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, veterans tour, 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!

Find the Floating Classroom program for you!
Click on the photo to navigate to that program.
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.
Field trips are offered every day of the week, Monday-Friday.
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 at one of three locations:
- Stutts Marina (571 Stutts Road, Mooresville, NC 28117)
- EnergyExplorium at McGuire Nuclear Station (13339 McGuire Nuclear Station Road, Huntersville, NC 28078)
- Beattys Ford Park (8335 Shipley Ln, Denver, NC 28037)
$800/trip
Scholarships are available for groups that qualify.
Up To 30 Participants
Lake Norman
Multiple Locations Available
Available
Monday - Friday
To book a trip, please contact our Engagement Manager, Jennifer Steedley, at jennifer.s@catawbariverkeeper.org. Our team will work with you to plan the best field trip schedule and program content for your group, and we'll answer any questions you may have.
We can't wait to explore Lake Norman with you and your students!
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Homeschool & Flexible Learning Field Trips
Don't miss this incredible learning opportunity on Lake Norman!
Catawba Riverkeeper invites homeschool families, co-ops, online students, and other flexible learners to join us aboard the Floating Classroom for a hands-on exploration of North Carolina’s largest lake.
Homeschool and Flexible Learning Tour are open to the public and can be booked by clicking the "Buy Tickets" button below. These field trips are available on the first Tuesday of every month at 12:00 PM. Tours run last 2 hours (times vary based on sunset), and depart from Stutts Marina (571 Stutts Road) in Mooresville, NC.
Children or groups of children must be accompanied by an adult.
1st Tuesday of the Month
12:00 PM
Lake Norman
Stutts Marina
$28/person
OPEN TO UNITED STATES VETERANS
Trips for Veterans
Get out on the water with your favorite folks!
Catawba Riverkeeper is proud to offer free Floating Classroom tours for U.S. veterans and the family members, friends, or support people who join them.
Enjoy the fresh air and beautiful lake views while our Catawba Riverkeeper team shares stories about Lake Norman, the Catawba-Wateree River Basin, local wildlife, water quality, and the history of the waterways that connect our communities. Binoculars are available for wildlife watching, and guests are welcome to bring their own refreshments aboard.
These tours are our small way of saying thank you for your service while creating an opportunity to spend time on the water with the people who matter to you. Reserve your spot on the boat using the button below.
1st Tuesday of the Month
9:00 AM
Lake Norman
Stutts Marina
FREE
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 weekly, last 2 hours (times vary based on sunset), and depart from Stutts Marina (571 Stutts Road) in Mooresville, NC.
Participants may choose to bring their own refreshments (including beer and wine!) on the boat. Binoculars are available for birdwatching.
Weekly Trips
Times Vary
Lake Norman
Stutts Marina
$45/person
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Holiday Lights Tours
A Festive Evening Aboard the Floating Classroom
Join Catawba Riverkeeper for a special evening cruise aboard our 40-foot Floating Classroom as we take in some of Lake Norman's spectacular waterfront holiday displays. From beautifully decorated docks to some of the lake's grandest homes dressed for the season, there's no better way to see the lights than from the water.
You won't have to worry about the December chill. The Floating Classroom is enclosed with clear windows for beautiful views in every direction and equipped with an onboard heater, so you can enjoy the magic of the lake while staying warm and cozy.
We'll make the evening even more festive with
holiday cookies, charcuterie, hot chocolate, and warm apple cider. Guests are also welcome to bring their own beer or wine to enjoy onboard. Along the way, you'll experience Lake Norman after dark, hear a little about the ecology of the lake and the Catawba-Wateree River Basin, and enjoy a festive evening with friends, family, or someone special.
December Trips Available
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Lake Norman
Stutts Marina
$65/person
For questions or additional information on the Floating Classroom, please contact us at jennifer.s@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!
Thank you, Floating Classroom sponsors!
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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.
