Easy fishing on the River

We have never had a bad day fishing at Community Boating. As soon as Annie starts mixing up carp cookies the fish swarm. We can usually reel five fish or more in a very short time, better than any other site. The kids all love to fish and the easy fishing is what makes CBI a really great site.

-Scott Wortman

Enthusiastic Courageous Kids

At Courageous Sailing Center, you never have to go far to find your group of kids. As soon as we arrive, they swarm us. They all want to fish. They aren't there because their mom made them or because they need something to do before they go sailing; they come to us at a time when they could be relaxing or eating lunch. They would much rather head down to the dock and try their hand at fishing, crabbing or lobstering. The enthusiasm of the kids, coupled with the relaxed atmosphere of Courageous Sailing makes it one of my favorite sites.

-Scott Wortman

Motor Oil Bottle

Today at Piers Park a few kids noticed an old motor oil bottle floating past the dock. They were excited as they realized it was their chance to do their part saving the harbor. After a few unsuccessful attempt to retrieve it; I stepped in and pulled the bottle in with a fishing rod. After this, the kids tried to remove any and all debris they could from the water. When I saw a log, about a foot in diameter and five feet long float past, I knew I was in trouble. The kids pulled it close to the dock with some nets. I asked them if they wanted to pull it in. They all wanted that log up on the dock. I figured it couldn't be too heavy so I grabbed some line, tied a couple of bowlines and looped them around each end of the log. Sarah and I tried to pull it up with no luck. It was much heavier than I originally estimated. Over the next half-hour, we tried many different methods to pull the log up without success. Eventually, we had to push it back out to sea; at which point I explained that driftwood wouldn't do any harm to the harbor.

The enthusiasm that the kids had was incredible and their desire to help clean up the harbor was truly admirable.

-Scott Wortman

Charles River Kayaking

I had no idea what to expect as I arrived for my first session at Community Boating. I was already dreading the noise coming from Storrow Drive as I crossed the footbridge. Shortly after we began, Community Boating quickly became my favorite site. Why, you might ask? The first thing we did after a quick (but very fascinating) lesson on eels was kayak. I used to love to kayak when I was younger and I hadn't done it for years. Our kids seemed almost as excited as I was when I heard we were kayaking out to drop the eel trap. After securing what I deemed to be the fastest looking single person kayak; I pushed it off the dock and slid in. It all came back to me pretty fast. I was having the time of my life kayaking on the Charles, and the kids didn't seem to mind it either.

Paul giving a quick run-down on basic kayaking

I cannot wait to return tomorrow, when we plan to mix up some of our very own Save The Harbor carp bait, and maybe even reel in a couple fish.

-Scott Wortman

Revere Sandcastle Competition

It was a gorgeous Sunday at Revere Beach. It was breezy, eighty five degrees and there was not a cloud in the sky. Inside the learning center tent, we were able to teach kids how to hold a lobster and were able to teach them a little about lobster anatomy. We were also able to educate a few concerned adults on the sustainable nature of the lobster fishery in the Northeast.

Unfortunately the lobsters, which were from the supermarket, did not enjoy the attention - or the heat. All in all, this event was a great success and a great way to spend a sunday afternoon!

-Scott Wortman

My first summer with Save the Harbor

Hi, I'm Scott and this will be my first summer with Save the Harbor! I have been on the water my whole life either boating or beaching. I am excited to have work doing two things I love, being on the water and working with kids. I already had a great time during training, finding a die that made it into the visitor's center on Spectacle Island and fishing in Fort Point Channel. I am trying to keep this pithy, but I will finish by saying that I am excited to start work at Blacks Creek and Camp Harborview tomorrow!

Better Beaches Kickoff!

Hi, I'm Scott and I'm one of the communications interns this summer at Save the Harbor/Save the Bay. Last Monday I had the pleasure of joining the Senior Marine Educators and a few other staffers at the YMCA Better Beaches summer kickoff event at Constitution Beach in East Boston. As soon as I walked across the beach to the Save the Harbor table I realized that, even though it was a Monday, this was an exciting and energy-filled event. Throughout the afternoon there was music playing, YMCA kids enjoying games of flag football, volleyball, and other sports I didn't even recognize, and a generally upbeat atmosphere with everyone sunbathing and taking advantage of the summery weather. I think the highlight of the day for all of us at Save the Harbor was the marine life showings that the Senior Marine Educators did for any young visitors to our table. A steady stream of kids came to pet lobsters' tails, hold moon jellyfish in their palms, and examine kelp and periwinkles. This was a great addition to what was already a great summer afternoon to start off the Better Beaches programs of the summer.

A few photos:

Sheuli dropping some knowledge about a periwinkle.

Connor showing off a lobster.