Adapting to a new setting

After being at Camp Harbor View for at least a week and a half, I have come to a conclusion as to what my feelings are for this site. I absolutely enjoyed this site a lot!

I had the chance to explore the fort at CHV with some of the group of kids and was out for wild adventure! Similar to Lovell's Island, there were some wild blackberries growing along the hiking trail at this camp. The kids were super excited to loop around the fort and explore the abandoned structures! I couldn't contain my urges to make ghost noises as the groups flowed into the dark rooms. Everyone was on the lookout for poison ivy since we were given a warning that some of the kids in previous weeks had been exposed and experienced some allergic reactions. Sadly, I ended up getting a rash on my fore arms due to being in contact with the old structures rocky terrain, something must've scratched me and had irritated my skin. With the reassuring nurses at CHV, I had my rash site smothered in anti-itch cream, ultimately resulting in me being back to normal by the time Miss Peddocks II arrived to pick us up off the island.

On my last day on the island, I had a chance to play Chess during my lunch break with this Chess champion named Ed! I could see how he earned the title of being the Chess Champion as I tasted bitter defeat a few times before lunch was served. While engaging him in Chess, I learned about his teaching career and how he taught the kids at the camp for quite a few years how to think ahead using the chess pieces. I am proud to say I was able to earn myself some praise from Ed, as he said " You're not too bad!" followed with a couple of chuckles. Being a avid checkers players, I was able to find in myself some appreciation for this strategic game too!

One very important lesson that I learned from this island is that you can sneak vegetables into your dessert! The next time you have a craving for some chocolate-y sweets, try zucchini brownies. Packed with cooked vegetables alongside zucchini's is this soft chocolate brownie breading that gives regular brownies a run for its money!

Thank you guys for reading this blog, hope you're looking forward to this next one,

Raymond Chai

Reminiscing

Water bugs always on his mind
 

Fly guy Zach

As the summer is past the mid point, I started reflecting on Blacks Creek. Our last week there was so short, we only had programming there on Monday and Tuesday. I hadn't realized that we would not be returning this summer. This means I haven't said my goodbyes! I reflect back on the children that we meet, I remember the first week feeling like we would have a good summer but nothing out of the ordinary. Leave it to Save the Harbor to prove me wrong, I fell in love with Blacks Creek and everyone involved with it. The kids personalities really started to show after the first week, we meet the most unique children I have ever encountered. We had Nick who refused to touch a crab or have one near him, although I did manage to get to him to pick one up when he was feeling very brave. The last week he brought in a winter glove so that he could scoop them up without hesitation. There's our friend who only cared about bugs and would spend all of our time together searching for water bugs.  We encountered many siblings, this was my personal favorites. It's fun to see them interact with their brothers and sisters. I learned that seven year olds can throw much farther than me, which was really embarrassing on my behalf, the kids thought I was joking when I would throw as far as I can. The kids taught me to always be involved to have fun and learn new things. Then we have the Blacks creek staff, don't even get me started with the crew. I felt so blessed to be out with the staff I was. I felt instantly comfortable with them and they never failed to make me laugh. The summer at Blacks Creek would be nothing with out them and the children. I feel connected to the site now and hope I will get to go back next year!

Taking in the beautiful scenery 

Catch ya later,
Ana