Save the Harbor adds free trips for youth and community groups to Boston harbor island

Youth and community groups will have the opportunity to mix education and adventure with a free trip to Peddocks Island in Boston Harbor this summer.

Save the Harbor/Save the Bay has added three free trips to the island for youth and community groups on Aug. 27, 28 and 29 as part of the organization’s free All Access Boston Harbor Program.

Peddocks Island opened to the public last year and is the newest addition to Boston Harbor Islands National Park.

The All Access Boston Harbor Program started in 2002 and aims to connect youth to the city’s waterfront.

The program has offered 21 trips to Boston Harbor Islands this summer and has connected more than 75,000 youth and teens to Boston Harbor, Boston Harbor Islands and public beaches in the area since its inception.

These free excursions have reached a record number of youth this year, according to a press release from the organization.

“We are proud to say that Save the Harbor/Save the Bay has become the ‘Boston Harbor Connection’ for a generation of young people” stated Save the Harbor President Patricia Foley in a release.

By the end of the summer, Save the Harbor hopes to have exposed more than 6,500 greater Boston youth to Boston Harbor Islands.

The All Access program begins at Boston’s Bank of America Pavilion where children and teens learn about Boston Harbor, the islands and the marine environment.

After learning about the harbor, the youth will board on the Provincetown II for a day filled with recreation and exploration to Peddock’s Island.

Youth and community groups can explore the historic fort and chapel, take a walk on the many walking trails or relax on the sandy beaches once they get to the island.

“These island adventures are a wonderful way for young people to learn about Boston Harbor’s unique history and our marine environment,” said Bruce Berman, Director of Strategy, Communications and Programs for the organization. “We are glad to add these three trips to Peddocks Island to the 21 trips we have already scheduled to Georges and Spectacle this summer. They should be tons of fun.”

To join the excursion on one of the three dates, email the group size, preferred date and contact information to info@savetheharbor.org.

Save the Harbor/Save the Bay also provides a free Boston Harbors Explorers Program at various sailing centers in the city including Courageous Sailing in Charlestown, The Piers Park Sailing Center in East Boston and the Boston Children’s Museum.