SoundWaters

SoundWaters is a non-profit 501c3 organization whose mission is to educate children and adults about the wonders and beauty of Long Island Sound and its watershed. Through education, SoundWaters provides people with an understanding and awareness of the changes they can make in their lives and communities to restore, to protect and to preserve Long Island Sound and the environment.

Description:
SoundWaters offers year-round education programs for children and adults, including a science-based outdoor camp program at Cove Island Park and on the Schooner. Each year SoundWaters reaches 23,000 children and adults in 42 communities in western Long Island Sound year-round on the Schooner, at the Center, during SoundWaters educational summer camp programs, at field sites and in schools.

An important program of SoundWaters is its Business and Environment Speaker series. Various corporations have shown their support for SoundWaters and sustainable environmental practices and ideas by sponsoring these programs, either at their corporate offices or UCONN Stamford. these programs are free to the public. School children in Stamford and nearby communities have used the Center's Learning Lab for various educational studies; e.g. studying specimens they collect from the waters of the Sound.

In addition to varied public programs, SoundWaters offers a full menu of educational programs for students and school groups on the Schooner SoundWaters, at the SoundWaters Center, in schools and community centers and during Camp SoundWaters. SoundWaters educators can implement an unforgettable experience for students of all ages. See www.soundwaters.org for details.

SoundWaters Center is located in the former Holly House Mansion at 1281 Cove Road, Cove Island Park, Stamford, Connecticut (I-95, exit 9). The Center is open Tuesdays-Fridays 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. Admission to the Center is free. Nominal fees are charged for some of our programs. Reservations are encouraged for all programs; some programs require advance registration. See specific descriptions. Call (203) 323-1978 or visit www.soundwaters.org for additional programs and information.

The Schooner SoundWaters departs from Brewer Yacht Haven Marina, Stamford, Connecticut (I-95, exit 7). Recorded scheduling updates including weather cancellations can be heard by calling (203) 406-3333. In addition to education sails, SoundWaters offer public afternoon and evening sails from May to October. Sailing schedule and pre-paid registration is available on the website, www.soundwaters.org the schooner is also available for private charters out of Stamford and if schedule permits schooner can be chartered from ports outside of Stamford. Call (203) 323-1978 for pricing and availability.

SoundWaters serves 42 communities throughout the Long Island Sound region in Connecticut, Westchester and Long Island, including: Ansonia, Bedford, Bethel, Bridgeport, The Bronx, Bronxville, Byram, City Island, Cos Cob, Darien, East Chester, Fairfield, Greenwich, Hastings on Hudson, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Manhattan, Milford, Monroe, New Canaan, New Rochelle, Noroton, Northport, Norwalk, Old Greenwich, Oyster Bay, Port Chester, Port Jefferson, Port Washington, Ridgefield, Riverside, Rowayton, Rye, Scarsdale, Shelton, Southport, Stamford, Stratford, Trumbull, Westport, White Plains, Yonkers

History:
SoundWaters was founded in 1989 and began taking thousands of children and adults out for educational sails on the 80-foot sailing schooner, SoundWaters. In September 2000 the SoundWaters Coastal Center was opened in Cove Island Park, which includes aquariums with live marine animals and several exhibits and displays. The Center is free to the public.

Contact people:

Dianne Selditch, Center Director, (phone), (email) Hilary Starks, Special Events Coordinator, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (203) 967-8306

Address:

SoundWaters, Cove Island Park, 1281 Cove Road Stamford, CT 06902 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.soundwaters.org

Directions:

Directions to SoundWaters Center: From the north of Stamford: I-95 South to exit 9. At end of the exit ramp, get in left lane Turn Left at light onto Route 1 North (Boston Post Road). Right at next light onto Seaside Ave. At. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: Cove Island/Cove Island Park, 5 minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Does your agency have weekend volunteer opportunities?
	Yes
Does your agency have evening volunteer opportunities?
	Yes
Does your agecny accept court ordered communituy service volunteers?
	No
Does your agency accept and coordinate group projects for corporate volunteers?
	Yes
Does your agency accept and coordinate group projects for youth volunteers?
	Yes
Does your agency accept youth volunteers ages 8-13 with adult supervision?
	No
Does your agency accept youth volunteers ages 14-18?
	Yes

Last updated on August 10, 2009