Kalmar Nyckel Foundation
Preserving and promoting the cultural and maritime heritage of Delaware and the Delaware Valley for the education and enrichment of all.
$36,221 raised from 309 donors
$25,000 goal
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Support the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation's education mission and the work of The Tall Ship of Delaware! We deliver innovative educational programs for students of all ages through school, community, and public programs on our ship and Copeland Maritime Center campus and museum. Your gift will support:
- Field Trips on our ship and shore: We offer unforgettable hands-on and virtual programs with a special focus on schools for underserved children and youth. Students explore the history of Delaware, STEM concepts related to sailing, teamwork, communication skills, the life of a 17th century sailor, and more.
- Classroom Programs: We teach economic lessons about trade, choice, and scarcity, as well as the history of Delaware's maritime Underground Railroad by bringing our education teams and materials to classrooms across the state (in-person and virtually).
- Community Programs: We host major community events and education programs on our Copeland Maritime Center campus at little or no cost thanks to important sponsor and donor funding.
- Ship Maintenance Fund: Our well-maintained ship requires annual maintenance of its wood structure and carvings, mechanical systems, safety equipment, rigging, sails and much more. Each winter there are new repairs. Your gift will help us prepare for the next sailing season, for schools and the public!
About Kalmar Nyckel Foundation
Mission: Preserving and promoting the cultural and maritime heritage of Delaware and the Delaware Valley for the education and enrichment of all.
Launched in 1997, the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation is a non-profit volunteer-based educational organization that reaches 35,000 people in a typical year. It built, owns, and operates Kalmar Nyckel, The Tall Ship of Delaware, and the Tatiana and Gerret Copeland Maritime Center located on Wilmington's East 7th Street Peninsula. Today’s Kalmar Nyckel serves as a floating classroom that offers people of all ages a variety of sea- and land-based educational and recreational experiences.
BACKGROUND
Kalmar Nyckel was the Swedish naval ship that landed in present-day Delaware in 1638 to launch the colony of New Sweden, establishing the first permanent European settlement in the Delaware Valley. Our maritime center is located just 200 yards from the original 1638 landing site at “The Rocks” in Wilmington, DE.
Adventure awaits! Today's Kalmar Nyckel offers day and evening sails, plus private parties and educational programs onboard or dockside from April through October each sailing season.
Adventure awaits! Today's Kalmar Nyckel offers day and evening sails, plus private parties and educational programs onboard or dockside from April through October each sailing season.
The Copeland Maritime Center offers a year-round riverfront venue for experiential learning and educational field trips as well as private rentals for business and social events. Self-guided and private group tours of our exhibits are available.
The organization also serves as a catalyst for social and economic development and outreach in and beyond the state of Delaware.
County Served: Kent; New Castle; Sussex
Office Location(s): Wilmington
Sector: Arts & Culture; Community Improvement; Education; Environment; Kids; Museums & Historical; Science & Technology; Volunteerism; Workforce
