Homeschool Program Series

The Homeschool Program Series is a hands-on, curriculum-supportive experience designed especially for homeschool students, giving them the chance to explore, create, and learn through our collections, exhibits, and out on the Connecticut River. All programs are intended for students ages 6–12, and most are drop-off experiences unless otherwise specified. Parents/guardians may explore the museum or grounds with younger siblings during the program time. All other programs are at the Connecticut River Museum at 67 Main Street in Essex.

All Homeschool Day programs are 90 minutes
10:00am – 11:30am or 1:00pm – 2:30pm at the Connecticut River Museum
Museum programs are $17 for Museum members and $22 for non-members
Boat programs (RiverQuest & Onrust) are $22 for Museum members and $27 for non-members

Click here to register for the Museum Programs.

Click here to register for the Boat Programs.

Fall Onrust Voyage

Thursday, October 9, 2025

Step aboard and travel in time–all the way back to 1614, when Dutch explorer Adrien Block sailed up the Connecticut River. Learn the ins and outs of historic sailing ships and find your sea legs (or should we say River legs) on the Museum’s replica of Captain Block’s Onrust.

Curriculum Connection: Learners will get hands-on experience with 17th-century Dutch and colonial life aboard the Onrust. We will explore the impact of European exploration on the local tribal nations as well as the environmental impact of settler communities.

Historic Games

Thursday, November 13, 2025

As fall settles over the Connecticut River Valley, communities of the past prepared for the colder months ahead, not just with food and firewood, but with fun. In this interactive program, students will step back in time to learn how people along the River kept their spirits high as the days grew shorter. Through hands-on play, they’ll experience a variety of historic games that brought families and neighbors together during the fall and winter seasons.

Curriculum Connections: This lesson explores local history through the lens of recreational traditions in early River communities. By engaging with historic games, learners connect the past to present-day experiences of seasonal change and social life.

Steampower & Train Show

Thursday, December 11, 2025

What makes a steam engine go? Explore steam technology and craft a simple machine based on objects in the Museum. We’ll visit the Annual Train Show, a fully operational 26-foot train layout, for a very special scavenger hunt!

Curriculum Connections: We’ll explore the mechanics behind steam engines and discover how steam power impacted American history and the Industrial Revolution. 

Sink or Float! The History (and Mystery) of the Bushnell Turtle

Thursday, January 8, 2026

The Bushnell Turtle was the first submarine of its kind and played a key role in shaping modern underwater technology. But who was Bushnell? What was the Turtle designed to do? And where is it now? As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of this remarkable invention, uncover the answers to these questions and more by becoming a history mystery detective.

Curriculum Connections: We’ll explore how the design of a vessel impacts buoyancy. We’ll also learn about mass, displacement, density, and design. Using primary documents, we’ll dive into the American Revolution and discover how local history has laid the foundation for modern-day submarines.

Eagle Watch

Thursday, February 12, 2026, and February 17, 2026

Get out on the River with a ride on RiverQuest. This 90-minute cruise along the lower Connecticut River will offer opportunities to observe birds during the nesting season. Search for nests, young eagles, and other raptors that inhabit our Estuary.

Curriculum Connections: A big day for practicing Naturalist skills! When we’re out on the water, we’ll experience firsthand how to observe and understand the importance of the delicate ecosystems along the Connecticut River. We’ll practice bird identification, nature journaling, and discuss the importance of citizen science.

Please note: Only one program is scheduled per day on these dates, from 10:00 to 11:30 AM

Women’s History Month

Thursday, March 12, 2026

Celebrate Women’s History Month by learning about the women who made their mark on the Connecticut River! Pharmacists, doctors, dressmakers, and architects are just a few of the many professions women had beginning in the 18th century.

Curriculum Connections: With a focus on local history and women’s history, we’ll focus on the often overlooked impact of women along the River between the 1700s and today.

Please note: There are two programs scheduled on this day. One from 10:00 to 11:30 AM and one from 1:00 to 2:30 PM.

River Science: From Micro to Macro

Thursday, April 9, 2026

There’s more to the Connecticut River than meets the eye. From microscopic organisms to fast-spreading invasive species, these ecosystems are full of both wonders and threats. In this hands-on lesson, students will investigate the hidden biodiversity of the River through microscopes and field tools, identifying tiny aquatic creatures that form the foundation of the food web. At the same time, they’ll discover how invasive species are reshaping our ecosystems.

Curriculum Connections: Students will explore the relationships between organisms in freshwater and brackish ecosystems, focusing on both microscopic life and invasive species. They will investigate how human actions and policies have impacted these ecosystems over time. Hands-on observation and analysis will build skills in scientific inquiry and ecological understanding.

Spring Onrust Voyage
Thursday, June 11, 2026

Step aboard and travel in time–all the way back to 1614, when Dutch explorer Adrien Block sailed up the Connecticut River. Learn the ins and outs of historic sailing ships and find your sea legs (or should we say River legs) on the Museum’s replica of the Onrust.

Curriculum Connection: Learners will get hands-on experience with 17th-century Dutch and colonial life aboard the Onrust. We will explore the impact of European exploration on the local tribal nations as well as the environmental impact of settler communities.

Program Costs:
Museum Programs: $22.00 per session ($17 for Members)

Boat Programs: $27.00 per session ($22 for Members)

Please remember these are drop-off programs for homeschool learners aged 6-12. Refunds will be given if there is 24-hour notice. There may be lesson cancellations due to the weather, to which your payment will be refunded.

For more information
Contact the Education Department
Phone: 860-767-8269 x121
Email: lbdionne@ctrivermuseum.org