5 years Swimming with STH

By the Sea

Happy Summer! A warm welcome back to another summer on the Boston Harbor, only, this one's gonna look a little different than what we're used to. This has been a hectic year but that is not going to stop us from enjoying our summer. Each month has brought a new change to the way we perceive "normal" life. As it turns out, life is not so "normal". Therefore, what I look forward to the most this summer is what it will bring given the circumstances. I know everything feels uncertain at the moment, with uncertainty comes doubts, concerns, and suspicion. Instead of worrying about what our future might look like, try to focus on what is going on right now. This is the perfect time to sit with your thoughts, unwind, and heal. Summer is all about enjoying the warm weather, hanging out with loved ones, and relaxing by the water. 

For my fifth summer on the harbor, I want to achieve these 5 things before the summer is over;

1. Swim in the Harbor
2. Find a Seastar
3. Catch a stripped bass
4. Create a sea glass mural
5. Build a bond with my crew

A little bit about me; I am a rising senior at Mass College of Liberal Arts where I study Chemistry and Psychology. I love all things science, when I was younger I aspired to become a marine biologist. Although I no longer want to be a marine biologist, STH is the closest I will get to experiencing it. Since my first summer with STH, I have learned more than I ever expected about my local community and the Boston Harbor. I have become more familiar with the beaches, Boston harbor islands, and our different sites around the city. I got comfortable with being uncomfortable, whether that meant picking up crabs or hooking a seaworm to go fishing, I tried it. I did things I never thought I could do which is the best thing about this job. STH has pushed and challenged me, thus shaping the person I have become today. Each summer I feel like I have improved myself and my skills. 

I sang Haul Away Joe in the playground at George's Island. I created some cool chalk art on the boardwalk outside of the Children's Museum. I've gone kayaking in the lagoon near the esplanade, paddle boarding at CHV, and kayaking in the Charles. I've made lots of friends of all ages through our programming. My favorite thing is when someone returns and remembers me, my heart warms at their excitement. To sum it up, I am ready for whatever summer 2020 is going to throw at me. Cheers to my favorite season! 

Swimming Off

-Kharliyah

Kharliyah & Bridget 2017

Seaweed Scarf - CHV 2019 

                  

 

Hooked on a Feeling

Boston, where the first American lighthouse was built in the harbor in 1716. The harbor an essential part to the city of Boston for tourists and residents. While scrolling on Instagram, I came across the Save the Harbor Save the Bay page and I was instantly interested in their programs and philosophy. I saw that the organization was hiring for a summer Senior Harbor Educator position, my expertise with children and high school students encouraged me to apply. 

I was offered the opportunity to work for Save the Harbor Save the Bay, an organization that is the leading voice for clean water in the region. I moved to Boston from Chicago to work as a Senior Harbor Educator. Back home, I devote a large portion of my time to Best Buddies and I work with children who are on the autism spectrum. I have always had an interest in marine and environmental studies but never had the courage to apply to a position that wasn't my speciality. The first week of orientation changed that for me. 

Orientation, the night before jitters began, thousands of question and worries that I had before my first day (i.e. I don't know how to fish, never met any of the staff before...) On Monday, we met as a team I was kindly greeted by Kristen, Bridget and the rest of the staff that I would be spending my summer with. Everyone was friendly and enthusiastic, those jitters and worries immediately went away. 
Once we got onto to the boat, I realized that- what an opportunity this is, an honor for me to be at SHSB. We made it to Spectacle Island which was interesting to learn how it was a landfill. The story behind it really taught me something, that if there's a group of people that want to change something they could with persistence and patience, once a landfill; now a beautiful beach to swim and hike at. I was hooked on a feeling and I knew that this summer position was off to a great start. There is nothing better than a job that allows you to learn and work simultaneously.

At Spectacle Island, we played this magnificent “Shipwreck” game that tested our ability to listen to directions closely and bond with our peers. I would have to say that was my favorite part of orientation. 

The second day of orientation was all about FISHING. A sport I am not familiar with, but was able to "catch" on quickly. I touched a sea worm- which hands down is the ugliest creature I have came across, it bites, squirms and is hairy. I learned how to to tie a knot and put bait on a hook. I didn't catch a fish, but I held one! (FLOUNDER MAN). Now, I will enjoy fishing because the staff and peers made it an amazing time. Seeing the students get thrilled about catching a fish and not having to use their phone to have a good time gave me a great feeling. In a world of technology, seeing teens enjoy their peer's company and not being glued to their phones is an exceptional thing to see! 

I know this summer will teach me more about marine life but I am positive that this experience will impact me and change the way I look at patience, persistence and enjoying the moment I'm in. 

Crab ya later, 
Katerina 

Day 0 - Introduction

Hello world (or at least blog readers)!
   
My name is Colin McRae. I'm 18 years old and I'm going to be a freshman at NYU in the fall studying music technology. I've studied classical piano for 10 years, and I also played percussion in my school's marching and concert bands. I like to play video games, and I usually go for long bike rides to stay in shape. I'm part of a weekly D&D group with my friends, and I also try to go to pick-up ultimate disc games over the summer. I live in Swampscott with my brother (16), my parents, my aunt, and my dog Percy. Swampscott is a coastal town north of Boston (next to Lynn and Marblehead), which means that I have a long commute to work, especially because I'm still learning the ins and outs of the subway system.

Working with Save the Harbor will be a new experience with me, but I think it's a good change. I'm excited to be outside 5 days a week, and I get to teach little kids about the harbor and environmentalism (even if I don't personally know everything about it). The work I'm doing is something I wish existed when I was little, and probably would have changed the way I see the harbor now. I can't go back and experience that, but I can make sure others can. Both the kids I'm teaching and I will learn something new, and that's a good enough reason to get up early every morning to go into Boston.

The first two days have been thrilling! I don't have many of the skills I will need over the summer, but luckily I learn quickly and orientation is fast-paced. It's only been two days and I've already learned how to hold crabs, gone fishing in the harbor and caught a perch, and eaten raw (but clean) fish (Basil Freddura, the head chef at the Daily Catch, made the best ceviche I've ever eaten, right in front of us). I was taught the basics of storytelling by Norah Dooley, a professional storyteller, and got to listen to Captain Claudia Gelzer of the Coast guard for over an hour. Most of the stuff we've done has been fascinating. I'm looking forward to my actual first day on Monday. I'll be at Blacks Creek in Quincy, and despite not knowing what I'll be doing other than being there with kids, I'm sure I'll enjoy it.

See you in the next blog!

~Colin