For more information or to schedule a corporate team-building session, contact office@essexshipbuilding.org.
The Essex River is our greatest classroom and an unmatched resource for building teamwork, leadership, and connection to our maritime environment.
The Essex River: Our Greatest Classroom
The Essex River is more than a waterway—it is a living classroom where participants engage with maritime heritage, environmental science, and hands-on conservation. The Essex Historical Society & Shipbuilding Museum (EHSSM) uses a fleet of student-built boats to connect people directly with the river’s ecology, tides, and history.
Through partnerships with schools and community organizations, EHSSM provides students with opportunities to explore the interconnectedness of maritime culture and environmental stewardship. Our student-built boats are designed for exploration and conservation efforts, ensuring that the next generation understands the value of Essex’s waterways.
A Fleet Built for Learning and Teamwork
EHSSM’s student-built boats serve as floating platforms for immersive, hands-on experiences. These vessels—crafted through our educational programs—allow participants to experience how shipbuilding, history, and environmental responsibility intersect.
Designed for Hands-On Exploration: Built with traditional techniques, these boats provide a unique way to interact with Essex’s shipbuilding heritage.
A Platform for Conservation: Used for environmental research, invasive species management, and estuary studies.
Rooted in Tradition: Rowing and handling these boats offer a tangible connection to the working waterfront and the history of Essex.
Corporate Team-Building on the Essex River
EHSSM’s fleet of student-built boats also provides an exceptional setting for corporate team-building experiences on the water. Companies and organizations can participate in hands-on activities that strengthen leadership, communication, and collaboration while connecting with Essex’s maritime traditions and natural environment.
Work Together, Learn Together: Teams engage in rowing excursions, hands-on maritime challenges, and collaborative problem-solving activities.
Deepen Environmental Awareness: Participants gain a greater appreciation for the Essex River’s ecosystem while contributing to conservation-focused initiatives, such as shoreline clean-ups or marsh restoration.
Connect with Essex’s Heritage: By rowing in traditionally built wooden boats, groups experience the river in a way that honors its history while fostering teamwork and engagement.
Get Your Team on the Water
EHSSM invites companies and organizations to experience the Essex River as a place for team-building, exploration, and environmental awareness. Programs can be tailored to suit different group needs and objectives, offering a unique and engaging way to build camaraderie while learning about Essex’s shipbuilding and natural heritage.