Camp Harbor View Session Two

This past week was a bit different a Camp Harbor View. Last Friday saw the end of session one on the island. This meant that all the kids we have come to know within the past month would be leaving and we would be getting new ones in their place. The first two days of this new session seemed to last longer than usual. We had a lot of review for fishing safety as well as spending time talking to the kids to get to know them. I really liked the kids from last session, and the ones we have now seem like they're going to be a good replacement.

A cookout with all the kids

As long as they were, the first two days of session two were also very interesting. We got to Camp Harbor View just like any other. The first thing well also do when we get to the dock is to get the bait ready and pull up the lobster trap and crab trap. They bait was cut up as normal, and the lobster trap was surprisingly empty. But the real particular thing was when we pulled the crab trap. Inside the trap was, as usual, crabs, but also a baby flounder and a toad fish. Both were surprises to us as we had only seen adult flounders before and never a toad fish. I hope this is a good sign for the rest of the session.

A baby flounder

-Ian P.

Paddle Boarding & a Return to Camp Harbor View

Thursday, at Carson Beach, I finally checked paddle boarding off my bucket list! Getting on was a bit scary, I started on my knees then wiggled my way to a standing position. When I finally managed to stand I felt unsteady. Luckily, we didn't go too far out but I managed to get my bearings and learn what to do. Next time I have the opportunity I won't hesitate in taking out a paddle board, I will gladly accept the challenge!

Friday I returned to Camp Harbor View. We spent the day fishing and caught two skates! The kids loved the underwater camera and while the kids were finishing up lunch some of us created a new game called "water golf". Basically, we accidentally dropped a tennis ball in the water and had to figure out how to retrieve it. It took a while to get it in the bucket but it was fun and definitely a new experience! We also caught a baby flounder in the crab trap! We obviously threw it back but the kids loved seeing it!

Until Next Time!

 -Sam

We had a fruitful day fishing today at Camp Harborview. Two children successfully hooked a skate a piece within minutes of casting. For the two of them this was their first time fishing, let alone actually catching a fish. They were both very excited about their catches and did not want to release them back into the ocean. However, after explaining to them that skates are in fact not fish, but actually rays, they promptly liberated their trophies and began fishing for bigger game; something they could take and home and eat with their families.

Also, today we caught a surplus of Red Rock Crabs in our crab traps. The kids gathered round and delighted in seeing the crabs crawling over one another. The campers were especially interested to see the legs missing from some of them, comparing them to starfish the way they are able to regenerate their limbs. A few children were reluctant to touch the crabs fearing that they would "pinch their fingers off." However, after a  quick demonstration of how and where to hold them, it wasn't long before the whole group was taking turns!

Sincerely,

Maxwilliams Iwuala

School of Mackerel

     On Thursday was the biweekly fishing trip event at Camp Harbor View. We take the fishing club who has been fishing with us for the past two weeks on a boat and take them into the harbor. We then proceed to fish and try to catch something in order for us to take it home. Before getting to Camp Harbor View we went to a spot where there was a school of mackerel and we caught at-least 20 mackerel. It was really cool because they were using these special hook that allowed them to be able to hook 2-5 at a time, instead of the usual one.

     When we finally got the kids we went straight out to the harbor to where the school of mackerels were. But instead we were able to catch two huge totaugs. The totaugs were giving a very big fight and it took a net to bring them in from the surface of the water. It was the biggest fish that I had actually witnessed being caught. It was fun to see how much of a fight big fishes give to a fisherman. We didn't really catch as many fish as the last fishing trip, but the kids still had fun going through the motions of being actual fishermen. I really wanted to catch something because I knew this could possibly be the last time that I would go on the fishing trip. Fishing is pretty relaxing and I'm glad that I have gotten the chance to do it twice on the trip already

Sincerely, 

Ivaniel Diaz

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CHV Beach Walks and Crab Hunt

Welcome back folks, it's blog time!

        So far at Camp Harbor View we've taken kids on hikes up to the old fort, participated in the Amazing Race, taught them about sea glass and beach artifacts, and taken them fishing off the docks. This week, since the tides were with us in the morning (low) we were able to take the kids on beach walks. We showed the kids the best places to look for sea glass, showed them the different kinds of animals that live in tide pools (hermit crabs, periwinkles, Asian shore crabs, etc.).

A couple of campers from GPL search the tide pool for any signs of life.

      We also took the opportunity to teach the kids about invasive species, specifically the Asian shore crab, which eat the larvae and eggs of lobsters and other crab species native to the Harbor.Over the course of the week we started a contest between the different CHV Lighthouses (camp groups) to see who could catch the most Asian shore crabs. The campers love any chance to prove their Lighthouse is the best, so they all got really into it. The first team, M-Dot managed to catch 166 crabs, Sandy Nook, caught 169, GPL manage to pull into the lead on day 2 with 212 crabs, but Heron Nook took the contest on day 3 with a whopping 370 crabs!

Campers and counselors scour the beach, on the hunt for Asian shore crabs.

That's all for now!

Justin Warrener

Beach Walks at Camp Harbor View

This week we mixed things up a bit and took the kids on beach walks! Instead of a fascination with shells and hermit crabs the kids took a liking to the Asian Shore Crabs. All together the kids collected over 600! We invited a little friendly competition between lighthouses to see who could collect the most! The largest amount collected by one group was over 300!

As well as the beach walks we allowed the kids in fishing club to use an underwater camera to look under the surface. Other than a few crabs and a lot of rocks we didn't see much, but the kids were fascinated with that alone! They could see an environment separate from their own and it also helped me prove to them that it wasn't their fault we couldn't catch fish at the dock; there was just none to catch!
See Yah!

    -Sam

Fishing Trip #2 and my First Day At Carson Beach

On our second fishing trip with Camp Harbor View we caught some good fish! We caught a bunch of mackerel which we later used as live bait to try and catch striped bass. The kids had a great time and so did I (as expected)! This week I also spent my first day at Carson Beach which was awesome! We went kayaking and paddle boarding. It was all fun & games until we had to paddle back to shore against the current & wind. The 10 minutes trip out took us nearly a half an hour to take back in. By the end of the day I had acquired some well earned blisters from the paddle.

See you soon!

Sam

Until Next Time!

This week marked the end of Camp Harbor View's first session which means, sadly, we will be saying goodbye to all of the campers currently enrolled including the fishing club. Although summer camp has ended for these kids it makes me proud to know I was able to help give them an experience that they are going to remember as they continue through life. At the very least, they have obtained the knowledge necessary to fish-- from stringing fishing poles and attaching weights and hooks, to baiting their own rods and casting into the water.

These children have been given an opportunity to get acquainted with the Boston Harbor, a piece of their home that previously was foreign to them. They learned about the many policies implemented to clean the harbor, the new waste management system engineered to prevent the harbor from being re-polluted, and even about invasive species threatening the populations native to the area. We spent time scouring the island's beaches searching for Asian shore crabs, a subject these children are now well versed on; they can tell you the sex of the crabs, how to locate and capture them, and why they are a danger to the crabs native to Boston. The campers had so much fun working with us and learning about fishing that I've heard from many of them their plans to return next year and join our fishing club. I would love to see them again next year and spend another summer fishing the days away!

Sincerely,

Maxwilliams Iwuala

Mighty Max

Today I was fortunate enough to try Camp Harbor View's daunting high-rope course. I rode on what is called the Slingshot, a contraption where one is first hauled 45 feet into the air and then dropped at the pull of rip-chord causing them to swing about freely as if they were a human pendulum. I was amazed at the bravery of the young campers, that they would attempt such a thing; I am 20 years old and even I was terrified of the construct! I hooked up to a harness, strapped on a helmet and was "ready to fly" as was the slogan uttered by the assisting young campers who were in fact instructing me throughout the entire process.

I remember just how high that rope took you; in the beginning I was trying to convince myself that this wasn't so bad, but the rope continued to carry me ever higher until I was above the entire camp! At the top, I could barely look down let alone pull the rip-chord to release myself. I desperately wanted to come back down to ground level, but sadly I realized that there was only one way down. I pulled that chord and whoosh, my body began free falling as if the single rope keeping me suspended had detached at the pulling of the rip-chord. Thankfully, this was not the case and I began swinging back and forth, bck and forth with so much speed that I probably could have cleared a football field had I let go. Honestly, I'm just glad I didn't lose my lunch!

Sincerely,
Maxwilliams Iwuala

Off To A Good Start

     The week is off to a great start for the simple fact that I began mine at CHV (Camp Harbor View). Being a former camper for 4 years straight it's very easy for myself to become accustom to the environment, in fact their was no adjustment besides me not being able to be a kid again like old times. CHV is a very welcoming community and I see many faces that I recognize. There was a great feeling of relief on my part seeing some of the people I grew up with at camp after not seeing or hearing from them in years. Besides being the most loved and remember on the campus of Long Island the campers enjoyed the activity of finding invasive Asian Shore crabs. (Depicted in the figure below is the Asian Shore crab which is invasive due to high competition for food supply and habituation with the native Crabs)

     Being at Carson Beach was exciting although I visit all the time, this time was much different from my own personal trips. From playing corn-hole on the sand to helping kids play soccer, I enjoyed myself. It started with a great comeback in corn-hole! Honestly before that day I didn't know the rules and how to keep score... All I know was my team was down and I hate losing! So we game planned and went on a run to overcome our deficit. 

Camp Songs and the Amazing Race!

Hi Everyone! It's blog post time!


      So this week we were lucky enough to get to participate in a couple of Camp Harbor View traditions: the camp song and the Amazing Race. Every morning, before the campers get off the ferry, they all gather on the top deck to sing a camp song together, led by some of the staff there. On Thursday we got the opportunity to lead the campers in a Save the Harbor remix of one of their songs, normally called the Pizza Man Song. Our version was the Fisherman Song. The campers really got into it.

The Save the Harbor team, leading the daily camp song.

      The other tradition we got the chance to participate in was the Amazing Race. The race is basically a big scavenger hunt around the whole island.There are several stations set up at different sites across the island, including the dock, the lighthouse, the art pavilion, the great hall, and Shell Beach. At each site the teams are directed to perform some kind of task in order to get the next clue. We set up our station on Shell Beach. As each team came through we asked them to work together to find 3 different object on the beach. Usually we asked for some kinds of shell (either an oyster or a mussel shell), something man made (either sea glass, something metal, something plastic, etc.), or a blue marble that we had hidden on the beach. After they found the objects the group had to take a picture with them before getting their next clue. The kids had a great time, and the Race gave us a chance to build on what we taught them about sea glass the day before with the storytelling game.

A team successfully completes the Shell Beach portion of the Amazing Race!

Hey hey bo diddly bop,

Justin Warrener

Off to the Races!

Yesterday Camp Harbor View hosted their yearly Amazing Race. The campers and camp counseling staff raced through the course, making stops at designated race stations all over the island in search of the next clue that would aid them in their journeys. At some stations the groups were required to hold hands and form a large ring and then pass a hula-hoop around the ring without breaking the circle. At others they were instructed to create haiku poems and when given a series of three words, break apart each word in order to form an entirely new word. Upon completing the tasks the groups were then rewarded with a clue directing them to their next location.

The Save the Harbor/Save the Bay crew had a station staged on the famous Shell Beach where the campers scoured the shore in search of various sea shells, washed up pieces of sea glass, and their favorite, expertly-placed mystical blue marbles. At first many were  discouraged by the task as the shore line seemed too flooded with infinitesimally small items to locate the ones they were looking for. They soon learned that with teamwork the task became tangible and were successfully able to locate the hidden pieces and move on with the next clue.

Great job everybody,

Maxwilliams Iwuala

Exploration and Sea Glass Stories at CHV!

Welcome one and all to another exciting blog post about my adventures at Camp Harbor View!

      So, for these past couple of days we really had an opportunity to mix things up at CHV. On Tuesday, instead of bringing all the campers down to the docks for a round of fishing, we decided to take them on a hike up to the lighthouse and old Cold War era fort on the island. Some of the kids were a bit leery of going into the woods, even if there was a trail, but they soon changed their minds once we got up to the fort itself. Most of the kids already knew the story about the Lady in Red, the ghost who supposedly haunts the island, but we were sure to tell story to those who didn't. Once we got to the fort we split up into groups to explore the fort. The kids had a blast going through the dark tunnels and scaring each other (and us) and the CHV staff got in on the fun too! All in all. everyone involved had a great time exploring a piece of the history and folklore of Long Island.

Exploring the fort!

      On Wednesday we had another chance to do something different with the kids. Since the camp was having a big event during the morning, they were unable to send any kids to visit us at the docks. So instead of coming to us, we went to them. We brought our box of sea glass, shells, rocks, and other artifacts found on the beaches of Boston Harbor to the KIP building where the event was happening. The CHV staff were happy to have us there and helped us get a table set up. As the kids rotated through the different activities set up at the event, they eventually came by our table where we taught them a bit about sea glass. Then we challenged them to find something in our box that they thought was interesting and make up a story about it. The kids in each group with the most interesting stories won a special marble that they could use to enter a drawing for a bigger prize later on. My personal favorite story was one about a piece of glass that apparently was originally the eye lens of a "cyborg from another realm" who lost it in a fight with Poseidon on the beach. The kids had a great time coming up with stories and one upping each other by making their stories more and more outrageous.

Explaining the rules of the storytelling game.

That's all for now, see you next post!

Justin Warrener

Tuesday at Camp Harbor View

This week so far was very unique for those of us at Camp Harbor View. Tuesday started as any other. Everything on the boat ride to the island was the same until we were informed that we were not going to be fishing in the morning today like we normally would. Instead, we would be taking kids on a hike through the woods to show them the lighthouse and abandoned fort on the island. Everything was set to go, and we were just waiting for the kids to show up when we got some interesting news. One of the staff members at the camp informed us that on the opposite end of the pier, the pier that we were supposed to be meeting kids on, was a sleeping raccoon. He also warned us that the very tired and angry animal would be running down our direction soon and to keep an eye out for it. Just as kids were arriving to the site, we saw the staff member chasing the raccoon down the pier with a broom. We had to make a quick scurry to try to get all the kids out of the way, but it all ended up alright.

The Long Island Lighthouse

At first the kids were annoyed in having to hike up a steep hill to get to the fort. They found it annoying to try to get somewhere they didn't see as fun. Once they got to the top, their attitudes completely changed. They soon discovered the vastness of the fort, with three different levels to explore. Kids had a lot of fun popping around corners and scaring each other. They were also taught the history of the fort and its relevance in the Cold War. By the end if the trip, the same kids who didn't want to go on the hike didn't want to leave.



The top and middle layers to the Fort

-Ian P.

Adventure Time!

Tuesday, we took the kids at Camp Harbor View on a little adventure! To switch things up a little bit we brought the kids to the old fort at the top of the hill. After a short hike to the top we found the fort; abandoned and begging to be explored! Accompanied by a group of kids I went into the fort, letting them lead the way and figure things out for themselves (as long as it wasn't too dangerous!).

While exploring the fort the kids thought they heard a ghost and ran back outside. When I suggested we head back since they were too scared, but they begged to go back in, so in we went. It was exciting for not only them but also for me. Some kids were hiding behind walls and scaring each other (Okay, maybe they scared me once or twice but that was just luck), while others rambled on about who would get taken first if they were in a scary movie. It was really nice to see the kids enjoying themselves during our little exploration and I had a blast doing it with them! Their reactions and made- up stories were priceless and I can't wait until next time!

Keep Exploring!
   Sam

To The Fort

     Back on my second week with Camp Harbor View we were able to do something different with the kids besides fishing. We were able to take them on a hike to the light house and to the fort that is on the same trail. It's a bummer that we were not able to go in the lighthouse since I have never actually been in one. We were able to check out the fort from the Cold War, however.

     All the kids wanted to hear the story of the Lady in Scarlet, so I was telling some of them the story as we were walking up to the fort. They began to blame every little movement or noise on the Lady in Scarlet. It was funny to hear the stories that they have heard about how haunted the fort really was. Some campers also informed me that they have heard the same story, instead calling her the Lady in Red. The fort had many secret doors and escapes that kept the kids very entertained. They all liked to explore the dark tunnels and one camper even hid in a dark room in order to scare the others walking by. And he did just that because you could hear the screams from a mile away.

     We were still able to do some fishing with the fishing club at the end of the day. It was relaxing after having hiked up to the fort for two periods. Unfortunately, we were unable to catch anything besides a few crabs.

Sincerely,

Ivan

To Fish, or Not to Fish

To fish, or not to fish? At Camp Harbor View that is never the question! Before coming here I thought I knew how to fish, or at least enough to fake it. After receiving instruction from my senior harbor educator and the many fisherman and sailors with a vested interest in passing along the art of fishing, now I can truly appreciate the age-old saying, "Give a man a fish, he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he will eat for a lifetime."

I have never been one to get my hands dirty but when you're fishing it is certainly unavoidable. Lets say. for example, you're planning on fishing using a previously caught, or store-bought, fish for bait; you can't use the whole fish at once unless you want to return home early and empty-handed. You must cut the fish into tiny, manageable pieces in order to increase your number of casts and chances of actually hooking something. This past Monday I was delegated to filet our bait fish, a task I've always somehow seemed to have found my around. At first, I tried to go about it the neatest way possible, refraining from placing my hands on the fish and trying not to get fish all over my uniform. It wasn't long before both of my hands were covered in scales and fish juice, with no hope of being mistaken as the person NOT smelling heavily of seafood. So all in all, I guess you could say it was 

another typical day at Camp Harbor View!

Sincerely,

Maxwilliams Iwuala

Fishing Trip

      On Thursday I was on the fishing trip with Camp Harbor View. The kids were so excited to be on the trip, they wanted to get the day started earlier. Once the kids arrived at the island we pick them up in the fishing boat. Once they were on the fishing boat they were so excited to grab a fishing rod and start fishing. At first the kids started to fish and there were not many bites. But, after a little while the kids were having so much fun because of all the fish they were catching. There were kids catching flounders and black sea bass. The kids were so excited to keep fishing none of them wanted to get off to go back to camp. The kids were even more excited because they got to take the fish they caught home with them. All the kids from camp were wondering if we were ever going to do this again. Everyone on the trip had lots of fun. We didn't leave that day without everybody catching a fish.

Talk to you later
-Richard Marrero

Camp Harbor View Fishing Trip!

And we're back, with another round of Justin's summer blog!

      So this past Thursday we had a special treat for the Camp Harbor View Fishing Club. They got to go on an all day fishing trip with us, on the one and only Belle of Gloucester, captained by the famous Captain Charlie, with a special guest appearance from Save the Harbor's very own Bruce Berman, who happens to be an expert fisherman. We met up with the kids as they got off the ferry to camp. Half my team rushed to get all our fishing rods ready, while the other half made sure we had all of the fishing club ready to go. As soon as the camp ferry pulled away, Captain Charlie pulled our boat right up to the dock and we got all of the kids on board.

All of us waiting on the dock for Captain Charlie

   
      As we sailed out to our first fishing spot, First Mate Sam (a Save the Harbor veteran), helped my team and I put flounder hooks on all of the fishing rods. Then we showed the kids what we would be using for bait...sea worms! They were all pretty grossed out at first, but after we showed them how to put the worms on the hook the first time, they all got over it and started putting the sea worms on the hook themselves. Our first catch came a few minute later when one of the campers hooked a black sea bass. It was too small to keep but we ended up catching two more that were big enough to keep by the end. A couple of kids managed to land some skate, which we also threw back. By the end of the day though, every single camper and Save the Harbor staff member managed to land at least one flounder (mine was way too small to keep though).

Me, CAREFULLY tying a hook to a line.

      Eventually we had to bring the kids back to camp, but we didn't send them back empty handed. Every single camper and their club leader got to take home a whole flounder to cook.

The campers and their fish!

This is Justin Warrener, signing off...come back next week for more exciting stories from Camp Harbor View!

Ahoy There!

Yesterday the Camp Harbor View fishing club teamed up with the Save the Harbor staff stationed there and hit the harbor for a day of fishing. The kids were extremely excited to get a taste fishing from a boat, a first experience for many of them. Unlike me, many of the campers were successful at catching at least one fish and a few caught several. They learned how to secure weights on the fishing line, how to bait their own hook,  and the importance of releasing the fish that do not fit the requisite length for capture-- an important lesson necessary for the growth and success of the various fish populations.

We were fortunate enough to have Bruce Berman accompany us for our fishing trip. He showed us the insides and outs of the fishing world; which bait yields the best results, which hooks are better for hooking certain fish, and how to bait our own hooks. We were mainly using sea worms for fishing bait and Bruce wanted to prove to us that the worms were nothing to be afraid of, irrespective of their hairy legs and retractable hidden pincers. He used me for his example, placing a worm into the palm of my hand and allowing it roam around! I was able to maintain some type of composure for the children luckily, or else I might have found my way off the boat and into the safety of the harbor.

Sincerely,

Maxwilliams Iwuala