Spring 2026 | Community Recognition & Maritime Education
The Calista Initiative was featured in the Spring 2026 edition of Soundings, the newsletter of the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society (WMHS), highlighting its mission to inspire young people through hands-on marine and freshwater education.
The article followed an encounter at the annual Ghost Ships Festival in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, where representatives of the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society learned about Calista's approach to connecting youth with the maritime world.
Sharing a Mission of Exploration and Discovery
The feature introduced Calista as a youth development and educational initiative using water as a gateway to curiosity, confidence, leadership, and respect.
It highlighted the program's emphasis on water safety, buoyancy science, teamwork, and guided exploration, along with its efforts to collaborate with schools, libraries, clubs, and youth organizations.
Building Connections Through Maritime Education
Recognition from an established maritime organization reflects the connections being developed between The Calista Initiative and Wisconsin's maritime education community.
Through classroom presentations, hands-on experiments, and community events, Calista continues working to make marine and freshwater science accessible and engaging for young learners.
The feature also demonstrates how a conversation at a maritime event can create opportunities to share Calista's mission with a wider audience.
Curiosity Runs Deep.
Click the photo to read the original feature in Soundings, Spring 2026, Volume 66, Number 1, page 5.
