WOOLWICH

Day-to-day family life for Gaius and Amy Hennin has taken on a new twist ever since they waved goodbye to their eldest son, Clayton, on Feb. 4.

The couple still have Nicholas, 13, and 9-yearold Tanner to care for, as well as their business.

But Clayton, 15, is off on an educational adventure — he’s sailing with the schooner Harvey Gamage for the second semester of his sophomore year at Morse High School.

The family has heard from Clayton twice since he embarked on his Classroom High School Semester voyage.

“His cellphone was confiscated — no electronics are used on the ship,” Gaius Hennin said. “They can call or leave a Facebook message when they make certain stops. We’ve heard from him twice. He left us a Facebook message that he was having a blast and loved us and missed us.”

During their four months at sea, Clayton Hennin and his 29 crewmates will sail more than 5,000 nautical miles and visit a dozen countries and 45 ports of call.

They also will participate in field studies and service projects, all while maintaining a rigorous academic course load.

The experience is a product of the Ocean Classroom Foundation, which has offices in Damariscotta. Its High School Semester program has been a success for more than 14 years, foundation officials said, and is open to high school students from sophomore year on.

Most recently docked in Trinidad, the schooner recently departed on a 600-mile, 109-day trip for Santo Domingo.

For Hennin, that means courses that fit into his desire to be a marine biologist. He will be credited with marine science and applied mathematics courses through Proctor Academy in Andover, N.H. — credits that Morse will accept.

Amy Hennin said she had heard about Ocean Classroom from a crew member who visited her business. She was intrigued.

Then, last year, Clayton told his parents he was interested. The staff at Morse, including guidance counselor Leslie Trundy, were helpful in arranging the experience, Amy Hennin said.

“We were instantly very excited about it,” Gaius Hennin said. “I was worried that Clayton wouldn’t be. But he got on board almost from Day 1 and never looked back. I was amazed. He just got a little melancholy saying goodbye the last week.”

Clayton Hennin, of course, misses his little brothers.

“He was sad but he was pretty focused on his trip,” Amy Hennin said. “I think it was hardest on the youngest, Tanner. Nicholas is suddenly the oldest and he’s loving it.”

Amy Hennin is not as surprised as her husband at how well their son has taken to the voyage. The couple talk often with their boys about life experiences, she said.

“I don’t doubt him,” Gaius Hennin said. “But he’s a young kid. This is a big step. And he’s unplugging from electronics world that we all plug into every day.”

Students are full participants in the operation of the ship — their lifestyles tested by the strict resource conservation, long hours and demanding physical and mental labor of shipwork. Marine science, maritime history, applied math and maritime literature are on the curriculum.

They snorkel through coral reefs, hike through rainforests, dissect fish and express themselves through field journals. They plot courses, cook with locals, dance in the streets for Carnival and built a foundation of a school for stateless orphans.

Tight quarters

Living quarters aboard the Harvey Gamage are tight — 30 people aboard a 100-foot, 19th-century schooner.

“They learn about conflict resolution,” said Abi Iverson, director of program development at Ocean Classroom’s Damariscotta office. “It’s not a situation where you can just go home and sleep it off. These kinds of skills are important, no matter what kind of career you’re interested in.”

The Ocean Classroom is not for everyone.

“These students are looking for an educational experience that is gripping,” Iverson said. “Many have found their classroom experience to be mundane.”

The students also take part in a blog, accessible at oceanclassroomblogspot.com.

Clayton Hennin is yet to file a blog entry, but his parents are waiting.

“I assume that his will be coming and I will be waiting,” his mother said. “For Gaius and I it’s most important that he is becoming a life learner.”

The tuition, at $19,500, also can be a challenge, although Ocean Classroom arranges for financial aid as needed.

lgrard@timesrecord.com