FIFA World Cup Save the Harbor Edition

As usual the kids never cease to fail us, and as an organization we keep up with the demand! After having a great lunch, Lindsay and I took a group of kids with us to the meadow to have an afternoon of fun filled sports! Our Home team was, a returning group from last year, Paige Academy. The away team was East Boston YMCA, and their team of favor was Argentina. In a few minutes we had our very own FIFA World Cup.

East Boston YMCA came out with brute force and used their natural skills and soccer background to maintain a 1-0 game. The children even shocked us when a few of them did a fake play on a corner kick. It was a great day, afterwards I took a few kids to the top of the island to enjoy the view. All
went well for our first day out on the island, despite the fact that I was thrown into the water during the end. On the bright side we have tons of weeks of kids to surprise us! Logging Out!

-Ahmed Hassan

Ode to a Great Summer!

Hi Everyone,

I can't believe I am writing my farewell to the summer blog already. It feels like we just finished orientation not so long a go. When the summer started at Save the Harbor I didn't know what to expect. I was very excited to see what was in store for this summer. Before this program started I couldn't tell the difference between a male/female crab nor identifying a green crab.  I had a lot of firsts this summer. These included first time: to the Harbor Islands, to pick up a lobster trap, to catch a spider crab, and to fish off the Fort Point Channel at the Boston Children's Museum.  I had the opportunity to spend my summer on Boston Harbor.  Now that's how you spend a summer! By summer's end I learned a lot more than just teaching kids how to kick or throw a ball or throw a frisbee.

Along the ride this summer I met so many incredible people. All of the SMEs I worked with this summer were awesome! Not only were they great people but they also gave me lots of laughs along the way.  One of my favorite parts of the summer was being able to work with the various JPAs. I am so proud of them. They all come from different backgrounds.  I was able to learn from them as well. I wish them all the best this year in the new school year. I also wish well all the JPAs that are off to college.  I know they will do great!

The All Access Crew of 2013

Now to my favorite times of the summer. What I enjoyed the most about this summer was having the opportunity to take over 5000 kids out on a boat and spend a day at either Spectacle or Georges Island. I met so many great kids from the various programs throughout the greater Boston area that included our games of kickball with Paige Academy, aka Team Flex, or playing Ultimate Frisbee with the Base Enrichment groups out of Braintree. These are just some of the amazing groups that I was able to meet over the summer.  Not only were all the kids great but I had a phenomenal Senior Staff at All Access. Without Carolyn, Thi,  and David Coffin this program wouldn't be as awesome as it is!  I just want to thank all three of them for all the hard work they did this summer to make sure that All Access was the best it possibly could be.

Save the Harbor staff at Beach Bash 2013

More great times this summer were spent at the various beach events that myself and other staff members participated in. These included helping at Family fun night at Carson Beach bathhouse in South Boston, or introducing  the kids on Wollaston Beach to Larry the Lobster.  The granddaddy event of them all was where every Save the Harbor staffer helped with Beach Bash.  This was where
700 plus kids came together for one big party at the Curley Community center in South Boston

After looking back at all of these great times and events that took place this summer, I can easily say this was an AWESOME SUMMER!  I wish everyone the best and hope to see you next summer at Save the Harbor!

Until Next Summer!

Adios,

Davis

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

The final day of the first week of All Access Boston Harbor which was a week that was fun filled. Activities ranged  from wiffle ball to crabbing to soccer to fishing to the tours of the tunnel all the way to an awesome game of kickball.  As the day started off mother nature wasn't looking to promising. The rain came pouring down as the groups of children arrived at the Bank Of America Pavilion to depart for George's Island. By the time we arrived at George's Island the rain had stop. Now it was time to enjoy the afternoon.

Upon arrival at George's Island I was stopped by a few children who were doing a scavenger hunt. I had a bruins jacket on and one of the items on their list to find was to get a picture with someone who was wearing a bruins jacket. So I helped them out but taking a picture with them. 

Here I am taking a picture for a group of children who were having a scavenger hunt.

Here one of the children from Paige Academy kicking a line drive back at David Coffin

Now the off to the ball game. Once Paige Academy was finished with their tour of Fort Warren they gathered with us to play a game of kickball. We quickly picked teams so we could start our game of kickball. This kickball game had everything from diving catches, to home runs, to jump catches, to sliding into base, to plays at the home plate. This game was very high scoring. No lead was safe. After all the fun and dust had been cleared we ended up finishing in a tie at fifteen runs a piece. The best part of the game was being able to interact with the children from Paige Academy. They were a great group of children who enjoy having fun! That was just what we did! 

Here I am kicking a line drive in to center field for a double.

Can't wait for next week as the All Access Boston Harbor crew make a stop at Spectacle Island! Also the beginning for Frisbeach!