August Community Expedition
August 16–23, 2026
Join us for an unforgettable all-ages coastal expedition as we row and sail our two gigs—including our newest gig currently under construction—from Amesbury, MA to Belfast, ME. Over eight days, we’ll travel along the New England coast, camping on islands and the mainland and learning together as a supportive, adventurous community.
If for any reason our newest gig is not yet ready to launch, we will still embark on an expedition using two of our gigs within beautiful Penobscot Bay. Final route details will be announced by May 2026.
About the ExpeditionThis expedition is designed for intergenerational participants ages 14 and up who want to learn, grow, and be part of a cooperative crew. Each day offers opportunities to practice traditional seamanship, rowing, sailing, and navigational skills while traveling through some of the most beautiful coastal waters in the Northeast. We’ll practice Leave No Trace camping as we travel, learning about weather, tides, anchoring, navigation, and the coastal ecosystems that surround us.
We’re so excited to introduce our new gig and share the spirit of Atlantic Challenge with the communities we meet along the way!
Teamwork & Leadership:
Our gigs require coordination, communication, and shared leadership to maneuver well. Every participant will have the chance to step into leadership throughout the expedition. With guidance from AC USA instructors, you’ll rotate through a variety of roles both on and off the water, including:
Skills You’ll Learn:
Skills covered will vary based on the weather and passages each day, and may include:
No prior experience is necessary, just curiosity, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn.
Logistics:
Ages: 14 and up
Group Size: Maximum of 24
Boats: Two gigs
Start & End: Amesbury, MA to Belfast, ME (or alternatively, Rockland, ME - Rockland, ME if staying in Penobscot Bay). We can organize carpools to MA if we end up being able to do that planned route this summer.
More detailed logistics will be provided as the expedition approaches. You can expect a route and meeting and ending location by May 2026.
Have any questions? We’re happy to help answer anything, please reach out if you’re wondering whether this expedition is right for you or if you’d like more information.
August 16–23, 2026
Join us for an unforgettable all-ages coastal expedition as we row and sail our two gigs—including our newest gig currently under construction—from Amesbury, MA to Belfast, ME. Over eight days, we’ll travel along the New England coast, camping on islands and the mainland and learning together as a supportive, adventurous community.
If for any reason our newest gig is not yet ready to launch, we will still embark on an expedition using two of our gigs within beautiful Penobscot Bay. Final route details will be announced by May 2026.
About the ExpeditionThis expedition is designed for intergenerational participants ages 14 and up who want to learn, grow, and be part of a cooperative crew. Each day offers opportunities to practice traditional seamanship, rowing, sailing, and navigational skills while traveling through some of the most beautiful coastal waters in the Northeast. We’ll practice Leave No Trace camping as we travel, learning about weather, tides, anchoring, navigation, and the coastal ecosystems that surround us.
We’re so excited to introduce our new gig and share the spirit of Atlantic Challenge with the communities we meet along the way!
Teamwork & Leadership:
Our gigs require coordination, communication, and shared leadership to maneuver well. Every participant will have the chance to step into leadership throughout the expedition. With guidance from AC USA instructors, you’ll rotate through a variety of roles both on and off the water, including:
- Refilling group water jugs
- Stowing sails and oars
- Creating the daily passage plan
- Assisting with group meals
- Coxing under sail or oars
- Serving as mast captain
- Raising and lowering the sails
- Navigating
- Setting or following the stroke while rowing
- Leading call-and-response rowing songs to keep the crew in rhythm
Skills You’ll Learn:
Skills covered will vary based on the weather and passages each day, and may include:
- Points of Sail
- Sail Theory
- Sail Trim
- Reefing
- Handling a Dipping Lug Sail
- Steering Forces –– learning how our weight and sail trim help steer the boat
- Tides
- Navigation
- Docking
- Knots
- Anchoring
- Anchorage Assessment
- Weather Observation and Interpretation
No prior experience is necessary, just curiosity, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn.
Logistics:
Ages: 14 and up
Group Size: Maximum of 24
Boats: Two gigs
Start & End: Amesbury, MA to Belfast, ME (or alternatively, Rockland, ME - Rockland, ME if staying in Penobscot Bay). We can organize carpools to MA if we end up being able to do that planned route this summer.
More detailed logistics will be provided as the expedition approaches. You can expect a route and meeting and ending location by May 2026.
Have any questions? We’re happy to help answer anything, please reach out if you’re wondering whether this expedition is right for you or if you’d like more information.
Sliding Scale Tuition:
We offer three sliding-scale tuition rates based on household annual income. Please choose the rate that best matches your financial ability:
Work trades, food exchanges, and financial aid are available.
Please email us about work-trade opportunities. A financial aid form is linked in the registration form.
Are you an International participant flying to the US for this expedition? Please email us to discuss alternative tuition rates.
Tuition Includes: All meals, instruction, insurance, and all required boating safety equipment (including lifejackets).
Deposit Information:
A non-refundable $250 deposit is required to hold your spot.
If we are unable to accept you into the program or if the program is cancelled, your deposit will be fully refunded.
Please let us know if you need a payment plan for the deposit or tuition, or if you need the deposit fee waived.
We will email you to confirm once we have received your application and deposit. If the program is full, you will be placed on a waiting list and notified if a spot becomes available.
Tuition Deadlines:
Cancellation Policy:
If you need to cancel, please email us no later than one month before your program start date.
Atlantic Challenge USA reserves the right to cancel programs in cases of emergency, low enrollment, or other circumstances. In the event of program cancellation, all tuition and deposits will be refunded.
We offer three sliding-scale tuition rates based on household annual income. Please choose the rate that best matches your financial ability:
- $1,200 — Baseline rate:
This is the full cost of the Expedition. - $1,440 — Supportive rate:
This rate is 20% higher than the baseline and helps us offer more access to participants who cannot pay the full amount. - $960 — Reduced rate:
This rate is 20% lower than the baseline, making the Expedition more accessible to those who need financial support.
Work trades, food exchanges, and financial aid are available.
Please email us about work-trade opportunities. A financial aid form is linked in the registration form.
Are you an International participant flying to the US for this expedition? Please email us to discuss alternative tuition rates.
Tuition Includes: All meals, instruction, insurance, and all required boating safety equipment (including lifejackets).
Deposit Information:
A non-refundable $250 deposit is required to hold your spot.
If we are unable to accept you into the program or if the program is cancelled, your deposit will be fully refunded.
Please let us know if you need a payment plan for the deposit or tuition, or if you need the deposit fee waived.
We will email you to confirm once we have received your application and deposit. If the program is full, you will be placed on a waiting list and notified if a spot becomes available.
Tuition Deadlines:
- May 15: Half of tuition due
- July 15: Full tuition due
Cancellation Policy:
If you need to cancel, please email us no later than one month before your program start date.
- Cancellations 1 month or more before the start date: Refund of tuition minus the $250 deposit.
- Cancellations within 1 month of the start date: Refund of 50% of tuition minus the $250 deposit.
Atlantic Challenge USA reserves the right to cancel programs in cases of emergency, low enrollment, or other circumstances. In the event of program cancellation, all tuition and deposits will be refunded.
