Shenandoah, The Next Generation Campaign
A New Ship to Transform Young Lives for Generations
Through 63 years of service, Shenandoah has helped more than 15,000 young people build:
Confidence, Resilience, & Purpose
As Shenandoah retires in 2026, support the launch of Shenandoah II and the next generation of life-changing voyages.
Your gift will help tens of thousands more young people discover confidence, resilience, and purpose — strengths that last a lifetime.
Supported by More Than 600 Families, Foundations, and Individuals.
Phase 1 Goal: $6,250,000
Raised: $4,958,291 (79%)
Your gift brings Shenandoah II closer to the water and thousands more young people closer to discovering their confidence, purpose, and resilience through a voyage under sail.
Ocean Academy accepts gifts by check, credit card, cash, donor-advised funds, transfers of securities, and cryptocurrencies.
“Shenandoah is my favorite place in the world and has both saved and changed my life.”
— Daisy T., student
After 64 years of changing lives, it is time for Shenandoah to retire.
Working with naval architects, shipwrights, and marine surveyors, we explored options for Shenandoah’s future. The repairs needed to keep her sailing would cost more and take longer than building a new vessel.
Bob Douglas, who designed, built, and captained Shenandoah for 56 years, entrusted us with his plans for Shenandoah II. In Douglas’ words, “This vessel is an improvement over Shenandoah.” The new ship will carry forward the unique mission and spirit that have helped more than 15,000 young people discover confidence, resilience, and purpose.
Shenandoah II will sail our young people into the future, making it possible for nearly four times as many students to benefit from the challenges and wonder of the sea — and develop strengths that last a lifetime.
A New Ship. Four Times the Impact.
Because maintaining a 64-year-old wooden schooner is so demanding, Shenandoah spends most of each year in storage and undergoing maintenance instead of serving young people.
Now: Shenandoah
12 weeks of youth programming.
$500,000 annual tuition capacity.
Requires annual fundraising to operate.
Tomorrow: Shenandoah II
44 weeks of youth programming.
$2,250,000 annual tuition capacity.
$1,150,000 annual operating surplus.
Shenandoah II will spend most of the year changing young people’s lives.
Shenandoah II Will:
Serve nearly four times as many young people each year as Shenandoah does now.
Expand access for students with physical and cognitive differences.
Generate the resources needed to fund scholarships, vessel maintenance, and future growth.
“As a parent, I can say without any doubt that my kids' week on board Shenandoah was a life-changing experience.”
—Jeronimo P., parent
“Everybody on the boat helped me grow so much. I learned to reign in my anxiety, face my fears, and try new things.”
— Eleni S., 2021–2 Participant
Phase One – 79% Funded
$4,958,291 raised toward our $6.2M goal
New hull, deck, and mechanical systems built at a qualified commercial shipyard.
Phase Two – 20% Funded
$500,000 raised toward our $2.5M goal
Complete the interior and rigging of Shenandoah II’s new hull in our homeport of Vineyard Haven. Community education and engagement will highlight this public fundraising and construction phase.
Endowment & Expansion – 43% Funded
$475,000 raised toward our $1.1M goal
Support program expansion and a scholarship endowment.
Name a Stateroom
A contribution of $250,000 or more can name one of 12 new student staterooms while helping ensure that future generations experience the life-changing power of a voyage under sail.
Stateroom 2 Named
Stateroom 4 Named
Stateroom 5 Named
Stateroom 8 Named
Stateroom 11 Named
Stateroom 12 Named
Email us to learn about additional naming opportunities aboard the new Shenandoah.
Contribute to Our Scholarship Fund
Help ensure that cost is never a barrier for Ocean Academy participants.
Sponsor a Class Voyage
Full Tuition for Three Learners
Full Tuition for Two Learners
Full Tuition for One Learner
Sponsor One Learner
*The “full tuition” opportunities represent the actual cost of participation, and the “sponsorship” opportunities represent a portion.
Other Methods for Contributing
Donte Cryptocurrency
Ocean Academy accepts cryptocurrency donations. Our cryptocurrencies are stored and managed through Coinbase.
Transfer Investments
Transfer your investments directly and securely into Ocean Academy's investment account. Call or email us for more details.
Donate Your Boat
To Support Positive Youth Development
Join our Annual Fund
Annual giving that supports scholarships and the highest priorities of Ocean Academy.