Paddle Poll and Roll

Paddle, Poll, & Roll: A Celebration to Remember!

Kelsey, from Girl Scouts Troop 3308, paddles through the bay!

What better way to celebrate an achievement than with a refreshing and relaxing kayak trip on Oyster Bay? Girl Scouts Troop 3308, from the Wantagh Seaford Association, came by the WFC to celebrate their Silver Award, which was given recently to the troop for their many contributions and hard work in the community.

The four girls, headed by troop leaders Beth Romer and Lauren Hupert, are Cadets who are about to enter their freshman year in high school, and seem to enjoy time on the water as much as they do spending time with each other! Kelsey, Kelly, Alyssa, and Tazim were enthusiastic about their kayak adventure, and troop leader Beth added, “This is our fourth time back here!” The girls have been to the Waterfront Center before to earn their Water Fun Badge, and seemed right at home on the bay! The Cadets all agreed that their time on the water was a lot of fun, and wore permanent smiles both on and off the water.

Troop leaders Beth and Lauren.

Their troop leaders were proud of the girls not only for being recognized in the community, but in coming together for a great cause: Beth said that although the girls have diverse interests and different groups of friends, they love spending time together as a troop and giving back to the community.

The kayaking session - Paddle, Pole, & Roll - is a great way to become more comfortable on a kayak, while experiencing the beautiful views and sharing time with friends or family. The girls spent time bonding out on the water, celebrating their charitable achievements, and added to their growing repertoire of water-sports knowledge - way to go, girls!

More Photos

Team kayaking....

Paddling into the sunset

Congratulations to Girl Scouts Troop 3308, for their Silver Award and for their growing knowledge of Oyster Bay and the many ways to enjoy it!

Meet the Summer Instructors Part VI

Sabrina and Annemarie

Sabrina Conroy, from Bellerose Village, NY, has grown up on the Long Island Sound, and came to the Waterfront Center with the intention of sharing her love of the local environment with young kids. “[I want to give] kids the opportunity to live their summer to the fullest, but at the same time I’m doing that for myself - [it’s] a summer adventure for the both of us!” she said, emphasizing her desire to be a part of a very “student-focused” program that incorporated marine education. After doing a quick search on the internet and discovering the Waterfront Center’s summer program, she mentioned the prospect to some friends, and, as she says, “the recommendations started flooding in!” Sabrina said that the second she drove up, she knew it was a place she would want to spend a lot of time: “This is home, this is where I want to be.” Aside from her interest in the environment, the 25 year-old is an avid reader who completed a degree in English from Queens College, concentrating on medieval and gothic literature. Though it is her first year working here in Oyster Bay, Sabrina is familiar with the marine environment from her many summers fishing with her grandfather on the Sound. It was for that reason that, she says, she wanted to focus on preserving the waters of the Sound - “and I’m working with amazing people!” Like many of the other counselors, Sabrina finds working with children extremely rewarding, and loves how amazed they are by even the simplest things. With such a vibrant take on sharing her love of the marine environment, I am sure our budding scientists will love spending time with Sabrina!

Fun Facts

Desired Superhero Power: “I would probably want to be able to fly, because I hate traffic!...I want to be able to get places and really live my life to the fullest.”

Favorite Sports Team: The Mets

Favorite Book: The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Sparks (“I was raised around horses,” she said)

Favorite Quote: “Life isn’t about hiding from the storm, but learning to dance in the rain.”

Random Fact: Her senior thesis, which was about vampires in literature, was printed in the Washington Archives

Joining the Naturalist team with a vivacious attitude and ample teaching experience is Annemarie Elenio. With a masters in Special Education from Molloy College, Annemarie has a passion for teaching, and sharing her own knowledge of the environment with kids who will in turn grow up to take better care of it: “I’m really amazed by different animals and habitats, and I love to teach kids about [it]”, she said, and emphasized the importance of making younger students understand the impact their everyday actions have on the environment: “I don’t think they know enough about [the environment], I don’t think they realize what’s really going on.” As a kindergarten teacher in Montauk, her own class has an entire curriculum on recycling - and she plans to continue that level of dedication to her summer students here at the Waterfront Center. When she found the program online, and found out that her brother was actually well-acquainted with the WFC, Annemarie jumped at the opportunity to be on the water doing what she loves all summer. “It’s a very rewarding job,” she said, “What I’m most looking forward to is teaching by doing - I think that’s invaluable to them.” Annemarie is an energetic and passionate teacher with a true commitment to sharing her environmental knowledge, and we look forward to the many smiles she is sure to bring to the WFC this summer!

Fun Facts

Desired superhero power: To be invisible, and to control the weather

Favorite ice-cream flavor: Hazelnut

Favorite sports team: the Jets

Pepsi or Coke?: Coke

Favorite book: Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

First Day of Junior Summer!

The First Day!

Well, it’s that time of the year again: water bottles packed and ready to go, wearing a fresh layer of sunscreen and a brand new bathing suit, smiling and ready to get wet - that’s how the WFC’s group of campers arrived this morning, on the very first day of the Junior Summer Program! The kids spent the day getting to know one another, and learning the basic rules and safety regulations that will guide their summer, all while having a blast in the water and kicking their summer off to a great start!

Gareth high-fives sailors during their swim check this morning.

Sailors eagerly await their chance to jump in and do their swim check!

For our young sailors, the First Mates, this meant a refreshing dip in the bay as they learned how to properly capsize their boats, and a rigging competition to reinforce their new knowledge of how to get the boats set up. Divided into two teams, the campers worked together to rig their respective boats, and gained points for safety, teamwork, and accuracy. The atmosphere was tense and exciting as they rushed to get their Optis rigged properly, but they were jumping at the chance to prove just how fast they could get their boats rigged! Capsizing, on the other hand, was a refreshing way to practice water safety, and the kids had a blast tipping their boats over off of the dock and carefully righting them.  

Top: Helping set up the boat by putting the rudder in

Bottom: Taylor assists a sailor as he rights his boat during the capsize drills.

In the afternoon, the High School program set out to refresh their sailing skills on Sonars with Taylor and Patrick, their instructors, and enjoyed their first sail of the summer! Instructor Patrick said of the afternoon, “They battled through the challenging conditions with a big smile.” Meanwhile, an enthusiastic group of Sound Swashbucklers set out for their own sailing adventure with instructors, and learned the basics of rigging and sail trim on Sonars (all while smiling beautifully for the camera, of course).

Patrick helps his sailors learn how to rig Sonars.

The Sound Swashbucklers head out on Sonars for the afternoon.

Overall, it was a fun first day of camp that reminded us all just how much fun summer is! With everyone out on the water, enjoying the bay and learning lots of new things about sailing and the environment, even the heat failed to stop anyone from enjoying themselves to the fullest. It’s sure to be a jam-packed week full of new activities, and I’m sure the campers are anxious to see what else is in store!

Photo Gallery

Meet the Summer Instructors Part V

Andrew and Kristen

Andrew Dejesu, who is new to the WFC staff this summer, is a well-traveled musician who is excited to have the opportunity to work with kids while spending time out on the bay. A travel marketing major at SUNY Cobleskill, the 20 year-old not only plays 6 instruments, but also DJ’s in his spare time: “Music is a big part of my life,” he says, and adds, “I also write music...I taught myself.” Andrew is from Bayville, just a short drive away from the Waterfront Center, and became more aware of the organization’s mission with the help of his family: “When the Nantucket was here, my brother and dad were volunteers on the restoration crew, and I came and helped out.” Now, Andrew is back to help kids learn more about the bay that he has grown up around, and says that he most enjoys having the chance to make an impact on their lives. When asked why he thinks it’s important to teach kids about the environment, he says without hesitation that, “they grow up with a better understanding of the world they live in, and how one thing they do today can affect what happens tomorrow.” Andrew brings with him ample experience with kids, having worked as a counselor at the YMCA for 3 years, and a passion for learning about new places: “I love to travel,” he says, and rattles off a long list of places he has been, including Alaska and the Panama Canal. With such an adventurous attitude and love of working with children, Andrew is sure to show all of his campers a great time this summer!

Fun Facts

Desired Superhero Power: The ability to breathe underwater

Favorite Flavor Ice-Cream: Chocolate

One Person From History He’d Like To Meet: John Lennon

Favorite Genre of Music: Anything from the 80’s

Aspiration: A career in advertising, in the travel industry

Kristen Marzocca, who hails from East Islip, has a true passion for teaching others about the environment: the 23 year-old is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Environmental Education from NYU. Though it is her first summer teaching at the WFC, Kristen says she is looking forward to sharing her enthusiasm for the marine environment, and, of course, “sailing on the Christeen!” For Kristen, protection of the oceans is something that she has always found important: “I’ve always been concerned with the environment, and I went down the science path for a while but I realized that I wanted to take science and translate for the average person, so that it could be used for good,” she says, proving that she will be an enthusiastic leader  on  the WFC’s Naturalist staff this summer. Working with kids is one aspect of the job that she says she will enjoy, since she loves seeing things from their perspective, and says that, “They sometimes point things out to you that you don’t realize.” We are excited to have Kristen on board this summer, and know that she will bring an unparalleled love of marine science and education to the WFC each day!

Fun Facts

Desired Superhero Power: The ability to erase pain

Favorite Book: A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron

Favorite Flavor Ice-Cream: Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food (“It’s so appropriate!” she said, referencing her interest in marine education)

Meet the Summer Instructors Part IV

These guys are true superheroes: the WFC’s team of naturalists takes the kids out everyday and teaches them about the bay and how important it is to protect and preserve it. I sat down with each of them to talk about the importance of passing on a tradition of caring for our environment, and their aspirations for the summer.

Joining the Naturalist team this summer is Connor Schmid, 19, from Garden City. A sophomore at Binghamton University who is studying Human Development and History, Connor is experienced when it comes to working with kids. Though he has worked at other camps before, he is particularly excited about working at the WFC since he’ll have the opportunity to gain more experience teaching while getting to spend his summer outdoors. Connor says that he has always had an avid interest in marine biology, and enjoys passing on his love for the ocean. So what is he looking forward to this summer? “Being able to help kids develop a passion for the environment,” he says. He hopes that he’ll help his kids have as much fun this summer as he did at the WFC as a kid, when he used to come kayaking with his dad. Connor aspires to be a teacher, and will fit right in with a staff full of future and current educators! 

Fun Facts

Desired Superhero Power: Flying

Favorite Sports Team: the Knicks

Interests: Basketball, kayaking, swimming (“Anything in the water”, he says), skiing

Andy Torrez, 24, moved here for the summer from her home in San Francisco, though she is originally from San Jose, CA. Like any good Cali girl, Andy is at home in the outdoors: she loves running and hiking, and says, “the beach is definitely my home away from home!” Having completed a degree in environmental education from City College of San Francisco, Andy is a perfect addition to the staff of devoted environmentalists here at the WFC, and brings with her a passion for adventure and positive attitude: “I think it’s important for children to learn how to take care of our world and our environment,” she said, adding that, “it’s so cool that kids want to learn about the environment!” She was drawn to the WFC because of the opportunity to gain more experience in environmental education, and after discovering the program on the internet she realized that it would be a great chance to relocate and meet new people interested in the same goals. What she most enjoys about teaching, she says, is “the excitement in kids’ faces when they learn something new”, and when they get just as excited about sharing their own knowledge. Welcome aboard, Andy!

 

Fun Facts

Desired Superhero Power: “[I would like] to be in two places at once, because there’s a lot of things I want to do but I always feel like I have to choose.”

Favorite Ice Cream: Mint chocolate chip

Favorite Books: A toss-up between Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Favorite sports team: “The Giants of course!”

Quote: “I am the master of my fate: / I am the captain of my soul.” - from “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

Meet The Summer Instructors Part III

Meet Your Sailing Instructors, Part 3: Mo and Brent

Monique Kelly, who goes by Mo, is one of our veteran sailing instructors who has grown up around the Waterfront Center, and is back for her third summer to share her love of the water: “I used to do this camp with a bunch of my friends; I just loved the community so much that I came back to spread the sailing love,” she said (with a big smile, of course). The 19 year-old is a sophomore at Colby College, where she plays soccer and studies environmental policy. The Oyster Bay native is enthusiastic about her summers spent on the water with kids, and finds it exciting that the program attracts so many different young sailors: “I love the variety of kids that come to this camp. You get to meet people from all over...from really experienced sailors who have sailed all over the world to someone who’s never been in a boat before.” For her, sailing is a good way to relax and get away from stress while being out on the water, and she hopes to share that with her campers this summer. Her love of the Waterfront Center, she says, stems from the instructors’ positive attitudes and willingness to engage with the kids; she attests that, “there’s much more learning going on other than sailing.” Mo is excited to get the summer under way, and looks forward to meeting her sailors next week!

Fun Facts:

Desired superhero power: “I would want the power to instantly zap gourmet meals at the dinner table...or wherever!”

Fun Fact: She used to ski competitively, specializing in freestyle. She still teaches skiing in the winter.

Interests: Soccer, spending time outdoors, baking, and dancing

Favorite Ice Cream: Chocolate

Favorite Candy: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

Brent Bomkamp has also spent some time at the Waterfront Center: after starting off his sailing career at Centerport Yacht Club, in Opti’s and then 420’s, he participated in the WFC’s high school sailing program. Brent, who just turned 18, will be attending Williams College in the fall, and is confident that he can survive the tough biology major curriculum! Brent is excited to finally be a sailing instructor, and says, “Teaching kids what I’ve learned over the years is going to be a really fulfilling experience.” He was drawn to the WFC’s vibrant staff, and the opportunity to share his sailing knowledge. Brent, like most sailors, knows that it’s the sport’s unique nature that makes it such an interesting skill set to both learn and teach, especially to kids: “I think it’s interesting because it’s very cerebral, as opposed to other sports that are athletics based. You have to really be a thinker to do well in it...It’s more of an individual sport, and that’s something that’s really unique.”

Fun Facts:
Desired Superhero Power: Superspeed
Favorite Ice Cream: Cookies ‘N’ Cream
Favorite Book: Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Nietzsche
Favorite Sports Team: Purdue Basketball

Meet the Summer Instructors Part II

Meet Your Sailing Instructors, Part 2: Taylor and Holly

Veteran WFC sailing instructor Taylor Forster is back for her 2nd summer in Oyster Bay, though it’s quite a distance from her hometown. Hailing from Marin County, CA, the junior at Chapman University is the captain of her school’s sailing team. “Both of my parents are avid sailors,” she said, “so I’ve basically been sailing all my life.” Taylor came to the Waterfront Center last summer after deciding that she wanted to spend the summer in New York and investigating the JSA website for job postings. Her first summer went so well that she decided to come back: “I had such an amazing time last summer - it became like my home away from home,” she said. The 20 year-old is also an avid dancer who enjoys reading, though she says she wishes she could do more of it: “I read too many textbooks now to enjoy reading!” Taylor loves that there is such a variety of programs available at the WFC, ones that allow people of all different ability levels to enjoy the sport. Being able to learn from students is an aspect of the job that she loves, and “hanging out with people that enjoy something I enjoy myself...sometimes I surprise myself with how much I actually know!” Taylor is excited for another summer of passing on her love of sailing, and to help create the “welcoming environment” that she says she loves about the WFC.

Other Fun Facts:

Desired superhero power: “I think I’d want to be able to fly: I really enjoy going to new places and creating new experiences.”

Favorite book: Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafan

Favorite Ice-Cream: Mocha almond fudge (though, admittedly, she calls it “Ja-mocha almond fudge”, a habit that began as a little kid and kind of just stuck)

Pepsi or Coke: Diet Coke!

Why she enjoys sailing: “I love being on the water...I also enjoy how dynamic it is. Anyone can get out on a sailboat, but to actually be able to sail on a high level, being able to fine tune everything, I totally enjoy that!”

Holly Constants, on the other hand, is another first-time WFC instructor who is excited for her first summer in Oyster Bay. The Locust Valley native, who is about to turn 18, says that sailing is something she’s done her whole life: “I’ve been on a boat ever since I was  2 weeks old!” She began her sailing career at Seawanahaka Corinthian Yacht Club, doing junior sailing, and has taught private lessons but never a summer program. The avid athlete says she doesn’t have a lot of free time, since she participates in so many sports, and will be attending Bryn Mawr in the fall to play both  field hockey and basketball. Holly says that it was her love of sailing as well as her desire to teach young kids that led her to the WFC’s summer program. Sailing, she says, is so different than everything else, “you can get away from everything.”

Other Fun Facts

Desired superhero power: The ability to fly

Favorite ice-cream: chocolate

Pets: “A couple of cats and a bunny.”

Meet the WFC Summer Instructors Part I

The WFC’s summer staff arrived Monday morning ready to take on a summer of sailing and sunshine! I sat down with each of them for their personalized profile on the WFC Blog, and got to know the 13 leaders that will be helping things run smoothly for the next several weeks. There’s a lot to learn, so we are featuring two instructors per post, and then will feature the Naturalist instructors. Here we go...

Up first was Alex Hering, 20, a native of Huntington, NY who is in his third year as a sailing instructor at the WFC. “My dad threw me in a boat when I was four and started teaching me how to race,” said Alex, a junior at Mitchell College in New London, CT who is studying marketing. Despite his spontaneous start in sailing, Alex began racing 420’s at Centerport Yacht Club, and moved on to racing competitively in LISOT (Long Island Sailing Optimist Team). Alex came to the Waterfront Center because, he says, “I heard it was an amazing program.” He says that he enjoys passing on his own love of sailing to others, and believes wholeheartedly in what the WFC stands for environmentally, as well as its ability to create friendships. When not sailing, Alex can be found out on the water surfing or windsurfing, or back inside playing Xbox Live. He also says: “I like long walks on the beach, and pondering my future” (he’s our resident funny guy). Alex says he lives by the quote “sail fast, live slow”, and hopes that this summer he can help his young sailors enjoy sailing as much as he does.

Other Fun Facts

Favorite Sports Team:  the Hartford Whalers

Pets: 1 dog named Kirby

Pepsi or Coke?: Sprite

What do you enjoy about sailing?

“The excitement and the thrill of going fast.”

Favorite ice cream: Chocolate chip

Desired superhero power: “The power to control wind” (like any good sailor!)

Next up is Heather Grosso, who is about to begin her first summer as an instructor at the Waterfront Center. Originally from Garden City South, NY, Heather will be attending SUNY Old Westbury in the fall, where she plans on studying graphic design and playing soccer. Heather says she first began sailing when her grandparents put her into a program: “I lived with my grandparents during the summer, and they threw me into a sailing camp when I was 6, and I did it every summer after that.” She says that she sailed in regattas during the summer but was never overly competitive, and enjoys sailing because, “It’s a lot of self control, and very fun.” Heather is most looking forward to meeting new people, and having the opportunity to share her love of sailing with her youngest sailors. She is sure to have a great summer, as she is always smiling and has contagious happiness! She said that she chose the WFC because, “It seemed like a really nice community”, and she felt like she would get along well with everyone.

Other Fun Facts

Favorite ice cream: Strawberry

Pets: 1 dog, a shiatsu named Ginger

Fun Fact: Heather’s family heritage is Swedish (we have that in common!)

Desired superhero power: Telekinesis (she said that without missing a beat - she’s definitely thought it over!)

Stay tuned for more information on the instructors and educators that will be making this summer one of the best ever!

Father's Day a Family Affair

The WFC hosted a Father’s Day sail on the Christeen, which drew a large crowd of families. The Christeen sail was just one of the many activities popular on Father’s Day this year!

A passion for sailing, like many other sports and hobbies, often begins when it is passed from a father to his children. My own sailing experience began with a beat-up old Sunfish that my dad insisted on buying. However old or beat-up it may have been, several years later it landed me on a college sailing team, where I have the opportunity to do what I love every day. Needless to say, it was my dad’s passion for sailing that helped me get there. The Waterfront Center continues to uphold this seemingly timeless tradition through programs that allow families to share the joy of sailing together, and by providing opportunities for parents and their children to get out on the water and get active, while being friendly to the waters of the bay.

This father’s day, the WFC was as busy as ever with families eager to get their feet wet for the day. The Roller family opted for a true Father’s Day treat: a Discover Sailing lesson with instructor Taylor. The course is designed for those who want to get a feel for the sport, and begin their sailing adventure with an experienced instructor who can help them get acquainted with the ins-and-outs of rigging, terminology, and basic maneuvers.

The Roller family gets ready to sail!

“My husband has always said [that] one day we’ll buy a boat,” said Alison, whose two sons joined their parents for the two-hour lesson. She said that since they have yet to fulfill their ambition of buying a boat, she figured a private lesson aboard one of the WFC’s many Sonars would be the next best thing. It was a first time for everyone in the party, but they were eager to learn and fearlessly headed down to the dock to get started. Though there wasn’t much wind (and plenty of sun), the group seemed to be having a great time together on the Sonar, taking advantage of the quality family time on the water. Their adventurous attitude made for a great day out on the bay, and it seemed that the sailing bug had been passed on successfully!

Enjoying the day, even without wind.

The Thayer family, from Hicksville, opted instead for kayaking as a fun Father’s Day activity (and a way to cool off!). “We come here all the time,” Lisa said, who looked on from the dock as her three sons spent some quality time with their dad. Steven (18), Paul (13), and Matt (10) had a blast hanging out with their dad Rob, whose idea it was to spend the day at the WFC. After all, said Lisa, “It’s his day!” Matt, their youngest son, was hesitant about the activity, and Lisa said that he is often tentative about water sports. However, with his two big brothers and dad by his side, Matt got out on the water with no problem, and seemed to be having a great time!

The Thayer boys enjoyed a day of kayaking with their dad.

Whether learning the basics of sailing or conquering a fear, it’s always good to have dad by your side - as the Roller and Thayer families proved, there’s nothing better than some quality family time, especially when it involves getting in a boat and enjoying the beautiful day!

Girl Scouts on the High Seas

“It’s WAR!” This is what I heard shouted from the crew of the Odin on Wednesday evening as they drifted lazily towards their enemies, the crew of the Jackpot, armed and ready for battle.

So who were these vicious pirates creating trouble on the otherwise calm waters of Oyster Bay? Girl Scouts Troop 3155.

The group headed to the Waterfront Center on Wednesday to earn a badge for learning the basics of sailing, but when the wind failed to fill the sails of the Sonars that they had taken out, the girls took matters into their own hands. They grabbed their water pumps and prepared for battle! As I motored between boats to take pictures, I also became an interceptor of messages for the Girl Scouts-turned-pirates.

“Tell the other boat that it’s ON!” was one such message that I delivered, and as the girls’ boats came closer, I could tell the battle was going to be epic. They filled their pumps with water, prepared their paddles, and got ready to get splashed. What a way to end the day!

The pirates - I mean, Girl Scouts - had a blast even without full sails, making their own fun as they drifted throughout the bay splashing each other and cooling down after a hot day (very safely, I assure you). Hopefully the girls learned a little bit about the sport too: after all, there’s no better way to learn than by being under attack!

Our Floating Classroom

Here Comes The Sun!

One of the best parts of visiting the Waterfront Center is, by far, getting the opportunity to sail on the Christeen. Lucky for me, I get the chance to go out every so often with the many school groups that choose it as part of their field trip experience. The oyster sloop is a great way to spend some time on the water while learning about the many diverse creatures that live in the bay, and admiring the beautiful scenery that surrounds us. Today I tagged along with the seventh graders from the Marie Regina school, who get the award for the friendliest group thus far!

Carlee shows the students one of the bays coolest and most popular sea critters, the horseshoe crab.

This enthusiastic group of middle schoolers was not at all shy about answering questions, volunteering on the boat, and sharing the cool sea creatures from the touch tank as we sailed along in the bay. They also shared their plentiful knowledge on marine science, and jumped at the chance to learn more from their instructor Carlee.

Left: Vince, Bryce, and Kyle take turns holding the horseshoe crab. Right: The students enjoyed helping get the sailboat underway, and all gasped the moment they saw the sails all the way up!

Whether helping to raise the sails or passing along the horseshoe crab to another student, these kids were an energetic and positively fun group to hang out with for the morning! When asked what she thought of the voyage, one student replied ever so simply, “It was awesome!”, and another, Vince, gave a big smile and said, “Amazing!” And it was a unanymous decision by all students that the horseshoe crab was their favorite sea creature (except for Kyle, who rebelliously answered that he preferred the welk).

Left: Passing around the mussel                         Right: The snail got a lot of attention!

It must have been the students’ bright smiles and big energy that brought the sun back out as well – after a morning of rain and cloudy skies, we hopped aboard the Christeen just as the sun was making its debut. Though the temperature remained a little chilly, especially as we sailed in some pretty good breeze, it was refreshing to see some blue skies!

More Photos

The kids were excited to answer questions about marine science, and paid close attention as Carlee shared cool facts about each animal.

Bryce helps take down the jib as we prepare to end the voyage.

Michael, James, and Phil all said that their favorite animal was the horseshoe crab - he seems to be pretty popular around here!