Explore Lake Champlain on UVM research vessel

Interested in learning more about Lake Champlain and its history, culture and geology? You can by taking part in one of the Summer on the Lake excursions, offered by University of Vermont Extension and the Lake Champlain Sea Grant Program, beginning June 18.

Educational boat trips aboard the Marcelle Melosira, the university’s research vessel, will focus on one of two different themes, Lake Champlain Live or Stories of the Lake. The cost is $30 per person with each trip limited to the first 20 people who sign up.

For details or to register. Trips fill up fast, so early registration is advised. Children must be at least 8 years old to participate, and anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Lake Champlain Sea Grant is committed to educating as broad an audience as possible through these lake trips. The participation fee covers the cost of fuel and personnel time. A limited number of scholarships are available for those with financial constraints. Please contact to ask about this option.
All trips will depart from the south side of the Rubenstein Lab/Echo Building at 3 College St., Burlington. Please plan to be at the boat at least 15 minutes before your departure time for a safety talk and to sign a waiver.
The Lake Champlain Live trip will be offered on June 18, 4-6 p.m., and July 25,10 a.m.-noon. This excursion will focus on lake science and current research on Lake Champlain.

Participants will get a chance to be a limnologist (a scientist who studies inland waters) and learn how these scientists take chemical, biological and physical measurements of the water to improve their understanding of the lake and its watershed. They also will tow for and identify plankton, sample sediment from the lake bottom, assess water samples for invasive species and monitor water clarity, conductivity, temperature and depth.
After an interactive introduction to the lake’s geology, on the Stories of the Lake trips, participants will travel to Red Rocks Park, Lone Rock Point, Rock Dunder (culturally significant to the Abenakis) and the Horse Ferry shipwreck near North Beach to view cultural, geologic and historic landmarks.

Lake Champlain Sea Grant staff and Chief Don Stevens of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation will share stories about cultural and historically significant landmarks, indigenous creation stories, first peoples’ history and their relationship with water as well as the lake’s naval history after European settlement. Dates for this excursion are July 15, 5-7 p.m., and Aug. 2, 10 a.m.-noon.

If questions, contact Lake Champlain Sea Grant via email or call 802-777-9130. To request a disability-related accommodation to participate, email or call at least three weeks prior to your trip.