“Spending a week on a 200-foot Tall Ship isn’t your typical summer camp fare, but in July and August of 2014, teens between the ages of 13 and 18 will have a unique opportunity to experience ‘an ocean of education and adventure’ aboard the newly built SSV Oliver Hazard Perry,” according to a news release last week.

“With 15 professional crew, plus a capacity for 30 to 34 students each session, Rhode Island’s Official Sailing Education Vessel is open to students from any state or country during teen camp sessions. It is a 200-foot Coast Guard-inspected and approved steel-hulled, technologically sophisticated 21st Century ship – the first ocean-going, full-rigged ship to be built in the U.S. in 110 years and the largest civilian sail training vessel in America.”

Students will learn to work as a team with others as they hoist and brace the yards on the 130-foot tall rig, according to the release, and apply acquired seamanship and navigation skills to guide the ship’s course on a voyage of discovery.  

“In addition, they will witness the natural magic of the ocean and its inhabitants – think spectacular night skies, marine phosphorescence, whales breaching, and dolphins at play!” Newport, Nantucket, Boston, Portsmouth and Greenport are among the ports the ship will visit.

Camp price for six days/nights is $1,600 (10 percent discount for enrolling before Jan. 31, 2014), which includes all meals and a 1:4 ratio of staff to students. The first of SSV Oliver Hazard Perry’s seven one-week onboard coastal Sea Camp programs begins July 13 and the last finishes on Aug. 30.

Call 841-0080 or visit www.ohpri.org/summer-camp for information and a reservation form. Follow OHPRI on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ohpri.