Shoulder Season Programs

Mini Mariners: Explore the Salish Sea

Ages 0–6 & their adult(s) | Thursday, 9:30–11:00 AM | Price: Suggested Donation

Set sail on a shoreline adventure with your little one!

Mini Mariners is a playful, place-based program at the Community Boating Center where young children and their caregivers discover the wonders of the Salish Sea. Each week we’ll gather by the shore for story time, hands-on games, and boat-themed activities that spark curiosity and connection. Together we’ll explore intertidal zones, practice simple knots, search for shore creatures, and celebrate the people and animals who call these waters home.
Designed especially for ages 0–6, this program invites families to slow down, explore at a child’s pace, and connect with the shoreline through storytelling, movement, and discovery. We meet rain or shine — just like true sailors!

Registration & Donation

This program is offered for free with a suggested donation of $10/person or $20/family. It is pay-what-you-can, and while any donation amount is appreciated, donations are not required to register or participate

What’s Included

  • Weekly storytime featuring Salish Sea–themed books

  • Guided shoreline exploration and intertidal zone discovery

  • Hands-on boat-themed games and activities designed for ages 0–6

  • Introduction to simple knots and boating basics through play

  • Nature-based crafts and take-home activities

  • Opportunities for caregivers and children to learn together at a relaxed, child-friendly pace

  • A welcoming community of families exploring the Salish Sea together

Paddle Pals

Ages 6+ • $200 • 12 hours over four Thursdays

The Paddle Pals program designed to provide kayak programming to local Bellingham students. Over the course of four weeks, participants will understand the basics of kayak-based travel and recreation. This course is designed for the next generation of coastal explorers to hone their skills and develop a growing relationship with Bellingham Bay and other aquatic resources.

Students will learn:

  • Basics of kayaking

  • Self rescue techniques

  • Critter identification

  • Skills pertinent to trip planning

Please email Reed at reed@boatingcenter.org for more information.

Youth Rentals


Join us every Thursday afternoon for our youth rental hours, designed for ages 8-17. This is a perfect opportunity for young mariners to experience Bellingham Bay independently, with staff over-site!

Note: This is not a class, no hard skills will be taught. The youth skippering sailboats are required to have passed a skills test.