What's a summer without some more beach days?

It was August 5th, an extraordinary, and I mean a not your typical Friday, where S.T.H./S.T.B. staff united to unleash their inner amazing. When I thought that the event weeks prior at Carson Beach was amazing, that was partly due to the fact that I had yet to experience a day where all the staff got together!

I was stationed at the fishing area, it was there that the kids and I picked up these small blobs and had somewhat of a water balloon war! We saw many small schools of fish that looked like guppies who were too fast and smart to be caught. Every now and then, we reeled in a crab that would finish a piece of fish midair hanging from a hook! I was able to win over the hearts of the kids that came to the fishing station to touch or even hold a crab for their very first time.

Around noon we had a huge bonding moment, staff-to-staff, kids-to-staff, anyone-to-everyone when we sang along to some songs together. I almost forgot to mention that there were plenty of delicious hot dogs too! In this next photo you can see me brimming with excitement to dash into the wash as fast as possible when it was decided that everyone was going to get wet.

-Raymond Chai

Beach Bash and Splash 2013: Kids, Sea Critters and Hot Dogs

In the days leading up to the Beach Bash and Splash, I heard lots of the returning staff members discussing the mental preparations they were doing in anticipation of the event. Phrases I kept hearing were: “over 500 kids,” “limited space,” “we have to serve them lunch,” etc. Needless to say, I was as frightened as I was excited for the day. As it turned out, the Beach Bash and Splash, albeit a hard day of work, was a huge success and a lot of fun! Hundreds of kids from youth groups representing communities throughout the greater Boston area gathered at the Curley Community Center in South Boston for a day of beach games, swimming and lunch. The Save the Harbor staff ran different stations, including: face painting, arts & crafts, fishing, sports and a touch tank.

Warming up with a sea shanty

Along with Nhu and KiKi, I was stationed at the touch tank. Earlier that day, we had made a quick run to McDonough Sailing Center where we caught two lobsters, countless green crabs, red rock crabs, spider crabs, hermit crabs and snails. As a result, we were prepared for the day with two very well stocked touch tanks. With the arrival of the first groups, we immediately saw crowds of kids around our tanks, all shuffling to position themselves to where they could pick up the lobsters and crabs. The kids were all incredibly curious about our sea critters and they came up with a lot of great questions.

Rockin the Touch Tanks

The day ended with a hot dog lunch. It was a controlled chaos as all the kids and their counselors formed two “lines” to receive hot dogs, fruit and veggies. The Save the Harbor staff quickly turned into a bunch of hot dog making machines. From filling trays with buns, grilling, relaying finished hot dogs to the serving tables, handing out hot dogs and applying condiments, it was undoubtedly a team effort. It was probably the most exhausting part of the day and I think I'm probably set on hot dogs for the rest of the year. 

Between picking up lobsters, singing sea shanties and getting their faces painted, I think all of the kids left having had a fun, unique and memorable experience at the beach, and at the end of it all, that’s what the Beach Bash Splash (and Save the Harbor!) is all about.

Putting the splash in Beach Bash and Splash

Until next time,
Sarah C

Celebrating Birthdays: Save the Harbor Style

What better way to celebrate your birthday than fishing off the pier at the Boston Children’s Museum!  Yesterday, Mark and I both celebrated turning a year older (and hopefully wiser!) while showing kids the art of crabbing and fishing at the Boston Children’s Museum. 

Birthday twins

Team Children’s Museum has been a crab-catching-machine the past three days.  We have caught 61 crabs along with two fish, a baby Flounder and Striped Bass and cannot wait to get back on the pier tomorrow!  The families visiting the Children's Museum have loved the touch tank filled with crabs and the ability to fish - some for the very first time! 

Rowan excited about fishing for the first time

The Junior Program Assistants (JPA) have been doing a great job educating the kids on how to identify male and female crabs, the different types of crabs caught, and how to hold a crab without getting pinched.  As one of the kids said yesterday, "I don't want that crabby pinching off my fingers!"  Not only are the JPA's well educated in identifying different types of sea creatures, they also know what bait attracts the most crabs.  Veteran Junior Program Assistant, Ahmed, was quick to think of a solution for our absence of crabs this morning: hot dogs.  We purchased hot dogs from a local store and it was an instant success.  We were soon catching more crabs than ever and the kids couldn't believe the crabs liked hot dogs as much as they do!  I mean, who doesn't love hot dogs?!

Nhu showing off the crabs we've caught

Between birthdays and hot dogs things are heating up at the Boston Children's Museum.  Stay tuned to see what we catch next!

-Bridget

Children's Guide to Boston Harbor: Best Harbor Hot Dog

Hey there Harbor Explorers,

Our names are Bridget and Alyssa. This summer our job is to create a guide for your Boston Harbor experience. We will be helping you discover the best of the harbor and the many activities it has to offer. It is our goal to make sure you have the best summer possible out on Boston Harbor! For our first entry, the activity that came to mind is, of course, where to find the best harbor food for your beach adventures!  In considering both taste and cost, we came to the conclusion that Sullivan's, located in South Boston on Castle Island, is a perfect harbor eatery. Sullivan's, first established in 1951, provides all of your classic beach eating favorites, such as burgers and milkshakes, at very reasonable costs. Among other favorites are their hot dogs and their french fries.

Sullivan's in South Boston

Conveniently located at the end of Carson Beach, on Pleasure Bay, Sullivan's has easy access to fishing and swimming destinations. Customers eat at outdoor tables or in the shaded grass near Fort Independence. If swimming or fishing is not for you, Fort Independence is a great place to explore and learn about Boston History. Fort Independence, first constructed in 1634, is the oldest fortified area in the United States that is of British origin. Whatever your plans, Sullivan's is a must-visit summer location. For more information click here. Enjoy!

Sullivan's friendly staff

-Bridget and Alyssa