It's Time to Party!

It is that time again- imagine a private beach, hundreds of campers, loads of food, and most importantly, TONS and TONS of fun! Save the Harbor Save the Bay hosted their third annual Beach Bash and Splash event!

Kids were able to look at a memorial, head to the touch tank filled with green crabs, and two lobsters, fish, swim, build sand castles, and play sports!

No matter what you chose to partake in, fun was a guarantee. For most of the day, I was by the bay fishing with Tom and Anicia.


Tom, Anicia, and I started off each session separating the kids into two groups- one group of experienced and another group of inexperienced fishers. The inexperienced fishers watched Tom's detailed demonstration, and the rest started fishing. I soon found that I was constantly replacing handles, fixing lines, and untangling lines from the kids whom claimed to have already fished before. The biggest lesson I learned, while fishing with the various groups, was that the kids you should really keep a close eye on were the kids that claimed they were already familiar with fishing.

All in all, I had a fabulous time with everyone, and I am thrilled that everyone enjoyed themselves.

The most important thing was that we were able to put and keep smiles on people's faces.

Thanks :)

Love,

Karrisha Gillespie

Brave Girl!

Today I worked at the Children's Museum. Everyday I always try to find or do something that I have never done before, but the longer I work with Save the Harbor Save the Bay the harder it becomes to do something new. I have done and experienced so many different things these past three summers, but today I met a really cool person.

Mia is three years old, and is certainly the bravest child I have worked with this summer. She spotted the touch tank a mile away and sprinted towards it. My requests to slow down meant nothing to her, as seeing what was inside the tank was her top priority.

Me: Hi, what's your name?
Mia: I WANT THE CRABS!!!
Me: Can I show you how to hold them?

Meanwhile Mia already dived both of her hands into the tank! She showed no sign of fear whatsoever! I grabbed a crab and showed her the proper way to hold a crab without getting pinched!

Then she grew less interested in the touch tanks and darted towards the fishing robs screaming, "Fishing fishing!!!" I showed her the few simple steps for fishing off the docks, and she was beyond psyched!

Her attitude was so upbeat and positive. It was really refreshing to help guide her through handling crabs and fishing rods!

I love my job :)

Karrisha Gillespie

Second to Last MLK Scholars Workshop!

I always love attending the MLK summer scholars workshops. They are always engaging and interesting, plus also I enjoy meeting and interacting with the different teens and adults. This summer we have danced, discussed finances, and this week we talked about race, and the future of Boston.

Dr. Joseph, a professor of History at Tufts University and author, was today's guess speaker. He started off briefly, yet detailed lecture defining race, talking about some of the various issues our country faced economically and socially. He mentioned that we would not be where we are today if it were not for the abundant organizers, activists, and supporters. Dr. Joseph brilliantly summarized key points highlighting pivotal moments in history and relating them to today's society. He ended off showing a touching footage depicting the struggles and success during the Civil Rights era.

We concluded with a short question and answer. This dialog was important to me because the time is so crucial more now than ever. People, including myself, are so uncomfortable with the topic of race and economics. It is not common to talk about race at my high school. How can we build understanding, and move forward if we are all too scared to communicate?

Thanks,

Karrisha Gillespie

Third is the Best!

My third summer working with Save the Harbor Save the Bay was great. This summer was filled of meeting amazing people and tons of learning. I have enrolled in a SAT and college preparation class in addition to working. I was beyond tired after working five days a week, so going to classes as well brought this summer to another level.

Great lessons were learned through all my various commitments. And the probably most obvious lesson learned was communication. It is hard to select my favorite moment this summer, but I guess it would ultimately be a tie between the Fishing tournament and the Baseball Clinic.

I am both excited and nervous to return to school and tackle my Junior year!

See you all soon.

Karrisha Gillespie

Bonjour!

It is no secret that Boston is heavily populated with tourist, especially during the summertime. And after working alongside the dock, at the Children's Museum for 3 years, it begins to feel like taking a tour of the United Nations. However, this is perfect, as I love interacting with people and learning about other cultures. For these reasons, it is always a pleasure working at Children's!

Me showing a small green crab to my new French friends!

My sister, Anicia, and I are fascinated by languages, so every time we are exposing families to the Boston Harbor, and pick up on an accent, we always try to figure out where there are from. This summer we have interacted with families from: Columbia, Jamaica, France, England, Scotland, Austria, Nigeria, and Germany!

Wow, those are a lot of accents to discover. Last Thursday I spoke worked with a friendly French family. Their son was extremely excited to fish, and observe our aquarium filled with crabs and fish!

Explaining the Harbor to a French family

My limited French vocabulary did not mix too well with the lovely family whom spoke primarily French. However, I was able to ask Miriam, who speaks Haitian Creole to communicate with the family.

Working for Save the Harbor provides us all will great opportunities to broaden our horizons in ways you would not necessarily have taught!

She held the crab!

P.S: I accurately guess a person's accent 98 percent correct while Anicia is about 85 percent accurate! We still have a few weeks to go!

Staff Day 2013

Bye Boston...Hello Spectacle Island!

On the ferry leaving Boston

Staff Day is always a day full of laughter, jokes, and smiles! Each year varies depending on the group of staff that we have, but one thing always remains the same. And that is, LUNCH! Bruce and Patty, gracefully always caters us with hot dogs, chips, grapes, cheese, and cookies!

2013 Staff

This year we did not do our traditional Capture the Flag game, instead we played woffel ball and kick ball. My team surprisingly came up short in woffel ball, but definitely redeemed ourselves during Kick Ball!

The winning kickball team

It was an awesome day, and we were all prepared to leave on a 2:55 ferry, as Bridget planned, but were bummed to find out that there was no 2:55 ferry! We missed the 2:30 ferry, and the next one wouldn't be until 3:55! Thank you, Bridget!

See you next year!

Karrisha Gillespie

Baseball Madness!!!

Last Saturday a few summer staff and I attended Fenway Park's Annual Baseball Clinc. This year, Fenway staff partnered with Coca-Cola to dedicate their Saturday morning to help promote healthy lifestyles to young people such as myself.

I have never attended a Baseball Clinic, so when Bridget explained that we basically practice baseball skills and do baseball drills with Red Sox players, including David Ortiz, I was all in! I have always loved the park and I love the Sox, so it was bound to be an awesome Saturday.  However, there was one catch...

Our day started at 9:45 AM.

We started the day listening to a speech about the negative effects drug usage, such as steroids, may cause to the human body. One fact that I shocked me was that the largest steroid users are now high school girls! Girls, there are many ways to get into professional sports, using steroids isn't one of them!

The day lightened up, and we participated in various work out drills that the Sox players often use. Then we listened to another speech on nutrition and how a healthy and balance lifestyle is critical for a happy life!

I picked to show everyone a renewed way to do jumping jacks!

Everyone do it on 3! 

1

2

3

GOOOOOOO!

One of my favorite part about our day, was listening to Jose Iglesias and Ryan Lavarnway's journey to the major league and what it is like being a part of the Red Sox's franchise. They were both inspirational, funny, and most importantly humble. My sister and I were sitting front row, and I was going to ask them to take a photo with us for memory's sake, but they said they were going to meet us back in the entrance, so I decided to wait. Unfortunately, they were unable to do any meet and greets, so we were unable to take a photo with them :(

The lesson of the day: DON'T WAIT! BE ASSERTIVE!

It was not the best way to end such an awesome morning, but it did not ruin our day!

Better luck next time, right?

Karrisha M. Gillespie 

Dance!

This morning the MLK Scholars danced the morning away...literally. For our second workshop, the MLK coordinators made this workshop all about fitness through the art form of dance! I have done some dance back in the day. My favorites have always been tap, ballet, and hip-hop. However, I have never danced like we've danced on Friday!

Save the Harbor MLK Scholars!

First and foremost, I have never danced with such a skirt. Many of my co-workers came, well...undressed due to the gap week in between workshops, so appropriate attire seem to have slipped between the cracks! Nevertheless, we all have put forth 100 percent of effort and had a blast doing it!

WE CAME PREPARED!

Secondly, the moves the dance group shared with us were a cool mixture of contemporary, jazz, and hip-hop. It was exhilarating!

Let's dance!

The day was pretty sweet. Readers, please remember that no matter how busy you are, taking 30 minutes out of your day to focus solely on fitness is key to a happy and healthy life!

Anicia, myself, and Kiauna 

Thanks!

Get Your Fishing Face On!

On Thursday, Save the Harbor Save the Bay hosted our 3rd Annual Fishing Derby! In the past, the derby was reserved for Junior Program Assistants only, but this year we expanded and included the Senior Marine Educators! This told me two things: 1) This derby was brought to a whole new level 2) MORE COMPETITION.

The Save the Harbor Save the Bay 2013 Fishing Derby Crew

These days are always fun, engaging, and enthusiastic. In fact, the Fishing Derby is and always was one of my favorite working days! But, just when things seem perfect, something always comes up! Today it was Mother Nature. The weather was predicted to be windy, cloudy, and have scattered showers! JUST WHAT A FISHERMAN WANTS, right? Nevertheless, the Save the Harbor team did not allow weather hinder our awesome day. Plus, for the second time in all of my years knowing Bruce, I got to see him ditch his cargo shorts and wear pants!

Bruce wearing pants while helping Will's brother release a Flounder!

Dream Team! Left to right: Kiauna, me, Bridget, Mark, and Anicia.

We separated into groups and my team, the Dream Team, consisted of: The one the only, Bridget R., Anicia G., Kiauna P., Mark R., my mommy, Marline Brown, Captain, and myself! With a team like this, I knew were destined to win!

We started our day off with the Dream Team hand shake and understood that a 40 inch bass was needed to be caught!

We baited our fishing rods, and casted off. Minutes passed and no bite. Hours passed and surprisingly still no bite. Our boating proximity was limited due to the weather, so we were restricted to Deer's Island, Castle Island, Spectacle Island, and Hull. 

About halfway into our fishing trip, I asked our captain if he would allow me to steer the boat, and mentioned that it has been a tradition ever since I started working at Save the Habor. I was extremely happy that he allowed me to :)

Me asking the captain if I could steer the boat!

Captain directing me to a green booie.

Within our 3 hours of fishing, we caught, nada! Nevertheless, this day has always been so special to me because I love being out on our harbor. Swimming is awesome but there is something about being on a boat surrounded by water. The feeling is both beautiful and humbling. 

Waiting for a bite!

Although the Dream Team came up short, we still had a wicked awesome time and are winners, because we were able to spend the morning out on the Harbor!

Better luck next year!

Co. Captain Karrisha Gillespie

Please Don't be a Crab...Please Don't be a Crab!!!

ATTENTION SAVE THE HARBOR SAVE THE BAY BLOG READERS!!!

Last Wednesday I caught my first fish of the season! It's never really too late, right? Lately My sister, Anicia, and I have only been catching baby fish using our crab traps, fancy right?

Wednesday was an especially nice day due to the extreme high tide. However, there were no children around. So the three Junior program assistants: Mark, Hung, and I decided to have a fishing competition! We all set our rods, hooked bait, and our game faces were on!

I was determined to win and nothing...I mean nothing will get in my way. However, to my surprise, I was not the first person to lore in a fish. Mark was the first place winner.

Rather than giving up, I tried harder and waited longer. One minute later, my rod started bobbing up and down. It was not me. I reeled in my line, and BAM!!!

A baby Heron!

Hung later caught a fish too! You must remember to keep your line and bait close to the surface as oppose to the bottom where crabs can snatch your bait! Today was an awesome day. I hope this is an indication for a fishy future :)

Bye,

Karrisha 

Children's Fun at the Children's Museum :)

Hello Readers it's me, again :)

Today was a well spent day out at the Children's Museum.

Our Children's Museum crew: Davis, Anicia, myself, Chris, Manny, Ahmed, and Hung.

First things first- According to Mother Nature, the only way to have a SUPER AWESOME experience out on this site requires weather no cooler than 90 degrees. Today was superb due to the record high 99 degrees :) Thank you, Mother Nature!

The Children's Museum is always enjoyable particularly because of the vast array of kids you receive on a day-to-day basis. A day spent at the museum is always a surprise with each day being different from the last. My day started off with showing brothers, Noah and Jacob, the basics of fishing. They were extremely excited about learning how to fish, so when presented with the opportunity to get to it, I was greeted by smiles from ear to ear by Noah.

Mark R. setting up the fishing rods.

Noah and Jacob were both speedy learners.

Here are some simple tips for fishing at Children's Museum:

Step 1: Pick out any fishing rod

Step 2: Hold the fishing rod in a comfortable position

She was extremely comfortable with the entire fishing concept!

Step 3: Gently hold the line

Step 4: Flip the Bail and watch the line plummet into the Harbor

Step 5: When you feel that the line is at an appropriate level to lure in a creature, flip the Bail to its original position


Following these 5 simple steps will lead you to an aquarium full of crabs and fish!!!

Ready?

Set?

GO!!!

The baby Heron we caught!

"May the odds be ever in your favor."

-Karrisha Gillespie

Working At The Boston Children's Museum

Today i caught the first fish at the children's museum. I was so excited to catch my first fish this summer i was starting to loose hope 3 weeks in . The fish i caught today was a small herring about maybe 4-5 inches long . My two co-workers Karrisha and Hung also had some luck out there today too each pulling in a catch for themselves. All together we had 15-20 crabs and 3 fish.

So far i love working at the children's museum this summer. Everyday we have something for the kids and their parents to come look at. Its always a great feeling to teach a kid who's never been fishing before how to fish. Overall had a great day today and hoping to catch some more fish tomorrow!


Mark Rose

What's a Green Crab?

It's Funday Monday everybody, you know what that means!

Boston receives an impressive amount of  tourist year round due to our culture, history, amazing sights such as our Harbor, so it is never a surprise when international families visit the great ole Children's Museum. However, they are also commonly confused then intrigued by our Save the Harbor station directly outside of the museum. We always welcome families to fish, crab, and invite them to check out our own small aquarium where sometimes you may see a spider crab, green crab, or baby flounder, and if it's a good day you might see all three!

So I had the pleasure of assisting a family that was visiting all the way from Australia! This family was keen to learn how to fish. No problem, Save the Harbor will get the job done. Usually, people rely on crab traps and bait to catch them crabs, but keep in mind perhaps that's not the only way to catch a crab!

Mark baiting the crab trap.

I worked with Chris who has never fished before but was determined to do so.  I showed him the different features of the fishing rod ie: the reel handle, the reel foot, line spool, line roller, bail, and drag adjustment and showed him how to properly us it.

Chris and I sitting awaiting a fish to nibble on our bail. Here fishy fish!

Fishing skills are heavily dependent upon one's patience. And if you wait just long enough...You just might catch a...

Chris was extremely impressed about catching a crab with a fishing rod!

A fish! Chris and his siblings were all amazed by his catch! They were amused with waiting the crab eat our bait! They all learned that the crab that was caught was a green crab because it had 5 pikes on both sides of his eyes! 

Chris and sibs.

Today was eventful and full of surprises! We were all glad to provide this family with such an unforgettable experience! Looking forward to many more!

Karrisha Gillespie

First Time on All Access

On Thursday, we brought four different groups out to George's Island. Many of the campers and camp counselors have never been on the island prior to the trip, so the pressure is always on to make it an even more memorable day for everyone.

My task today was to show the Paige school, located in Roxbury MA, what George's Island was all about. We started off searching for invassive crabs ie: Asian Shore Crabs and Green Crabs along the beach. Most of the kids preferred looking under rocks, where we found a ton of Asian Shore Crabs. While other kids enjoyed searching for crabs in the water.

Page kids searching for crabs.

After catching 15 crabs, we have all agreed to take a break to skip rocks! 

The girls were all proud of our findings.

 

Nava worked diligently to find the perfect rock to skip!

Later we headed to the dock for some more crab observing and fishing.

Nava, a eager and bubbly young girl, was extremely scared of touching, yet alone holding a crab. However, it was clear that she wanted to do it, and with a little encouragement, in no time, Nava was holding two crabs at the same time.

Brave Nava :)

It was hard getting Nava and her friends to leave the crabs.

Today was definitely one of my favorite days working at Save the Harbor!

Thi and I cleaning up after fishing!

Blog you later!

Karrisha Gillespie