CAMBRIDGE – It was a very busy summer for the Dorchester Skipjack Committee, owner of the Nathan of Dorchester and local nonprofit ShoreRivers. In addition to both organizations’ normal summer programming, they partnered to develop and execute the “Junior Crew Program” on the Nathan.

The goal was to provide a multi-day experience introducing Junior Crew participants to skipjacks, oysters and the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay and Choptank River. The participants were middle and high school students who attended Dream Big Academy as part of Moving Dorchester Forward.

The program was based at the Packing House but included multiple field trips. The youth sailed the Nathan three times, helping crew with key functions on the boat. For many, this was their first experience on a sailing vessel or any type of boat.

The Junior Crew also spent time with ShoreRivers — whose members work to protect and restore Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration and education — learning about water ecology. An excursion to the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Horn Point Lab included the opportunity to go canoeing, a tour of their oyster hatchery and a chance to look at phytoplankton under a microscope.

“ShoreRivers was excited about the opportunity to partner with the Nathan of Dorchester and Dream Big Academy and to develop a program that would connect young people in Cambridge to their local waterways,” said Paige Dempsey, education programs coordinator at ShoreRivers.

Junior Crew members also heard from several guest speakers throughout the program. Imani Black, founder and CEO of Minorities in Aquaculture, shared an introduction to aquaculture and her work in the industry with them.

Vincent Legget, founder of Blacks of the Chesapeake Bay, spoke about knowing and understanding history. His talk highlighted the ways in which all waterways are interconnected, from the Choptank River to the Chesapeake Bay to oceans across the world.

“The Choptank River can lead anywhere they strive to go in life,” a statement from the Skipjack Committee said.

Through a partnership with Richardson Maritime Museum, students learned about how to build a model boat at the Ruark Boatworks. Each Junior Crew member crafted a boat while practicing skills like measuring, cutting and fastening pieces of wood.

“Feedback from the students was great. Having fun while doing new activities and learning about the ecology of our community were just a few highlights,” the statement said. “They also learned to work with others. This was an exciting opportunity for these organizations to collaborate to make the program possible.”

Funding was provided by a City of Cambridge ARPA grant to the Dorchester Skipjack Committee. Plans for future collaboration are currently in discussion based on the needs of the community and the missions of each organization.