The magic of adventure with an emphasis on educating is the essence of East End Explorer. As owner Eric Wurzburg said, it is about “getting folks back in touch with nature, particularly the marine environment.” Starting as a kayak tour company, East End Explorer became “more about hands-on experience and mindfulness experience, appreciating being there and what we have.” Next came the kids program, which has been extremely successful “because children just soak it up.”
Besides kayaking, hiking, and fishing trips, the camp has two youth programs: The Signature Explorers Camp (ages 6 to 13) and the Junior Explorers Camp (ages 4-5). The idea for the program is simple: “to get kids of all ages out into nature and get their hands dirty, feet wet, minds blown” while having fun, learning important things, and gaining tools they will have for the rest of their lives.
The Junior Explorers camp is currently on “… a test run this year. It has been very successful so far. We have partnered with, The Children’s Museum for the East End for that program. It is a small ratio; we take two campers to every councilor. We put them on a kayak or paddle them to islands and teach them how to catch critters.”
He stressed the extreme safety measures done to ensure the safety of the very small children, doing things like clamming and crabbing and putting out nets etc., giving them a chance to the animals.
For the Signature Explorers Camp, with ages 6 to 13, “the younger kids are considered wildlife spotters, the mid-ages are, first mates, and the older kids are the captains, especially the older kids who have been with us before…We venture out on different tours,” places like the Conscience Point Oyster Farm, nature preserves, basically different areas the camp counselors have checked out and know. Eric stresses, “Again (all done) for the same premise of enjoying nature. In low tides, we do more sandbar work,” where they do things like dig for clams in the mud and catch fiddler crabs.
The camp also works with Stony Brook School of Marine and Atmosphere Science, chartering their research vessel once a week. The kids go out and observe and meet real scientists. A true introduction to outdoor marine education at a very high level. Wurzburg was born in Freeport Long Island and ended up in South Florida, where he was a Boy Scout and enjoyed exploring the tropics. He then explored the Caribbean before pursuing his high school education in Athens, Georgia, where his mom worked for the University.
Co-owned with his wife, Beth who is a professor at the University of Georgia. After graduating University Of Georgia, Eric worked in Montauk for the Viking Fleet of fishing boats, did some whale watch trips, and is finishing graduate school at the University of Georgia.
Yet Eric, himself a proud parent to a 4-year-old, confesses, “My real passion is with engaging with people, particularly children with nature.” He started by guiding in Amagansett, then did some time in East Hampton for “Weekend Warrior” before developing his program.
Eric also hosts an array of other Kayak oriented guides for private groups at stunning locations throughout the Hamptons. They can arrange clam bakes or private marine-themed parties for adults and families.
The key word about Eric Wurzburg is passion; his love for the East End goes back to his childhood. That passion is the key to connecting with the kids at his camp. It is an intellectual approach with an emphasis on safety, fun, and education.
For more information about East End Explorer: www.eastendexplorer.com
