2026 Update on our Expeditions

April 6, 2026

Dear Sea Schoolers, our supporters & wider community,

After much thoughtful consideration, Sea School has made the difficult decision to pause South Shore expeditions for summer 2026. This news will be disappointing to many in our community, and we share that feeling. We’re making this decision with care and with the future in mind - to give the organization the space it needs to adapt, strengthen, and continue facilitating transformative coastal and ocean-based experiences for young people.

Sea School remains active and committed to delivering high-quality programming in 2026. While we pause South Shore expeditions, we’ll be focusing our energy on our Halifax programs, based out of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic’s new Boat School. This partnership gives us a central waterfront base to work with young people from across HRM who don’t always have access to ocean-based experiences. We expect to work with over 300 youth this summer, with regular sailing in Halifax Harbour aboard Dorothea. We’re also excited to be building a new partnership with Canoe Kayak Nova Scotia - more to come on that soon.

Alongside this shift, our Executive Director, Stephi Walker, will be moving on after a year of dedicated and impactful work supporting the organization’s renewal. We’re deeply grateful for the energy, care, knowledge, and leadership she’s brought to Sea School, and she will be greatly missed!

We’re pleased to share that Hannah McLean, our talented Program Director, will step into an Interim Executive Director role to lead the organization through summer 2026. We feel very lucky to have Hannah’s steady leadership during this time.

We’ll keep you in the loop for opportunities to join us for a day sail in Halifax, or any other events and activities we have to offer over the summer.

Fair winds,

The Sea School Board