specimens, observing and discussing differences among them. Each session concludes with a whimsical song about oysters. Little Skipjacks is proudly supported by PNC Grow Up Great.
Chesapeake Champions
The year-long Chesapeake Champions program immerses second-grade students in exploring their connection to the Chesapeake Bay through science, social studies, and art. Students take part in hands-on activities such as growing and planting native Bay species to restore the museum’s Living Shoreline. AMM interacts with each student three times during the program and partners closely with entire second-grade classes from Annapolis Elementary, Eastport Elementary, Hillsmere Elementary, and Riviera Beach Elementary Schools.
Oyster Education Program (OEP)
Through the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park’s Oyster Education Program (OEP), every 6th grader from seven area middle schools (Annapolis Middle School, Bates Middle School, MacArthur Middle School, Monarch Global Academy, Chesapeake Science Point, Northeast Middle, and Meade Middle School) engages in comprehensive environmental education. Students participate in two winter outreach sessions in their classrooms, where they build model oysters, dissect real oysters to study anatomy, and interview local waterman Captain John VanAlstine. In the spring, students visit one of AMM’s campuses for a field trip, including a boat ride to a local oyster reef. The program emphasizes biological, ecological, and cultural concepts related to oysters, aligning with environmental literacy standards. As part of the program, students actively contribute to oyster restoration by planting baby oysters (spat) on a local sanctuary reef. OEP is proudly sponsored by Arundel Community Development Services, Arlington Echo Outdoor School, and Watermark Cruises.
Box of Rain
Box of Rain’s mission is to connect under-resourced youth with the Chesapeake Bay and their maritime heritage through engaging, educational, and immersive nature experiences. This year-round program impacts hundreds of youth aged 8-14, both at the Museum’s Park Campus and on field trips across Anne Arundel County. Programs are crafted to enhance self-esteem, foster essential life skills, and promote personal growth, empowering youth to make positive contributions to their community. Box of Rain offers three core programs: Build-a-Boat, Navigating Tides, and the Summer Maritime Program. Named after the Grateful Dead song ‘Box of Rain,’ the program honors the memory of Lee Griffin, a devoted sailor and cherished member of the Annapolis community.
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Meet Our Educators
Stephanie Pettinga
Education Program Coordinator
Chelsea Grandinetti
Lead Educator
Susan Sanger
Enrichment Program Manager
Marco Rojas
Community Program Manager
