Devin Corcoran

Living Classroom Foundations,
Washington, DC

Try this on for size: get paid to cruise Washington, DC's waterways, sharing your days and knowledge with trusted co-workers and new friends.

Sound too good to be true? Not if you're Devin Corcoran, Captain of the Half Shell, an environmental educational vessel owned by the Living Classrooms Foundation in cooperation with the Earth Conservation Corps.

From March to November, he and his fellow crew members take groups of students - from 3rd graders to adults - out on the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers, part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Trips run five to six days a week, sometimes several times a day.

LCF's learn-while-you-float programs provide students with opportunities to test water quality, spot wildlife, explore habitat components and learn about the local and Native American history of the DC area.

As captain, Devin is also responsible for boat safety and maintenance. As much as possible, he and his colleagues do in-house repairs, from oil and filter changes to wood work and engine repairs.

During the winter as the boat goes in for maintenance, Devin and crew bring a modified version of their education programs into classrooms.

Devin grew up on a small lake in New York, spending many of his days on the water. His grandfather, who kept a boat on the Chesapeake Bay, introduced him to the beauty of the Mid-Atlantic waterways.

Devin spent his college years at Boston University, studying both marine science and environmental science. His particular focus - estuarian ecology - let him splash around in New England waters, exploring the effects of excess nutrients on water systems.

During those same years, Devin spent summers working at a YMCA camp. After graduation, he continued to work with youth through the National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF) in Washington, DC.

A year into his work at NYLF, a friend told him about a job that combined his interests perfectly. The Living Classrooms Foundation, based on Baltimore, was looking for someone to launch an educational program in a maritime setting - what could be better?

As a founding member of the DC branch of Living Classrooms, Devin is proud of his role in building the DC program from the ground (or water, in this case) up. And this spring, with tests and hours under his belt, he at last earned the coveted title of Captain.

With trips happening throughout the week, Devin stays outdoors and on his feet. "Definitely not a desk job," he laughs.

His job allows him to blend his diverse interests - boating, science, education, working with youth - while constantly challenging him to learn new skills.

Want to find out more?
E-mail Captain Devin!