Fishing on the Pier

hello again!
When a group comes to Carson and says that they want to go fishing, I almost jump with joy. The kids get so excited to go fishing. They run and jump and always get so excited to fish. They cast, and reel, and in some cases, I am not the only teacher in the group!

In one of the last fishing trips, one of the campers had shown so much leadership skills that she started helping me teach. She explained how to cast and reel, and took extra time with kids who were having trouble. She also insisted on calling me over when she could not answer a question. She took charge, and really impressed me! She also proved to be a very patient teacher as well.

She impressed me big time with how well and how strong of a leader she is. She both helped me and more importantly helped the others in her group. She is a great leader, and I won't be surprised when she does great things in the future.
-Joe

Clamming with Muddy Friends

Hello again! Last week on Carson we went clamming with a group so big, we needed to separate and take turns, and all the kids where so excited. They ran up and down the beach and jumped right into clamming when they got the chance. They LOVED it. They dug up more clams than any other group so far, and they still gladly put them back when they where done.

While finding clams, we also found tons of periwinkles, and even a couple crabs. The crabs were very small, and some of the kids where scared at first to touch them or even look at them. They all ran to see the crabs and periwinkles. The kids loved to look at the crabs (but not hold them) and to collect the clams. The loved everything about the activity, even the mud. For some, I think the mud was their favorite part. We are constantly having fun and learning while on the beach, and I learn just as much as the children do!

Till next time-Joe 

Volleyball on the Water

During the week, we had enthusiastic group that invited us to start a game of keep away. We gave them the volleyball in the water, and they decided that was what they wanted to do with it. As we volleyed back and forth, everyone got better and better. Everyone took turns being in the middle and people even started jumping for the ball. As the ball went higher and higher, it also got thrown farther and farther. People had to start swimming for the ball. Serious dedication on their part, and I liked it.

The water was cold and the sun was hot, but everyone in the group was having too much fun to notice. We all jumped and laughed and had so much fun. We all worked together, and that means we all worked with people we never met before. Talk about trust. We volleyed back and forth and had several people in the middle.  Even though I was not very good at being accurate, I only ended up in the middle once. I had so much fun with the group and I can't wait to see who comes next. 

Till next time-Joe

Fishing and Football

Today we had tons of fun! The first group we had were interested in starting a football game almost as soon as they arrived. They made plans and plays all day until they had lunch. They ran up and down the sand, throwing and catching, having fun with their friends, teammates and the harbor explorers. All of the kids had so much fun, we already have plans to continue the game in the future.

After football, another group went down to the water to learn how to fish. They had a blast. We didn't catch anything, but they had fun just learning to cast. They all took turns casting, helping each other and always asking questions if they didn't know how to do something. Honestly out of all of the groups I've taught to fish, this was one of the calmest and most patient of them all. 

I'm excited to see everyone again and to continue the fun of the summer, Joe. S

Pirates and Fish Prints

Recently I participated in an event with the South Boston Neighborhood House at Carson beach. While at the event, I was sent back in time and became a pirate. Norah Dooley, as the pirate Mary Read, came with supplies to turn the rest of us into pirates as well. The kids looked and waved at me all during the event. They loved it. It was a little strange for me, only being able to see out of one eye. As I walked around looking at and talking to both kids and adults, I got looks and "argggghs" from everyone.

At the event, we also had fish printing. Most kids really liked this. They loved picking the different colors and seeing the real fish. They picked the colors that they liked and where those colors went on the fish. The kids' faces lit up when they saw how the colors transfer from the fish to the paper. I have no doubt that the kids who went home with a print will hang it up and have fun memories of the experience for a long time.

Until next time-Joe

Ooey Gooey Slime

I took a group clam digging on Tuesday. They were all so excited to go and see what lives under the sand. I passed out all of the sand rakes and smaller tools for clam digging, and we started walking down to the water.  The kids got to the edge of the sand and instinctively started asking questions. What was the muck that the low tide uncovered? I told them about the mud, and the creatures that lived in it. They were interested in what I was saying maybe for a moment before they ran off to dig and stomp around.

They splashed and dug. They all ran through the muck, searching for clams, crabs and worms. They seemed to always be asking questions, always wondering out loud and wanting answers. That is what I learned about kids this week, kids are really curious. They want to know everything. And even if no answer can be given, they are still going to ask. With enormous smiles on their faces, they never seemed to mind when I didn't have the answers. They just picked up their materials, thought for a moment and asked me the next question that popped into their head. This was my favorite part of the week so far; the children's never-ending curiosity. Always wondering, always questioning, never giving up!

Till next time-joe

Sand Raking Sea Turtles

        

During the week, we had a group of energetic campers arrive at Carson Beach after a long and slow morning. When they arrived, I was wicked happy to see the empty beach spring to life. When I got over to where they were, I asked if any of them wanted to do some sand raking. Many of them had no idea what sand raking was, and yet almost all of their hands sprang up into the air with enthusiasm. They each took a sand rake, and together we found a clear spot for our artwork to be. They made a portrait of summer. They made a whole stretch of beach into a portrait dedicated to summer. The entire time, they talked, laughed, and worked together to make suns, lemonade stands, and many other signs of summer.

They also made animals like this sea turtle. They had so much fun. I can't wait to see what they create next. The rakes have been a hit all week and I don't see the kids putting them down anytime soon. I suspect we will see a lot more happy suns and other signs of summer in the weeks to come. The kids love sand raking and will keep making these wonderful pieces of art on the sand. 

More fun to come!

-Joe Sheehan

New in from southie

Hello my name is Joe Sheehan. This is my first year with Save the Harbor Save the Bay. I am nineteen years old, and was born and raised in South Boston.  I am stationed on Carson beach in this summer. I am an upcoming senior at Boston Collegiate Charter School.

I love the beach and I am excited to see what the summer has in store. I previously worked as a camp counselor at the Joseph P Tynan School, so I have experience engaging with children. I have a feeling that this summer will be even better than that, because I get to spend it outdoors on the beach, informing children that this harbor is alive! Most of all, I can't wait to go fishing and teach kids from all over Boston about the harbor and what live in it's waters!

It's going to be a good summer!

- Joe