The program sponsored by Save the Harbor/Save the Bay wraps up August 23.
This July, 35 youth from Eastie Farm joined over 154 other young people from East Boston families enjoying free cruises with Save the Harbor/Save the Bay to Georges and Spectacle Islands. So far nearly 4,000 youth and families have joined Save the Harbor’s free All Access Boston Harbor Cruises this summer, with dozens more trips planned through August and September.
“It’s easy to forget that there are spectacular parks and islands right here in Boston Harbor thanks to the success of the Boston Harbor Cleanup,” said Save the Harbor Executive Director Chris Mancini. “Since they are here for everyone, we figured we’d offer the boat rides out there for free. And what better way to beat the heat than a swim in the clear waters at the beach on Spectacle Island or exploring the ghost stories in the ‘Dark Tunnel’ of Fort Warren.”
All Access cruises begin each in July and run every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday through August 22nd. The program welcomes about 500 kids and families daily from around the region to the Leader Bank Pavilion or Fan Pier before departing for the islands.
Just before departure, Save The Harbor’s lively Harbor Historian David Coffin adds upbeat education to the day, sharing Spectacle Island’s history as a landfill on fire before becoming the beautiful park it is today. “It’s one of my favorite stories to share with the kids,” said Coffin. “And it helps them really grasp the importance of the park’s carry-in, carry-out policy. It’s one of the learning experiences that goes home with them, encouraging the next generation of environmental stewards.”
The trips also offer leadership training for Boston Public School students who organize and run the excursions through Save the Harbor’s Youth Jobs Program. Once on the island, the young adult staff lead fun, STEAM-based education activities like Fishing 101, the Treasures of Spectacle Island archaeology exploration, coastline eco-hunts, and hikes through Fort Warren on Georges or to the top of Spectacle’s drumlins for a great view of the Boston Skyline and the outer harbor.
“We’re particularly proud that All Access offers guided audio tours and information about the islands in six languages,” said Deputy Director Kristen Barry. “This way, native speakers of Mandarin, Spanish, Cape Verdean Creole, Vietnamese, and Haitian Creole can more easily participate in our programs.”
“All Access isn’t just a name,” she emphasized. “It’s a mission truly enacted throughout every Save The Harbor program.”
Mancini went on to note that these free cruises are possible through leadership support and partnership from Liberty Mutual, Bay State Cruise Company, Mass Bay Lines and the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
“We have so many partners and funders to thank beyond those key leaders,” Mancini continued. “We are grateful for the sustained support from the Healey/Driscoll Administration, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Coca-Cola Company, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Eastern Salt Company, Encore Boston Harbor, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, JetBlue, John Hancock Financial Services, Massport, the Mass Cultural Council, National Grid, and the hundreds of individual donors who support the organization.”
Mancini also thanked Amazon, Bay State Cruise Company, BXP – Atlantic Wharf, the City of Boston Department of Youth Engagement and Employment, Boston Consulting Group, the Comcast Foundation, Constellation Generation, the Daily Catch, Hood Park, Income Research and Management Charitable Trust, Leader Bank Pavilion/Live Nation, Massachusetts Bay Lines, Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, the New England Revolution, Nutter, P & G Gillette, Pembroke Real Estate, Lawrence J. and Anne Rubenstein Charitable Foundation, RWE Clean Energy, William E. Schrafft & Bertha E. Schrafft Charitable Trust, Clinton H. & Wilma T. Shattuck Charitable Trust, Copeland Family Foundation, Lovett Woodsum Foundation, Pabis Foundation, Rockland Trust, Ms. Wallace M. Leonard Foundation, and Vertex.
All Access Boston Harbor trips are free and open to all to join through Save the Harbor’s website, along with other evening and weekend Share the Harbor tours.
To learn more about Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s free All Access Boston Harbor excursions or upcoming free events on the waterfront or your favorite beach, visit their website at www.savetheharbor.org/freecruises and follow @savetheharbor on social media. Join in on the fun this August and sign up for a free cruise today!
