New to Black's Creek

Early morning at Blacks Creek.

This Monday was my first day at Blacks Creek in Quincy and it was super fun. I learned how to play gaga ball and I learned that crabs can molt their shells off.

In our second group of kids, a young girl found a molting crab and placed it in the touch tank. As I watched her trying to pick it up I decided to try to help her to hold it properly. I grabbed the dorsal surface and pulled it out of the water to place it in Molly's net and grabbed the underside and noticed it felt soft to the touch. I quickly pulled my hand away in fear that something was wrong with the crab and called over my senior harbor educator, Zach. After Zach's close observation he told me the crab was molting, in other words it was shedding its old shell because it had out-grown it and was in the process of growing a new one. It felt soft for now and as time passes the shell will harden. I never knew that crabs outgrew their shells and it was an amazing experience to be able to see the transition.

Before

Molting Crab

After

When the groups came we introduced ourselves and role played our favorite sea animals, then got to fishing with dip nets in the creek. We caught plenty of green crabs and Silversides and, if you observe closely in the tank, there was a small shrimp. After fishing we would go up the hill to play games and sports such as dodgeball, kickball, and gaga ball which I learned how to play and it was so fun and exhilarating. I enjoyed being there as much as the children.

Around 11 we ended the program and went on our lunch break and after we returned to Boston's Children's Museum to finish up the day. I got to add some chalk artwork along the walkway for pedestrians and guests to see as they walked by. Overall I had a really good Monday!

It's lit

-Khar

Fishing:Monkey See, Monkey Do

Last week on Thursday, August 11th, I had rushed back to Boston from the Capes to make this huge fishing trip on various boats! I slept whenever I could on my commute back to Boston and I fantasized about the huge fish I would come across. Not long after I arrived, everyone was split up with an assigned group led by boat Captains who would take us out to fish with the hopes of landing any large sea creature that could take the spot as the "largest catch!" I ended up on a small boat that was able to coast along the edges of water just a few feet above sand led by John and Al. I learned that these guys were from the Brighton area themselves and when they started telling me about their fishing experiences, I knew without a doubt that I was in good hands. It was unfortunate to hear that by the time we had reached John's Striped Bass hot spot that the tide was too low and that the larger fish probably left. Minutes had barely passed by when we snagged our first fish, a Striped Bass! He was roughly 26 inches, to small to keep. 

John and Al were telling me techniques to snagging Striped Bass and Blue fish! Things like making sure to troll the fishing rods to attract fish that are primarily surface and medium depth water feeders like the Blue fish and Striped Bass! We made sure to constantly use fresh bait and soon enough we landed our second Striped Bass. Then we got the call. Immediately our boat pushed past a few islands to be around "Graves" and "B.G." code names for areas in the harbor/ sea where these fisherman have nicknamed. We were now on a hunt for Blue Fish and we had arrived to the party late. We still managed to snag a huge bluefish that both John and Al had to wrestle into the boat!

-Raymond Chai

Camp fire and drawing

The second week is over and it feels good! When the summer first started everything was so new and uncomfortable but as the weeks go on its getting better. I have become accustomed to doing things on my own and getting into the swing of it. Not having to go to my peers when someone needs help with fishing or if they have a question is the best feeling. Being able to do all these things feels good. I still need assistance from my coworkers but not as frequently. They still always teach me new things. We implemented drawing and coloring onto our site at the Children's Museum. I think I had more fun doing that then the kids did.

Thursday we attended the Eastie Campfire that they hold once a month. The event was such a good time. We looked for hermit crabs, clams and other sea creatures, they were so excited whenever they found something. Then we stuck around and participated in dancing, I never knew about this event until now. It's so much fun and there should be more like it!