Close-up shot of a vibrant damselfly with colorful wings, perching on a rock outdoors.

Floating CLassroom

Join Save The River on a day camp adventure that takes place both on land and aboard a boat as we travel the Thousand Islands! Educators and guest speakers from across the region will teach the river rats 🐀about a variety of environmental topics using a range of activities across several different sites along the upper St. Lawrence River region. Depending on the date, these guest speakers will include representatives from the TI Biological Station, the US Coast Guard, the NYS DEC, the Thousand Islands Land Trust, the ADK Watershed Institute, the Minna Anthony Common Nature Center, and the Antique Boat Museum! #TeamRiver! 🌊

Each camp day runs from 9 am to 3:30 pm, with pickup and dropoff sites varying by date. Each camp is for youth only, and is designed for select grade ranges (sorry parents!).  Students are expected to bring their own lunch, drinks, and snacks. Drinking water will be provided (just not in plastic bottles).

With a maximum capacity of 35 students per day, registration is limited and costs $30 per student. Reach out to us if you’re interested in our low-income discount, only available thanks to the generous support of Paul J. Jr. & Susie Regan in honor of lifelong educator Linda Stundtner ❤️

Camp Dates & Activities

Middle-High School students, ages 12-17

Thursday, July 2nd

9:00 am drop-off will be at the Discovery Center, located within the Thousand Islands Land Trust by the Clayton Village Docks.

3:30 pm pickup will be at the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton.

On July 2nd, middle and high school students will get a crash course on the St. Lawrence River ecosystem at the Thousand Islands Land Trust’s new Discovery Center before taking a boat ride to the Thousand Islands Biological Station on Governor’s Island! There, they’ll learn from university scientists led by the esteemed Dr. John Farrell about their research into fisheries, river health, and invasive species through a series of hands-on lessons and activities. After taking lunch aboard one of Clayton Island Tours’ boats during a guided tour of the Thousand Islands, the students will disembark at the Antique Boat Museum. There, they’ll enjoy a variety of interactive programs, including an Aquatic ROV exploration session with the USCG’s Marine Safety Unit and a Mock Oil Spill Cleanup lesson with a specialist from the DEC’s Spill Response Division! Throughout the day, Save The River will also be running a selection of our most popular educational programs!

Visit our events page to register!

Students measure a catfish alongside staff at the thousand Islands Biological Station

Elementary students, ages 6-11

Thursday, July 30th

9:00 am drop-off will be at the Discovery Center, located within the Thousand Islands Land Trust by the Clayton Village Docks.

3:30 pm pickup will be at the Minna Anthony Common Nature Center in Wellesley Island State Park.

On July 30th, elementary students will get a crash course on the St. Lawrence River ecosystem at the Thousand Islands Land Trust’s new Discovery Center before taking a boat ride to Grindstone Island, where TILT’s Community Engagement Coordinator will take them on a guided hike along their beautiful Grindstone Island Nature Trail, which connects Canoe Point and Picnic Point State Parks. After taking lunch aboard Clayton Island Tour’s glass-bottom boat during a guided tour of the Thousand Islands, the students will disembark at the Minna Anthony Common Nature Center on Wellesley Island. There, they’ll enjoy a variety of educational games and lessons, including an exploration of the Nature Center’s Pollinator House and a special “Wool & Water” art project led by Paul Smith’s College’s ADK Watershed Institute!  Throughout the day, Save The River will also be running a selection of our most popular educational programs!

Visit our events page to register!

Middle-High School students, ages 12-17

Thursday, August 13th

9:00 am dropoff will be at the Discovery Center, located within the Thousand Islands Land Trust by the Clayton Village Docks.

3:30 pm pickup will be at the Minna Anthony Common Nature Center in Wellesley Island State Park.

On August 13th, middle and high school students will get a crash course on the St. Lawrence River ecosystem at the Thousand Islands Land Trust’s new Discovery Center before taking a boat ride to Rock Island Lighthouse State Park, where Park Keepers will walk them through the history of the island and take them up into the lighthouse itself, before challenging them to their famous Pirate Treasure Hunt! After taking lunch aboard Clayton Island Tour’s glass-bottom boat during a guided tour of the Thousand Islands, with an emphasis on local shipwrecks and ruins, the students will disembark at the Minna Anthony Common Nature Center on Wellesley Island. There, they’ll enjoy a variety of interactive programs, including a guided hike by one of the Nature Center’s Environmental Educators and a Mock Oil Spill Cleanup lesson with a specialist from the DEC’s Spill Response Division!  Throughout the day, Save The River will also be running a selection of our most popular educational programs!

Visit our events page to register!

Elementary students, ages 6-11

Wednesday, August 19th

9:00 am dropoff and

 3:30 pm pickup will both be at the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton.

On August 19th, elementary students will split the day between a variety of educational games and lessons at the Antique Boat Museum and Canoe-Picnic Point State Park, shuttling to and from via ABM’s beloved Zipper Commuter Yacht as they tour the Thousand Islands. Some of the activity highlights include a sensory hike along the Grindstone Island Nature Trail, controlling an aquatic ROV to explore underwater environments, guided fishing lessons along the ABM docks, and using microscopes to study the tiny benthic macroinvertebrates and what they can tell us about the River’s health!  Throughout the day, Save The River will also be running a selection of our most popular educational programs!

Visit our events page to register!

Registration

2025 Floating Classroom Camp Registration. Please stop by our storefront, call (315) 686-2010, or email education@savetheriver.org with any questions.

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Please submit multiple forms if you are signing-up more than one student. 

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Which Floating Classroom Camp are they joining?

All camps run from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Drop-off and pick-up locations vary by camp.

Grades 1–5 — August 14 at the Antique Boat Museum
A day of boat and fishing activities, including a ride on Zipper and hands-on games designed for younger students. Check-in: Antique Boat Museum, Clayton. Capacity: 34 students.

Middle & High School — August 4 at MAC Nature Center
Ecology-focused activities and presentations about the Upper St. Lawrence River. Check-in: Clayton Island Tours at 9 AM. Pick-up: MAC Nature Center, Wellesley Island at 3:30 PM. Capacity: 34 students.

Participant Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk Agreement required

I, the parent and/or guardian of the Participant, acknowledge, appreciate, and agree that:

  1. There is a risk of bodily injury, deat,h and/or property damage resulting from my participation in the Program.

  2. The Participant KNOWING AND FREELY ASSUMES ALL SUCH RISKS, both known and unknown, and assumes full responsibility for my participation and that of minors in my charge.

  3. The Participant willingly agrees to comply with terms and conditions for participation willingly agree to comply with the stated terms and conditions of participation and to wear a properly fitted and fastened life jacket on the dock and in the vessel, and follow the directions of the Program leader.

  4. I, for myself and on behalf of my heirs, assigns, personal representatives and next of kin, HEREBY RELEASE, INDEMNIFY, AND HOLD HARMLESS SAVE THE RIVER, INC., its officers, officials, agents and/or employees, other participants, sponsors, advertisers, and, if applicable, owners and lessors of premises or equipment used to conduct the Program (“Releases”) from any and all claims, demands, losses, and liability arising out of or related to any INJURY, DISABILITY OR DEATH the participant may suffer, or loss or damage to person or property to the fullest extent permitted by law.

This is to certify that I, as parent/guardian with legal responsibility for this Participant do consent and agree to his / her release as provided above of all Releasees and, for myself, my heirs, assigns and next of kin, I release from any and all claims, demands, losses, and liability arising out of my minor child’s involvement or participation in the Program as provided above to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Photo Release required

This is to certify that I, as parent/guardian with legal responsibility for this Participant, do consent and agree to the use of the Participant’s photograph.

Said photographs and/or digital images may be used for advertising, marketing, and educational purposes, including, but not limited to, print media, brochures, newsletters, videos, CDs, and webpages.

I hereby waive, release, and forever discharge Save The River, Inc. from any and all claims of liability arising from the use of my Participant’s image for the above purpose.

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