April Break with Boston Harbor Explorers at Atlantic Wharf Part 1

On Wednesday, April 18, Atlantic Wharf and Boston Properties hosted Save the Harbor/Save the Bay's Boston Harbor Explorers' program for April Vacation Week Programming. Save the Harbor staff, interns, and junior program assistants were joined by 17 kids from Dorchester YMCA for a morning of sea chanteys, art projects, fishing and of course an up-close encounter with Scooter the Lobster at the touch tank!

YMCA Dorchester kids enjoying a beautiful, sunny day fishing on the harbor

The kids broke off into groups to learn more about the harborside, and each group took turns at different Boston Harbor- themed stations. The first station was fish printing, where the Dorchester YMCA kids channeled their inner artist by making Gyotaku fish prints with scup and mackerel.

Kids had the chance to touch Fiona the Rock Crab at one of the stations

At the touch tank, kids had a chance to meet Scooter the Lobster and Fiona the Rock Crab. They were fascinated to learn about exoskeletons and how to determine if a lobster is a female or a male. The kids also learned about crustaceans’ diets and their role in Boston Harbor’s ecosystem. 

Next the groups had the opportunity to color different types of marine life like lobsters and flounder. They taped their creations to a fishing net hung on the wall, making a beautiful mural for everyone to enjoy.

The kids had a blast at the last station, learning how to fish and set crab traps in the harbor. By the end of the morning, the groups were baiting, casting, and reeling like professional fishermen!

Everyone enjoyed learning the famous "Haul Away Joe" sea chantey.

After the stations, everyone gathered to learn and sing the official Save the Harbor sea chantey, "Haul Away Joe", a reminder that that when we all pull in the same direction we can get almost anything done, whether it’s raising the sail of a tall ship or cleaning up Boston Harbor.

A great photo to commemorate a day of learning and having fun!

And of course the day wouldn't be complete without the delicious lunch from Boloco, courtesy of Atlantic Wharf!

Save the Harbor/Save the Bay is grateful for our amazing partners at Atlantic Wharf for continuing our great tradition of excellent vacation and summer programming at their outstanding location on the Fort Point Channel.

Thanks also to James Hook & Co. for lending us Scooter and Fiona for the morning!

For more information on our Youth Programs and other similar events, visit savetheharbor.org and check out our blog - blog.savetheharbor.org