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Please contact programs@fishingheritagecenter.org with any questions.
2026 Go Fish April Vacation Program
New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center (FHC) and New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park (NPS) are partnering to offer FREE vacation programming for students and their families during the April Vacation Week!
The Go Fish April Vacation Week Program is designed to teach local youth about the Port of New Bedford from whaling days to the present day fishing industry. The Program will be offered as a series of drop-in activities hosted at both FHC and NPS in downtown New Bedford and will feature daily performances and hands-on activities, including storytelling, music, science demonstrations, arts and crafts, and opportunities to meet local fishermen. The program is available for students and their families. The Program is overseen by a certified public-school teacher, a NPS park ranger, and two student interns. Prior registration is NOT required!
The Go Fish Program activities will be offered Tuesday, April 21 through Friday, April 24, from 10:00am until 4:00pm. Activities will take place at:
New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center (38 Bethel Street, New Bedford, MA 02740)
New Bedford Whaling Natl. Hist. Park (33 William Street, New Bedford, MA 02740)
Visit our website calendar to view all of the 2026 Go Fish Program activities.
Funding for the 2026 Go Fish April Vacation Program is provided by the Senator Montigny Children’s Equality and Empowerment Fund of the SouthCoast Community Foundation, New Bedford Day Nursery, and the Junior Ranger Angler Program of the National Park Foundation.
2026 Something Fishy Summer Vacation Program
Now in its 19th year, Something Fishy is a free summer program which has been produced since 2008 by New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center (formerly Working Waterfront Festival) in collaboration with New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and the Whaling History Alliance. In a one week (30 hour) program, youth learn about the Port of New Bedford from whaling days to the present through hands-on marine science, arts and crafts, games, chantey singing, daily field trips to local maritime sites (Whaling Museum, Seamen’s Bethel, Buzzards Bay Coalition, Eastern Fisheries, Fisherman’s Wharf, etc.), and guest presenters (fishermen, marine scientists, maritime artists and musicians, etc.).
The National Park’s Corson Maritime Learning Center at 33 William Street serves as home base. This location offers easy walking access to most of the field trips. The 2026 Something Fishy Program will be offered in three one-week session. Applications will be available through New Bedford Public Schools and on FHC’s website in May. The deadline to apply is Friday, June 19. Youth will be selected through a lottery.
Session 1: July 13 through July 17
Session 2: July 20 through July 24
Session 3: July 27 through July 31
The Something Fishy Program is open to any New Bedford student who will be in 4th grade during the 2026-2027 school year. Breakfast and lunch are provided for all program participants. Transportation to and from Something Fishy is NOT provided.
All current New Bedford 3rd graders/rising 4th graders are welcome to apply. Applications will be distributed through the New Bedford Public Schools in late spring. Participants will be selected through a lottery process. Applications for the 2026 Something Fishy Program will be available in May.
Deadline to apply: Friday, June 19
Please contact programs@fishingheritagecenter.org or call (508) 993-8894 with any questions.
Spanish– and Portuguese-language applications are available here.
Applications should be delivered to:
Something Fishy Program
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
33 William Street
New Bedford, MA 02470
Or emailed to:
Something Fishy Program is produced by New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center in partnership with New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and the Whaling History Alliance.
Funding is provided by the New Bedford Day Nursery Fund, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, the National Park Foundation, BayCoast Bank, Bristol County Savings Bank, and a Community Funding Grant from the Bristol County District Attorney.
