Family registration for Stella Maris Explorers programs, including the Explorers Club. 

Stella Maris Explorers is a 501(c)(3) catholic charitable organization committed to promoting art, faith, and science education in the Mississippi Gulf Coast community through in-person programs and to supporting families in their mission to raise well-rounded and faith-filled children. Our mission is carried out primarily through our flagship program: The Explorers Club. Club meetings provide our explorers the opportunity for rigorous unit-based science study, high quality visual art creation, meaningful faith lessons, and socialization with their peers. Our aim is to illuminate the beauty, wonder, and goodness of God through our work.

SME has been blessed with expansive growth over the last two years. Which has allowed us to be a resource to so many families. We've grown from only serving PK4-3rd graders in our first year to serving PK3 to 5th graders plus a sibling extension program in the past semester. We are working on the creation of a dedicated teen program and we are also expanding the Explorers Club through 8th grade. 

With these exciting new program changes, we are updating the pay structure to include a registration fee of $25 per family. This will be an annual fee and will cover your family's registration each year for all of our programs as we grow. This registration fee primarily (and partially) covers our insurance costs. Please be assured SME is still committed to providing the least expensive enrichment programs available on the Coast.

Lastly, please note our Statement of Faith: 

Stella Maris Statement of Faith

“We believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell; on the third day he arose again. He ascended into Heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From there, He shall come to judge the living and the dead. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.” (The Apostle's Creed)

Stella Maris Explorers is a catholic organization that is faithful to the teaching authority of the Roman Catholic Church and obedient to our local ordinary: His Excellency, the Bishop of Biloxi. Club meetings, field trips/studies, play dates, or other events are not the appropriate place for overt statements, actions, or dress that reject the teachings of the Catholic faith and will not be tolerated. 

While Stella Maris Explorers membership, Explorers Club attendance, and participation in other SME programs and events is not restricted to those families and children of the Catholic faith, it is restricted to those who support our mission (to encourage art, faith, and science education) and who agree to adhere to our statement of faith (the two paragraphs above). In the words of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, “anyone who seeks truth seeks God, whether or not he realizes it.” Genuine questions are always welcomed. As a Catholic organization, though, Explorers Club meetings, will usually include topics relevant to catholic children – including, but not limited to: Bible stories; saint biographies; and lessons on the Mass, the sacraments, and the liturgical seasons.