Ocean Classroom Foundation of Boothbay Harbor will be offering a variety of sailing camps and cruises this summer.

The first cruise is available only to community members of the Boothbay region and will depart from New London, Connecticut on Monday, June 15 and arrive in Boothbay Harbor June 19.

Passengers will have the opportunity to become part of the crew, learning everything from celestial navigation to sea shanties, from watching whales to hearing tall tales, and more. The cost is $500 per person or $800 for two family members. Children must be age 12 or older.

The second trip will take place beginning on Monday, June 23 and will include a day of sailing, a Cabbage Island Lobster Bake and then ship, crew and guests will join a parade of windjammers that will be sailing into Boothbay Harbor for Windjammer Days on Tuesday, June 24. The cost for this event is $350 and is available to adults only.

"It is a good opportunity for the crew and will help them to get to know members of the community," said OCF Program Coordinator Alyson Graham.

The first of two sailing camps, Camp Mariner, in association with the Boothbay Region YMCA, will begin on Monday, July 7 at Camp Knickerbocker & Baldwin Adventure Center. The first two days of the camp will include a ropes course, swimming and a team-building exercise. Day three will begin with a day sail on the schooner Spirit of Massachusetts and then, days four and five, will include an overnight sail on the same schooner. The camp will conclude on Friday, July 11.

Camp Mariner gives campers the chance to explore personal challenges and team-building. The experience is sure to provide a taste for adventure and a greater appreciation for life at sea.

The cost for Camp Mariner is $500 for YMCA members and $700 for non-members ages 11-14.

The second camp, Camp Voyager, is a week-long sailing adventure on the schooner Spirit of Massachusetts that will begin on Monday, August 4, and conclude on Sunday, August 10. Campers will stand watch on deck with the professional crew and learn the time-honored arts of the seafarer including sail handling, steering by compass, knots, splices, navigation as well as the opportunity to explore the coast of Maine in a way that they never have before.

They will also have the advantage of observing marine wildlife in their natural habitat, visit historical sites and museums, as well as share sea shanties and stories.

The cost for Camp Voyager is $700 for YMCA members and $1150 for non-members ages 12-15.

Ocean Classroom is a non-profit organization that operates the schooners Harvey Gamage, Spirit of Massachusetts and Westward on voyages of maritime education for the youth of America.

Though authentic in rig and construction, the ships are fitted with modern safety and communications equipment and are fully certified by the United States Coast Guard.

Program courses are taught by Ocean Classroom faculty and by visiting faculty from collaborating institutions.

For more information, go to www.oceanclassroom.org or call 633-2750.