Is It Really Over Already?

It’s hard to believe that summer is already over! It seems like just yesterday I was cluelessly wandering the Boston Fish Pier trying to find the elusive Save the Harbor office and telling myself that I would eventually get used to the intense fish smell (not quite so). But alas, time flies when you’re having fun, right? Over the course of these short weeks I have had the opportunity to explore unique parts of the Boston Harbor, work with some of the best and most dedicated coworkers, catch more crabs than I had previously thought humanly possible and meet some of the most curious and inspiring kids from the different Boston communities.

I came to Save the Harbor with the hope of sharing my enthusiasm for the environment and I can confidently say that I achieved that goal. Seeing all our Harbor Explorers show up early every single day (even on those gray and rainy ones) ready to get their hands dirty was incredibly rewarding and inspires hope for future generations of environmental conservationists.

Each day brought new experiences and my list of favorites from the summer would be endless. But, here’s a quick list of things I am already missing:

1.     Crab Races

2.     Sharks and Minnows

3.     Starting the day with the amazing view from Piers Park

4.     Shoreline walks with Southie kids

5.     Lobstahssss

6.     Impromptu dance parties on the dock

7.     The unconditional love for Save the Harbor staff

8.     Spending the day with goofball kids

A special shout out to my JPAs - Jazeel, Monique, Nhu, and Vinh. The summer would not have been the same without you guys. Thanks for showing up every morning with smiles on your faces. The East Boston and Southie kids (and me!) will never forget their summer with you.

Until next time,

Sarah C

J

All Access Peddocks Island

Hi Everyone,

The final two days of All Access we were able to visit another Harbor Island that we hadn't been to  this summer. The Island is Peddocks Island.  Peddocks Island is about seven minutes beyond Georges Island and very close to Hull Massachusetts. These trips started out just like every All Access trip where we met the groups at the Bank American Pavilion. After all groups arrived we headed down to the Provincetown II but unlike other All Access trips we allowed families to take part in the two trips to Peddocks Island.

The soupy thick fog that made it impossible to see while on the boat

One of the kids makes his frisbee in the pin

As we set off to Peddocks Island it was like any other normal boat ride except when we were passing Georges Island you couldn't see in front of you because of the thick and soupy fog.  Due to the fog the Captain had to sound off the horn quite frequently just to make sure there were no other boats in the way. Once we arrived at Peddocks the first thing that caught my eye was the big open field and the three holes for frisbee golf. After eating lunch I played some rounds of frisbee golf with a group of the kids. Most of the kids never had played frisbee golf and some of them didn't know how to properly throw a frisbee.  Before we started playing frisbee golf I taught the kids how to hold and throw a frisbee. Then I explained the rules of frisbee golf, followed by a few rounds of golf. One kid almost made a hole in one.   It was an impressive throw to say the least. After playing frisbee golf the kids wanted to play a game of wiffle ball. Manny A and Mark brought a group of kids over to set up a game of wiffle ball.

During our two days at Peddocks Island I was able to take a swim.  The water was pretty chilly but I just couldn't pass up a chance to swim. My only regret was not being able to explore more of the Island and walk around to see the camp sites or other parts of the Island.  I did enjoy being able to visit another Island. The Frisbee Golf was a blast!

Till Next Summer!

Adios,
Davis

A Day of Firsts

Even though Wednesday was the last day of the summer youth program, it was still a day full of firsts for me. With all the Harbor Explorer programs finished, I got to join the All Access Boston Harbor crew and boarded the Provincetown II (for the first time) and headed out to Peddocks Island (another first!). It was really foggy on the water and it felt like we were traveling through the mist towards the end of the world. Suddenly, out of the clouds appeared a giant wind turbine followed by sightings of land. The fog moving over the island gave it all a very surreal look.

Into the unknown

Upon landing, we had a quick lunch break in the shade and then headed to the grassy field to play some Frisbee golf. I learned that aim is not a strong point of mine. Later, I went with Iris, Juelle and Jennifer to explore the island. We found a great scenic overlook and the yurt campsite. The yurts were adorable and each one was equipped with bunk beds, table and a skylight. A camping trip to Peddocks will definitely be on my to-do list for next summer.

Gettin' their frizz on

After touring the island, I headed down to the shoreline to do some fishing with a few of the families that joined us for our last AABH trip. Unfortunately, we caught mostly rocks and seaweed. But, all our young fishers were in good spirits and had just as much fun flipping rocks to find Asian Shore Crabs. It was a lovely day exploring a new corner of the Boston Harbor with my wonderful coworkers and our AABH participants – all in all, a great way to close out the 2013 summer youth program.

-Sarah C

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

My good bye to you.

        Hello readers!

Ready to Save the harbor and the bay.

      I am sad to announce my Good bye to you. Anyways no need to be sad because we had a lot a fun this summer by visiting Island, fishing and catching crabs.I hope working here again with you guys next summer.
In beginning we all were excited and ready to learn Thanks to Save the harbor/save the bay I learned something new everyday, making new experiences with the kids by kayaking and sailing sometimes also I got to be in different site working with my JpAs and others and knowing new places.

Watch and learn.

Community service.

 Although, we went a lot through this summer and I think next summer we will be ready for you guys to

experience more things. I would to thanks my senior educators thanks to them I catch my first sun fish.My next more will be Stripped base.

My first sun fish.

Thank you for all of your support.

-have a great 2013 summer.
                                                       Bye.
                                                                                           -Myriam.

Farewell to an Amazing Summer

I cannot believe school starts next Wednesday – where did the summer go?!  Oh wait, my summer flew by because of the incredible experience I had working for Save the Harbor/Save the Bay.  As a teacher, many friends questioned why I wanted to work all summer when I was on “vacation.”  They explained that this was the time to explore new places, meet new people, and relax.  What they didn’t know, is that was exactly what I was doing this summer.  I learned more about Boston Harbor than I ever thought possible.  I went on trips to George’s and Spectacle Islands, rode Codzilla, pulled up lobster traps, toured the local fisheries, helped coordinate a beach bash for over 700 children and adults and is just to name a few.

One of the best parts of being the Summer Youth Program’s Lead Teacher was getting to know each SME and JPA that worked for us.  Many of the JPA’s attend Boston Public High Schools and I cannot wait to watch Myriam play volleyball, Hung score goals on the soccer field and Monique hit home runs.   Some of the JPA’s are heading off to start a new chapter of their life at college and I couldn't be happier for them!  Luckily for us, they are all staying within the Greater Boston area – Northeastern, Salem State, UMass Dartmouth, and I am particularly excited to watch Ahmed play basketball at Stonehill College!

School ended late due to ridiculous amounts of snow that pummeled Boston this past winter and delayed my start at Save the Harbor/Save the Bay.  I didn't get to participate in the Senior Staff Orientation nor meet any of the Senior Marine Educators until day numero uno of our "All Staff Orientation."  I was nervous to meet the Senior Marine Educators (SME) but quickly learned that not only were we a diversely, talented group but fun and enthusiastic as well.  This is more than I could have asked for in a summer staff!  Constant communication, laughing, and hard work made this year's summer staff all worth while.

While everyone has their favorite parts of working at Save the Harbor, I would have to say that this summer I really enjoyed…..

1.  The Red Sox Clinic sponsored by Coca-Cola with Save the Harbor staff and some of the O’Bryant Softball team!

2.     Clam Seeding on Thompson Island.

3.     Pulling up the lobster trap at McDonough.

and 4. Visiting Spectacle and George's Island on the All Access Boston Harbor trips.

I cannot wait to see what next summer has in store for Save the Harbor/Save the Bay!

Now back to those 8th graders......

-Bridget

All-Access a second time!

My second time on all access was even better than the first time. Even though I have already been to George's Island, I had a whole new adventure. It started off as a normal all-access day meeting up at Bank of America Pavilion and taking to the young kids going to the harbor islands with us. At 10:30 we make our way to the Provincetown II. The Provincetown II is a huge boat that can fit a ridiculous number of passengers. There are three floors with two concession stands on the bottom two floors. The Provincetown II is a perfect boat for the number of kids we bring out to the harbor islands and we are always extra careful because we would never want to lose anyone on such a positive trip.

fun on the deck 

We finally make it to the island and all the kids spread around the island eating lunch and enjoying the nice weather. The island has great spots to chill by and relax. I usually go to the center of George's Island in the big open field to play sports. This time I made my way to the dark tunnel. The tunnel was extra hilarious. This group of kids were what I would call half way courageous. They all wanted to step foot in the tunnel but always ended up running back out the way they came. Only about 4 kids actually made it all the way through. The kids were all screaming in fear which hurt my ears in such small space. All access is great because we also got to bring our friend Lionel along and take him to the islands which he has not gone to before. Isn't that what all access is all about?

Running scared (Ahmed and Lionel on the right)

-Andy

Bittersweet Conclusion to an Amazing Summer

This was hands down one of the best summers I have ever experienced.  It definitely took my mind off the stress of being an incoming freshmen in college. I knew my summer with Save the Harbor would be different but I had no idea how epic it would be. I was so lucky to be placed at Courageous Sailing Center this summer with my wonderful SME Sarah Bailey.  Easily the best memories with her this summer.  She is a great person and a very educated teacher.  I learned a lot from her and she even helped me with my college requirements which she obviously did not have to do. I am really grateful for all of her help and I am happy to have been placed with her. Courageous was a very fun site with a lot of opportunities for a fun experience. The other site I was placed in was Community Boating on the Charles River which was super fun. I was able to go kayaking for the first time in my life. I  loved my time there every morning and really appreciate it.

I would like to thank Bruce and Patty for allowing me to work here and be able to enjoy this summer with the Save the Harbor Team.  Thank you for all of the cool events like the fishing competition, the beach bash and the Red Sox clinic. I would also like to thank the Save the Harbor Team for welcoming me and allowing this summer to be as amazing as it has been. This team is very diverse with a lot of different backgrounds but that means nothing because we are all a family. I love this type of environment because no one is judged and it is all smiles and good times.

Thank you to all of you again and enjoy your lives wherever it takes you!

Save the Harbor Team and Sponsors

It's So Hard To Say Goodbye

      Hello everyone, hope everybody had a great summer.  I'm a returnee for the Save The Harbor Save The Bay so it was great for me to come back another year and work. I met a lot of new staff and connected with a few people this summer. I enjoyed my summer working here. Also, I learned how to fish, give educational talks on marine life and Boston beaches to children and families all over Boston. I enjoyed working at various work sites this summer also. I experienced a lot this year, and holding a 3 pounder lobster was really cool! He would be yummy for dinner! Haha!  Overall, I had a blast working with STHSB once again. Thanks for everything. Farewell my readers.

  

My first time holding a 3 pounded lobster!

It's not bye, it's see ya later!

Capturing moments

Bye!
-Juelle Benjamin 

Friends of Wollaston Beach KidsFest

Hello Everyone,

 Setting up our touch tank!

Last weekend I was part of the Friends of Wollaston Beach KidsFest event. Upon arriving to Wollaston Beach I was greeted by Neil McCole who is the head of the Friends of Wollaston Beach group. We set up our touch tank to include Larry the Lobster, a green crab, clams, a razor clam,  hermit crabs, and  periwinkles. By the time we were done setting up the touch tank,  the rest of the beach was over taken by loads of kids.

Tom teaching kids about the marine life in Boston Harbor

Along with our touch tank we helped out with the various of activities that were planned for the event. Activities included: the Football toss, the frisbee toss, and potato sack races.  After each game the winners were called up to the front table to claim their prize.   Music played during the entire KidsFest.

One of the main attractions of the event was the annual duck hunt.  In the ocean were a bunch of rubber ducks that had numbers written on the bottom of them.  Each kid ran into the ocean to grab a duck and then waited for Mr. McCole to call a number.  Once Neil McCole called the lucky number one  little boy ended up winning a Kindle Fire HD tablet.

Winner of the duck hunt

Now came time for the marble hunt in which all the kids were searching Wollaston Beach to find a blue and while marble. If they found one of those precious marbles, they would be entered to win a round trip ticket on Jet Blue to fly any where in the United States.  After that it was time to wrap up for the day.  What better way to end the event than to have a dance party on the beach!

Overall, it was a great event that brought a community of families together.  No better  way to spend aa summer afternoon than by having a big party on the beach.

See ya' next time when I blog about my adventures on Peddocks Island!

Adios,

Davis

The Boston Children Museum

   Greeting my readers!

    The Boston Children Museum is a nice place for fishing, crabbing and enjoying the nature.We Save the Harbor/Save the Bay usually in a blue shirt ready for you to having fun with some playful learning and good activities.People are looking at us as we fishing and casting. Juelle and I are having fun at picking up the crabs and show random people or little kids how to hold it so they couldn't get pinch. Families, kids and others.. were having fun with us at the children museum.

fish.

  Most of the kids like holding Mr. crabs and also like fishing. As we are casting there was 2 blue fishes pass right by to the fishing rope and we only caught one. There were a lot of crabs in our bucket. The kids called it crabs city.People were excited to learn from me while I did a mini-lesson with them about the ocean and how to protect it and also show them some sea critters we caught.

doing a mini lesson.

It was a really fun day at children's museum.We had a lot of people who were interesting at fishing and we also had to make a line because we don't have enough fishing rope for everyone. Anyways, our work here was done and everybody was happy.At the end of the day they were sad because they didn't want us to leave but I told them they come to our office and also we here every summer.

oufff.. what a line.

-stay fishy and crabby
                                                          Myriam.

Food Fight!!

Ready for action.

After spending the last seven weeks getting to know the kids at McDonough Sailing Center, I expected to close out the summer with nothing less than utter insanity. And they did not disappoint! The Save the Harbor staff and I were informed that every year the kids celebrate the end of the summer with an Ice Cream Sundae Toppings Food Fight followed by everyone jumping off the dock. The days leading up to the event, all the kids were doing was some serious strategizing: “whipped cream is fun, but chocolate syrup is better because you can shoot it from a distance,” “caramel sauce is the best because its really sticky,” “sprinkles are only good if the person you throw them at is really covered in chocolate.” Needless to say, everyone, including the Save the Harbor staff, was eagerly counting down the seconds until the 1pm Food Fight start time. At 12:50 you could see kids moving anxiously towards the dock, syrup and whipped cream at the ready. With the sound of a horn, sheer chaos broke out. It was a mass of nearly 100 kids of all ages squirting chocolate syrup, strawberry sauce, whipped cream and caramel on everyone and anyone in their path. Sprinkles and maraschino cherries were flying through the air as everyone turned into human sundaes. It was all over in about 15 minutes and by the end of it, kids were covered to the point that they were unrecognizable.

Sundae Topping Madness

The aftermath

 After all the syrup and whipped cream bottles had been thoroughly emptied, there was a mass ocean plunge as everyone jumped off the dock into the freezing water. There was so much sundae topping everywhere that even after cleaning the dock (three cheers for power washers!) the place smelled like chocolate syrup, even in the water. It was my first sundae toppings food fight and I hope it won’t be my last! With all of its silliness and camaraderie, it was the perfect way to close out the summer at McDonough.

Save the Harbor Sundaes!

-Sarah C

Goodbye Everyone :/

Its been a nice seven weeks working with Save the Harbor/Save the Bay. Waking up early every morning was a struggle. I'm not a morning person, but I made sure I woke up early just to see the smiles on the kids' faces. Sometimes I arrived at work not feeling like myself, but when I saw the kids I immediately was in a better mood. I had the best time working at McDonough Sailing Center and Piers Park and I am going to miss all the kids sooo much.

I hope to work with everyone next year. It was nice working for Save the Harbor this year. I learned a lot through out the weeks. Everyday I learned something new. I enjoyed working with Sarah, Nhu, Vinh, Myriam and Jazeel. I would love to work with them again because they made my summer fun and enjoyable. Byeeeeee everyone! Enjoy the rest of the summer and hope to see you guys next year :D