Summer Ambassador
8th-12th Grade
August 2026
Deadline to Apply: July 1st, 2026
World Ocean School’s Summer Ambassador Program offers 8th - 12th grade students the chance to live, learn, and lead aboard, S/V Denis Sullivan.
Whether it’s your first time on the water or you're ready for more advanced seamanship, these immersive voyages combine hands-on sailing with teamwork, personal growth, and unforgettable exploration.
No experience required, just a sense of curiosity and a willingness to try something new.
Set Sail for Growth, Adventure, and Connection
Watch a Program and see YOURSELF onboard
Your greatest summer ADVENTURE starts here
Become crew
on a tall ship!
An immersive, live-aboard sailing adventure for incoming 8th - 12th grade students.
Sail by day and anchor at night alongside a professional crew and fellow students
Explore engineering, seamanship and maritime history
Enjoy land excursions to islands, museums and ports along the journey
No prior sailing experience needed. Just bring your curiosity and sense of adventure!
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Each voyage follows the wind and weather, just like traditional sailing ships have for centuries. Departing from Boston, students sail the New England coast and may explore historic ports, offshore islands, and maritime museums along the way.
Possible destinations include Gloucester, Provincetown, Mystic Seaport, Nantucket, the Cape Cod Canal, the Isles of Shoals Marine Lab, Hurricane Island, and other unique coastal locations. The exact itinerary is determined shortly before departure to ensure the best sailing conditions.
No two voyages are exactly the same. Each trip becomes its own adventure.
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August 3-10, 2026
Students will board the boat in Boston on the 3rd and then leave the ship on the 10th
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18 students and up to 12 full time crew.
Including:
USCG licensed Captain
USCG licensed Mate
Engineer
Cook
Deckhand Educators
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$4,800 per student
This covers all meals, housing, instruction, and program activities.Worried about the cost?
Don’t be. We offer generous need-based scholarships and are committed to making sure that no student is turned away due to financial circumstances.
SUMMER AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
AUG 3 -AUG 10TH 2026
Deadline to Apply: July 1st, 2026
APPLICATION PROCESS
We accept summer applications at the beginning of the year and encourage students to apply early since the program may fill before the stated deadline.
Students will be required to complete the following in order to be considered by the application deadline:
Biographical form
One reference
Short answer essay questions
Cost & payment
Program Cost: $4,800
Upon acceptance to Summer Ambassador, families have the opportunity to apply for need-based financial assistance. Financial aid decisions are reviewed on a rolling basis after students have been accepted.
For questions, please contact our Program Manager.
Email: nona@worldoceanschool.org
Phone: (774) 518-7794
Life Aboard Denis Sullivan!
Each day, you will be part of a Watch Group, a group of 5-7 students who rotate through “watches” which are onboard activities related to sailing the ship. Your Watch Group will be led by Watch Leaders, our experienced deckhand educators. Learn more about Watch Rotations below!
Joining you will be 12 professional crew including a Coast Guard Licensed Captain, Mate, Deckhand Educators, an Engineer, and Cook.
The Ambassador experience immerses students in onboard living, sailing, and nature. Students' cell phones and any other technology are stored away for the duration of the voyage.
Watch Groups
Aboard a tall ship, your watch group is your home base—a group of 5-7 students with two or three crew members acting as your Watch Leaders. You'll rotate through all kinds of activities with your watch group while you're on board.
Chores
Everyone helps keep things clean aboard Denis Sullivan—all students participate in chores like washing dishes after meals and scrubbing Denis Sullivan's deck with the saltwater fire hose!
Daytime Rotations
While you sail, you and your group will rotate through three stations:
Active Watch
When you are on Active Watch, it means that your group is responsible for all aspects of sailing the ship, from steering and sail handling to completing hourly boat checks.
Seamanship Lessons
During Seamanship Lessons, your watch leaders will teach you a little bit of everything you need to know to be a sailor - knot-tying, shanty-singing, navigation, and more!
Reading & Reflection
Reading & Reflection is for taking a break from the action of the ship - time to read a book, write in your journal, draw the sunset, or just watch the ocean go by!
An Unforgettable Voyage
Leaving from and returning to the Moakley Federal Courthouse dock in Boston’s Seaport District, you will sail along the stunning New England coastline. This may include New Hampshire, Maine, Cape Cod, and Rhode Island!
Each program offers 2-3 Shore Excursions—field trips from the boat to visit interesting sites on land. In past years, we've visited oyster farms, museums and aquariums, gone on hikes, and counted island-dwelling seals for a New Hampshire marine lab!
While you’re away, your family and friends can keep up with your trip by reading our online Ship's Log— complete with a "Where's Denis Sullivan" feature!
FAQS
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Definitely not just chores! Life aboard Denis Sullivan is full of fun and unforgettable moments.
You'll sail in small teams or watches and bond with your crew through shared challenges and wins.
Off-watch, enjoy board games, movie nights, sea shanties, guitar sessions, and stargazing.
Onshore adventures might include climbing a lighthouse, shucking oysters, snorkeling a reef, or ice cream sundaes after kickball.
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You absolutely belong here — just as you are.
We welcome every personality type: quiet thinkers, bold leaders, and everyone in between.
The ship runs on teamwork and respect, not popularity or extroversion.
You’ll be encouraged, supported, and appreciated—and you might even surprise yourself.
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Nope!
Most students come aboard with no sailing experience at all.
Our crew will teach you everything you need to know—step by step.
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Your student will be surrounded by a professional, caring, and experienced crew.
10–15 full-time staff including a USCG-certified Captain, Mate(s), Cook, Engineer, and Educators
2:1 student-to-crew ratio ensures constant supervision and support
Staff provide hands-on mentorship and create a safe, inclusive learning environment
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Yes — we’re committed to accessibility for all families.
Full and partial scholarships available, especially for students from Boston, St. Croix, and Milwaukee
Just indicate your need in the application and we’ll guide you through the next steps
Don’t let cost stop you—if you’re excited to join, we want to help make it happen
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We’ve got you covered.
Our registration process collects important health and dietary info so we can prepare in advance
A full-time Cook and Medical Officer ensure all students are safe, supported, and well-fed
Have a concern? Reach out anytime—we’re happy to discuss accommodations
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Absolutely.
Students gain confidence, responsibility, leadership, and teamwork
Real-world learning supports subjects like science, math, and history
Exposure to maritime careers (and potential sea time for certifications!)
Stand out on applications by showing initiative, resilience, and hands-on experience