SoundWaters

SoundWaters was founded in 1989 with the mission to protect Long Island Sound through education and action. Since then, we have engaged hundreds of thousands of students and adults to build a deeper interest and literacy in science for improved school achievement and to raise awareness about the small differences we all can make to protect the health of the Sound. The schooner SoundWaters, our most visible and recognized resource, conducts 250 experiential education sails each season for school and community groups and public sails for everyone throughout the region.

SoundWaters teaches over 28,000 students of all ages from CT and NY annually, including 9,000 on scholarship from low-income communities, aboard the schooner, in schools and at our Coastal Education Center in Stamford. We expand educational opportunities and achievement through fun, yet rigorous, hands-on science tied to classroom content and state education standards in partnership with 146 schools and organizations across the Long Island Sound region. Camp SoundWaters offers exciting, outdoor activities and learning on the shore and our sailing programs are training the next generation of mariners.

We are committed to ensuring that no child or school will be excluded from our programs due to an inability to pay. Knowledge about, and access to, educational enrichment and the benefits of Long Island Sound are far too limited already for so many in our region. The generosity of our supporters enables our work, whether it’s an education sail aboard the Schooner SoundWaters, summer camp scholarships for children or STEM education at our Coastal Education Center. Overall, one third of the students we teach are from low-income communities and receive full or partial scholarship assistance. These children would not benefit from an outdoor field experience and academic enrichment without SoundWaters.

SoundWaters is a recognized and trusted organization locally and in the Long Island Sound region. We have sustained relationships built on shared value and trust for 25 years that includes business, political and community leaders. We have been awarded a 4-star rating, the highest possible, from Charity Navigator based on our financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency.