Tabor Boy Summer Experience

Embark on an Unforgettable Adventure

Step aboard the SSV Tabor Boy and set sail on a journey where tradition meets discovery at Tabor Academy. The Tabor Boy Summer Experience (formerly known as Orientation at Sea) invites new Seawolves to embrace the maritime heritage that has been a cornerstone of our School by the Sea for more than a century. Aboard our 115-foot, gaff-rigged schooner, this experience is more than a voyage—it's your gateway to the values and community that define Tabor. 

Connecting with the Sea, the Land, and Each Other

The Tabor Boy Summer Experience is a journey through the waters, harbors, and islands of Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound; each day is an opportunity for discovery. You'll delve into local geography, history, and coastal marine ecology, creating hands-on experiences that stick with you long after you've disembarked. This program does more than teach—it connects. Aboard the Tabor Boy, your shipmates become friends, united by unique bonds of shared challenges and responsibilities.  

Opting into the Tabor Boy Summer Experience is your chance to start the Tabor journey with an adventure that embodies the school's spirit of exploration and community. It's an invitation to step aboard into a tradition that transcends the classroom, offering opportunities for personal growth, learning, and unforgettable memories.   

A Hands-on Voyage of Learning and Growth

Under the guidance of Captain Jay Amster or Captain Sara Martin, you'll embark on an three-day journey that's as much about discovering yourself and your capabilities as it is about discovering the world around you. As a trainee aboard the Tabor Boy—a Sailing School Vessel (SSV)—you won't just observe, you will actively participate in the safe operation of the vessel. Supported by the experience of current Tabor students and recent graduates serving as Watch Officers and mentors, you'll take on tangible responsibilities. This hands-on approach is not just about learning to sail a traditionally rigged vessel; it's about embodying Tabor's values of courage and collaboration. You'll take the helm, plot our course, and dive into marine ecology.  

These experiences aren't just lessons; they're Tabor values in action, igniting curiosity that you'll carry through your time at Tabor and beyond.