Our Mission is to excite people, of all ages, about the coastal and ocean environments with an
emphasis on fun, curiosity, and exploration of the natural beauty possessed by sea shores. Through
our tours we seek to foster a love for the ocean, respect for her power and richness. We seek
to remove people from a hectic world and immerse them in natural beauty, to escape and enjoy life
as it should be, if only for a brief moment.

Discovery Adventures was established in 1994 and has been a splash hit ever since! Female-owned
and operated, the staff of Discovery Adventures has over 11 years of outdoor education, is
trained in first aid, CPR and lifesaving. Discovery Adventures is a Commonwealth of
Massachusetts Board of Health permitted day camp.

Who we are
Kacy Lafferty, Owner/Camp Director/Instructor
Kacy first began offering sea excursions to local Gloucester children as a way to open up opportunities and encourage their independence. A Gloucester native, Kacy has her Teaching Credential and has taught both Elementary and Middle school. During the winter months she has taught Marine Science to children on Catalina Island, and San Diego, California. She has worked in Outdoor Education for the past eleven years and is a trained guide with CPR, WEMT, Emergency Dive Accident Management and Lifesaving Certification. She was recently certified by the Coast Guard as a licensed Captain.

Whitney Morris, Instructor
Whitney has been working alongside Kacy running the Discovery Adventures Camp program for three
years. She worked on Catalina Island teaching kayaking and snorkeling and sustainable living
techniques. She is presently working towards her Masters in Education at University of California, Berkeley.
She is originally from Boxford, Massachusetts and will be returning for her fourth summer with the program.

Scott Aalbers, Marine Biologist & Fishing Guide
Scott has a Masters in Fisheries Biology and loves to sample the ocean's bounty. He grew up in Bird Rock, CA and has spent most of his life on the water or underwater. He has worked on a variety of fisheries projects with Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, Pfleger Institute of Environmental Research, and NOAA Fisheries Highly Migratory Species Division with the intention of sustainability for fish populations and fishermen. He brings a wealth of knowledge to Discovery Adventures and will be leading the Southern California and Baja, Mexico excursions.

Mike Lafferty, Guide/Instructor
Sky Captain has been with Discovery Adventures since its creation. He has over 8 years of experience running guided trips all over Cape Ann. His one-on-one instruction keeps beginner paddlers coming back time and time again. His professional teaching strategies and constant encouragement turns beginners into experts.

Ann Lafferty, Guide/Instructor  
Murf is the most experienced paddler on our staff. She began instructing on Deer Lake in Minnesota and has paddled the boundary waters countless times. She has her Masters in Creative Learning and ran her own school for 17 years. Her adventurous spirit makes all of her tours tons of fun.

Anne Perkins, Baja Guide
Anne has worked with Discovery Adventures for three summers and has hired our staff as Marine Naturalists for her school's trip to Bahia de Los Angeles, Baja, Mexico. She lives in Santa Barbara, CA and works as the Outdoor Education Coordinator at The Crane Country Day School. She has created an incredible opportunity for thousands of students and their families to explore the Baja Peninsula. She has over 18 years of experience running trips to remote locations. Her attention to details and safety make every trip a success. Her boundless energy and infectious laughter insures everyone has a great time.


Stacey Johnson, Guide/Instructor
Stacey Johnson is a Gloucester native and has 5 years experience as a kayaking guide and
instructor for Essex River Basin Adventures in Essex Massachusetts. A skilled paddler and
patient instructor with a fun personality means she’s always up for an adventure. She has
traveled extensively and will work as one of our guides in California, Iceland and Costa Rica.

Hugh Braley, Instructor
Hugh Braley has been a guide for 6 years and instructor for 5. He is an ACA
certified Open Coastal Kayak Instructor and a BCU Coach 2. Home waters for
Hugh are Essex and Ipswich Bays but his recent paddling has been down on the
south coast around Westport, Ma. He is talented at introducing people to
kayaking and has a wealth of knowledge about the sport.