Catawba Riverkeeper
Floating Classroom
All aboard the Floating Classroom!
Catawba Riverkeeper is proud to inspire the next generation of riverkeepers and river stewards aboard the Lake Norman Floating Classroom.
This 12 ft. x 40 ft. commercial boat can ferry up to 30 passengers around Lake Norman, the largest lake in the Catawba River Basin and in the state of North Carolina.
Equipped with microscopes, water quality monitoring tools, binoculars, and safety gear, the Floating Classroom is ready to host your next hands-on field trip, private charter, or public watershed science sunset cruise.
Scroll down for more information on all the ways you can experience Lake Norman from the deck of the Floating Classroom.
Let the adventure begin!
Field Trips on the Floating Classroom
Give your students an unforgettable hands-on experiential learning opportunity aboard Catawba Riverkeeper’s Floating Classroom! Our on-the-water environmental education program provides students in grades K-12 with lessons on water quality, ecology, wildlife, and environmental stewardship, catered to their grade-level standards.
These 2-hour field trips are offered every day of the week, Monday-Sunday.
The 12'x40' Floating Classroom commercial boat can hold a maximum capacity of 30 participants, including teachers and chaperones.
Field trip groups can choose to begin their journey from 1 of 3 locations:
- EnergyExplorium - Huntersville, NC
- Inland Sea Marina - Mooresville, NC
- Davidson College Lake Campus - Mooresville, NC
Use the booking calendar below to reserve the date and timeframe your group would like to join us on the Floating Classroom! (Please note that the timeframes below are longer than the 2-hour duration of the field trip. Once you have reserved a timeframe, we will work with you to schedule your trip within that block.)
After you reserve your spot, we'll reach out to discuss your program content, group size, scholarship opportunities, payment, and answer any questions you may have.
We can't wait to explore Lake Norman with you and your students!
Up To 30 Participants
Available
Monday - Sunday
Lake Norman
Multiple Locations
$800/trip
Scholarships are available for groups that qualify.
Not ready to book yet? Contact our Floating Classroom Coordinator at floatingclassroom@catawbariverkeeper.org to learn more about the program.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Watershed Science Sunset Tours
Join Catawba Riverkeeper for a sunset cruise on North Carolina’s largest reservoir!
Enjoy the wind in your hair and gorgeous sunset views while you learn about water quality, aquatic ecosystems, and the history of Lake Norman and the Catawba-Wateree River Basin from our 12'x40' commercial boat.
Watershed Science Sunset Tours are open to the public and can be booked by clicking the "Buy Tickets" button below. Tours run from 6 - 8 PM on Fridays and Saturdays and leave from the EnergyExplorium in Huntersville, NC.
Participants may choose to bring their own refreshments (including beer and wine!) on the boat. Binoculars are available for birdwatching.
Fridays
& Saturdays
6 - 8 PM
Lake Norman
(EnergyExplorium)
$45/person
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Private Charters
Create your own adventure with a private charter on the Floating Classroom! Learn about watershed science, Lake Norman history, or simply enjoy a day on the water with friends.
Pack a cooler with your favorite drinks (beer and wine are allowed, but no hard liquor) and snacks, wear your swimsuits for a dip in the lake, and get ready for a day of fun you won't forget!
Private charter groups can choose to begin their journey from 1 of 2 locations:
Private charters are open to the public and can be reserved by contacting our Floating Classroom Coordinator at
floatingclassroom@catawbariverkeeper.org. In your inquiry email, please indicate the length of charter you are interested in and whether or not you would like an educational program to be part of your private charter experience. View the chart to see charter options and pricing.
| Charter Length | Programming | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Hours | No Program | $800 |
| 4 Hours | No Program | $1,200 |
| 8 Hours | No Program | $2,100 |
| 2 Hours | With Program | $1,100 |
| 4 Hours | With Program | $1,800 |
| 8 Hours | With Program | $2,600 |
For questions or additional information on the Floating Classroom, please contact us at floatingclassroom@catawbariverkeeper.org.
Want to support the next generation of Riverkeepers? Consider donating to the Floating Classroom program to help provide scholarship opportunities for students throughout the region. Donations will also help cover the costs of additional education supplies and safety equipment. Click the button below to give the gift of experiential environmental education!
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Let's protect the Catawba River!
The Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation is working towards clean, plentiful water now and for generations to come.
