Summer Program: June - August
The Box of Rain summer program is the basic foundational program that has grown exponentially each year. To date, Box of Rain has mentored 500 children in the summer program since it was founded.

In the summer, the Box of Rain kids gather each Tuesday and Thursday from 10am-3pm over the course of eight weeks. A variety of primary maritime experiences are provided.

Swimming
The summer session begins with a series of swimming lessons at the Truxton Park pool. While most participants quickly become better swimmers, we are proud that some of the Box of Rain kids have advanced and have participated on the Truxton Park Penguins Swim Team. One of our summer program graduates went on to get his certification as a lifeguard!

Boating
Participants get hands-on instruction in all aspects of boating in a variety of comprehensive in-water experiences around Annapolis. They are introduced to the exciting world of sailing by visiting the Annapolis Sailing School, JPort, and the National Sailing Hall of Fame. Experienced instructors provide land training and on-the-water practice that requires the kids to work together to sail their small boats. They also learn to paddle kayaks and paddle boards down Spa Creek, thanks to one of our key supporters, Annapolis Canoe and Kayak. The participants quickly find out the value of teamwork when they try their hands at the rowing skulls thanks to the U.S. Naval Academy boat house and our midshipmen friends. Older Box of Rain participants are encouraged to enroll in the Spirit of America course where they learn safe boating and can apply to get their boating license, while younger participants spend time on the Chesapeake Pirate Adventures ship hunting for buried treasure.

Environment
An environmental component is also key to the summer program. Local visits to the Annapolis Maritime Museum are always on the schedule as are fishing lessons provided by the Department of Natural Resources. The major summer bus trips include a visit to the St. Mary’s College campus and sailing center, Calvert Cliffs, and Assateague, which for many of the Box of Rain kids is the first time seeing the ocean!

Box of Rain hires highly qualified instructors for the summer program and relies on support from volunteers and Board members to fill in as needed.

To sign up to be a summer volunteer click here.

If volunteering is not a possibility, Box of Rain always needs support for items such as water bottles, lunches and snacks, water shoes, and art supplies, along with bus transportation funds, so if you would like to donate to the summer program click here.