Building on the momentum of an epic spring, which included more than 400 New Bedford Public School (NBPS) students exploring Buzzards Bay on the Schooner Ernestina Morrissey and 595 young people from the NBPS SeaLab program spending the day on Cuttyhunk, the Onset Bay Center (OBC) had its busiest summer ever. 

The Center’s new launch, christened, ‘Bufflehead,’ arrived just in time for the summer season and immediately became an invaluable resource. The vessel gives OBC far greater flexibility in programming and enables more participants to get out on the water more quickly, including those with disabilities.  

Over $30,000 in scholarship assistance was awarded to summer program attendees, ensuring that the Center continues to fulfill its promise of providing access to outdoor exploration opportunities to those who might not otherwise have them.  The Bay Explorers program and full-day sailing programs operated at maximum capacity for the entire season with a record 777 participants. 

This summer also marked an important milestone for some past program participants, where they “graduated” to OBC seasonal staff roles. 

Diamond Staton, a Bay Explorers Lead Instructor, shared, “I started my journey at the Onset Bay Center from when I was little. As a local kid, I came here as a Bay Explorer and loved every bit of it … and decided I wanted to apply for a job here. I started working as a Junior Instructor and practiced leading the groups, and this summer I was asked to complete some training to become a Lead Instructor. I thought that was a big opportunity! This summer, I led my own Explorer group, and it was so fun! The kids always had smiles on their faces, and there was always laughter in my group.” 

Jorge Orne, also from Wareham, had a similar experience, “When I first started working at the Onset Bay Center in 2023, I was very timid and uncertain of myself in my ability to do a decent job – even though I’ve lived in Onset my entire life, know the Bay like the back of my hand, and have a passion for paddling … We focus a lot on community, and that has really pushed me out of my shell and motivated me to produce my best work at the Onset Bay Center. Being able to educate kids on Onset Bay, doing something that is of value to my community, has been such a big joy in my life, and something I never thought I’d be able to do … The Onset Bay Center has been a wonderful experience, and being employed there has opened me up to new passions, and interests that will pave the way to my future career!” 

The end of the summer season marks a transition, but not an end, to programming at the Center.  The team will continue to work closely with Wareham Public Schools on experiential learning initiatives, including field trips and after-school programs, including Bay Explorers and a youth sailing club.