Students work in small groups that rotate through activities in the field as well as in performance studios, museum and aquarium exhibits. Each day offers a mix of both scientific and artistic workshops. The group size is small to allow for maximum personal attention and minimum impact on fragile environments.

Evening programs include storytelling, activities at the Marine Science Center, and a student presentation on the final night, showcasing new learning about marine ecosystems and sharing artistic creations.

Environmental Learning Through Song and Dance:
This class, led by longtime performer Billy B, give students an opportunity to integrate environmental facts and concepts through movement. Students will sing along and rock out to Billy’s original environmental education music hits!

Experiments Writing in the Field
Inspired by marine science—its methods, creatures, plants, and stories—the Vis-à-Vis Society uses observation, games, and improv theater to generate creative writing in many forms. We explore the landscape of Fort Worden to find words and characters and use our scientific discoveries to fuel our imaginations. Founder and charter members of the Cephalopod Appreciation Society, Sierra and Rachel have been collaborating as writers and performers for over 15 years and are excited to share some of their playful and unusual techniques that bring writing to another level! Ask them about becoming members of the Cephalopod Society!

Gray Whale Articulation
Students work together to articulate the skeleton of a gray whale and learn the story of its stranding, how marine mammals are specially adapted to survive and thrive in the ocean, and how human activities have impacted gray whale populations in the past as well as current efforts to protect them and other marine mammal species.

Introduction to Invertebrates
Marine invertebrates make up some of the most interesting and colorful members of marine life in the Salish Sea. Students explore aquarium tidepool tanks filled with local invertebrates, observing the adaptations these organisms have for feeding, movement and protection. From their observations, students define the basic characteristics of four major invertebrate groups. Finally, students use their invertebrate knowledge and artistic skills to invent an invertebrate that could thrive in a Salish Sea habitat of their choosing.

Plankton Lab
During this inquiry lab, students become scientists working together to collect a sample from the Marine Science Center’s pier and then use microscopes to discover, identify and draw the life teaming in a drop of water. Much of what they will discover in the sample is plankton, which is the basis of the marine food web in the Salish Sea and oceans worldwide. Discussions touch on the role of plankton in marine food webs, plankton adaptation, local factors affecting the abundance of plankton, including how human activities in and near the water both affect and are affected by plankton in the Salish Sea.

Science in the Field
During one full day outdoors, students explore three different aquatic environments—a freshwater pond, a brackish lagoon, and the shore of the Salish Sea. Through observation of plants and animals, water quality measurements, and group discussion, students learn to recognize the characteristics of each habitat. In the process, they also develop a deeper awareness of the importance of wild, undisturbed habitats, and the best ways to live in harmony with nature. Other class content will integrate current issues, sustainability, and scientific research of the Salish Sea.

Costs

Tuition, room and board, per student: $600

Chaperones: free

Scholarships are available for those who are not able to otherwise attend. If the full tuition is a significant financial burden to you, please select the scholarship/work-trade registration type. Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served; and as-needed basis. Apply online as you register. Students registering as a group are asked to also register one chaperone per 5-7 students. Individual students are also encouraged to register. Tuition plus room and board are free for chaperones, but each chaperone needs to be registered. Meals are served at Fort Worden Commons.

Don’t wait until the deadline to register – Water World fills up quickly!

Parents
The safety and comfort of your children is our highest priority. Meals at Fort Worden State Park are served on campus at the Fort Worden Commons. Students are housed in historic fort buildings renovated as dormitories.

Scholarships
Scholarships are available for those who are not able to otherwise attend. If the full tuition is a significant financial burden to you, please select the scholarship/work-trade registration type. Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served; and as-needed basis. Apply online as you register.

What to Bring & What Not to Bring
Cell phones and electronic devices are not allowed at Centrum Youth Programs. In case of emergency, Centrum's program manager and staff carry phones and will notify you as soon as possible. You may leave a message for your student at any time with Program Manager Alyssa de Leon (360) 385-3102 x120. You will receive contact information in an email prior to the start of the program.

Please bring these items:

• An extra blanket (it can be cold)
• Warm clothes (including a warm jacket)
• Rain gear
• Clothes you can get messy in (paint, etc.)
• Soap & shampoo
• Day Pack
• Water bottle or canteen
• Hat (such as a baseball cap)
• An alarm clock
• Flashlight
• Spiral notebook or journal
• Pens, pencils and erasers
• Clothes you can MOVE in for dance, theater, etc. (not jeans)

OPTIONAL
• Musical instruments
• Camera
• Quarters and soap (to do laundry)
• Healthy snacks (Centrum provides three meals a day, as well as light evening and afternoon snacks. Students are welcome to bring additional snacks, however we strongly discourage sending students to Centrum with large amounts of sugary snacks).
• Linens are provided in the dormitory, including pillows, sheets, blankets and towels, but an extra blanket can come in handy.
• Bathing suit, if you are bashful. You may want to bring a suit for when you take a shower, although there are individual shower stalls for privacy.

Please go through this list carefully, and call if you have any questions. Providing extra care in helping your student prepare for the week will enhance their experience greatly. Thank you for your help!

If you have any more questions about Water World, please contact Alyssa de Leon at 360-385-3102, x120, or adeleon@centrum (dot) org.

Find more answers - Centrum FAQs

Join the Fun – Be a Centrum Chaperone!

Are you ready for a week of creativity, inspiration, and adventure—all while enjoying FREE room and board at Fort Worden State Park?

Centrum is looking for enthusiastic chaperones to help guide and support young artists during their workshop experience. Whether you're a parent, a college student needing observation hours, or someone who loves the arts and working with youth, this is a unique opportunity to be part of something amazing!

As a Centrum chaperone, you’ll play a vital role in ensuring students have a safe and enriching experience from breakfast through dinner—but your evenings are yours to enjoy! While our specialized overnight staff takes care of dorm supervision, you’re free to explore Port Townsend’s vibrant arts scene, relax at the beach, or connect with fellow music and arts lovers.

Why Volunteer as a Chaperone?

• Free private lodging at Fort Worden (separate from student housing)
• All meals provided—no cooking or grocery shopping needed!
• Flexible schedule—on duty during the day, with evenings free
• Great for students—earn observation or work-study hours
• Be part of Centrum’s artistic community—surround yourself with music, writing, and creativity
• Family members of students are welcome to apply!

This is more than just a volunteer role—it’s an unforgettable experience where you’ll witness the power of the arts, build lasting friendships, and make a real difference in young artists’ lives.

Job description below: 

CENTRUM CHAPERONE JOB DESCRIPTION

Thank you for choosing to play a vital role in this workshop. This page will tell you what to expect, and how to prepare for your week at Centrum. All Chaperones must register for the program they are attending so that we can arrange for their food and housing.

Youth Safety- Centrum is dedicated to the safety of youth that participate in our programs. As a Chaperone, this is your highest priority. We aim to have at least two adults with students in all classroom sessions: a faculty member and a chaperone. We expect you to always be present in the classroom workshops and be an active participant. We will have some chaperones act as floaters to fill in for a chaperone if there is an unforeseen situation. If any emergency arises that will take you out of the classroom, please call or text the Program Manager immediately. You will receive a cell phone list in your packet of staff contacts and all chaperones when you arrive on site. Our goal is that chaperones communicate about an emergency to the Program Manager, freeing the faculty to continue to teach their class.

As an active participant in the program we ask that you ensure the safety of all youth participating in the program, not just those assigned to you. If you see anything suspicious or concerning, please report it to the Program Manager immediately. We will meet with the chaperone group on-site to further discuss safety at our orientation. To ensure the safety of all students, and adults, to reduce the risk of the appearance of inappropriateness, all adults are advised to never be inside a room with a young person. If you find yourself in this position, open the door, request another adult accompany you to a student’s room, or ask the student to step out into the hallway. To ensure you are not alone with a young person outdoors either, please follow our rules of movement around campus in groups of 3 or more.

A chaperone has several important roles to ensure the success of the program. One of the most important roles is to provide supervision to and from scheduled activities, during meal times and break times, and ensure students follow all Centrum and State Park rules. We also ask that you communicate immediately with the Program Manager about any emergency that may arise. As a coach to your students, we ask that you keep an eye on your group to help them stay engaged and respectful to all others. Your support in making sure all the students are doing their best will help the artist faculty focus on sharing all their knowledge and expertise so the students may get the best from their classes. If you see a student who is not giving 100%, take the time to see how you can encourage them using positive phrasing.

Chaperones also play an important role when they model creative risk taking and join in all of the activities. Please join in to the best of your abilities! When adults model being willing to try new things, it sends a powerful message to the young people around them. A chaperone who sits on the side without participating gives a message to the kids and faculty that they don’t value the activity.

You will receive a detailed schedule when you arrive, which will help you to direct students to each activity. Please make sure that your students know where to go each morning and each afternoon. The faculty and staff of Centrum will also count heads to make sure that they arrive safely.

Chaperones are not necessarily paired with their own children. We try to balance the mix of chaperones and students in each class and ask chaperones to go where they are needed.

During the workshop day:

Chaperones are “On Duty” from breakfast through dinner each day of the program, and “on call” in the evenings through early morning. Please coordinate with other chaperones to give you self an hour off as “on call” during your shift.

You will be assigned to a “Core” workshop group with students and potentially additional chaperones during activity periods. Please be aware of placing student needs first, and supporting the artist faculty. An artist may ask you to pitch in and help- please do!

Chaperones are advised that cell phones are not welcome in class at any time. If you need to catch up on work, please arrange to do so outside of class time (unless by special arrangement with Program Manager). Centrum programs throughout the week are cell-phone free zone for students. Use of cell phones to communicate with staff and other chaperones is key for urgent situations involving students. We advise texting as the best way to communicate as phone service is spotty here at Fort Worden.

Please keep in mind that all of us are working together to create a positive sense of community in which everyone feels safe to take risks in their creativity and experience new art forms. We ask that you be mindful of your language- framing things in a positive way with a question. For example if a student appears to be disengaged, use words such as “how are you doing? Or What is going on for you?” rather than a critical statement or directive such as “what’s wrong with you.” As much as possible, avoid language that may put the student on the defensive or embarrass them in from of their peers such as “Don’t do that!!!”

Meals: Our dining facility serves three meals a day, and Centrum provides additional light snacks. It is your responsibility to supervise and/or check-in with your home group during meal times as well as your assigned “Core class” student group.

During afternoon free time: You do not need to accompany students. However, we ask that you know where your students are at all times. We will repeat this often, but make sure students understand exploring Fort Worden is always done in groups of 3 or more. Students will be instructed to check in with chaperones, but please be proactive in making sure you connect with each student of your group at mealtimes.

Please help us reinforce that SAFETY IS OUR FIRST PRIORITY. This is particularly important in and around the buildings. Fire is a major hazard in the Fort’s wooden buildings, which means absolutely no smoking, candles, or incense in the dorms. Poison hemlock is present along many trails. We will share information on how to identify this plant. Message is do not ingest any plants at the Fort.

During the evening, the night dorm counselors are on duty beginning at 6:30 pm. Our dorm counselors have plenty of experience with young people. They work to create an inclusive community in the dorm. It is your responsibility to be supportive of dorm counselors, dorm rules, and curfews. The dorm counselors often establish what they call “wing time.” They circle up and go through the day or just have a touch base conversation to see how their students are doing. You are not required to sit in on evening activities. This is your time to take a break.

Keep in mind that there is absolutely no alcohol allowed in the dormitories.

Taking participants off campus: In case of an emergency, permission to take any participant under the age of 18 off campus must be granted from the Centrum staff on duty (Program Manager or Night Dorm Manager). No adult is permitted to take any participant under the age of 18 off campus at any time during the program week for anything other than an emergency, or out of the dorms during stated curfew times. Such action shows disregard for the mental and physical health, safety and welfare of that minor. Groups that do not follow this rule will be expelled, without refund. Missing participants will be reported to the police.

If someone gets hurt: There is a medical kit in the dorm, in each classroom building, and also at the Centrum office. If someone is seriously hurt, please let the Program Manager/Youth Assistant/Day Dorm Manager know and arrangements will be made immediately to take care of that child, or to take care of the other students assigned to you if it is determined you need to accompany the child to the emergency room. Medical forms are on file at the Centrum office and the Day and Night Dorm Managers also have a copy. No drugs can be given to any student without first checking that student’s medical form to make sure the parents have given their permission. It is the home chaperone’s role to support students in their home group dispensing medications on that student’s medical form.

If you are job sharing: there must be at least one chaperone per group of 4-6 students on-site at all times, from check-in until your whole group is checked out. The first chaperone here should pick up ALL the chaperone packets (one for each chaperone) and will have the key (if a chaperone of a different gender is taking over, they will get a key for a room in another wing in the packet) and a meal ticket to pass along. This should be a face-to-face hand over. After the new chaperone takes over, they should check in with the wing Dorm Counselor and/or the Program Manager, depending on the time of day.

Communication: Please bring any issues or concerns to the Centrum Program Manager, Day Dorm Manager, or the Dorm Night Manager. We are serious about creating a positive, inclusive community and will address any issues that come up immediately.

On the last day, please make sure your assigned and home group have cleaned up their dorm area.

Any signs or posters (and all tape) need to come down. Any trash needs to be picked up, both in the rooms and the hallways. Linens should be folded and placed on the bed. Make sure you and your students check any drawers and under the beds to make sure nothing is left behand when you all pack up (cell phone chargers! Ipods!). All room keys need to be returned to your dorm counselor. There is a $25 key replacement charge assessed if keys are lost or not returned.

Last but not least: Thank you! Thank you so much for being a chaperone at Centrum’s programs. You make an incredible contribution and we appreciate your commitment. We know that it can be an exhilarating, exhausting week. Please remember to take care of yourself as well.

Please bring any questions or concerns to the Program Manager, Alyssa de Leon. Cell: 360.301.0428 Our goal is to solve any concerns right away!