Welcome Back Kharliyah!

Excited

I am super excited to be back at Save the Harbor for summer 2017! I have so much to look forward to this year and meeting new people and making new friends. This is my second year working for Save the Harbor because I loved it so much last year and decided to return. I am 18 years old and a recent graduate from O'Bryant high school, moving on to MCLA as a freshman in the fall. I learned a lot from working at Save the Harbor last summer.

I'm at the All Access site again, can't wait to get back out to the islands and catch something. The looks on the children's faces warm my heart and I love how ready they are to learn about marine life and the harbor. I also am looking forward to learning more about Boston Harbor and the history around it and sharing it with everyone I meet this summer. Can't wait to share stories and facts about myself and Save the Harbor with everyone.

Here's to a hot, fun Summer!

-Khar

Tropical

A Change of Pace

We caught a fork and some sea creatures on our line.

My first day working at Children's Museum was amazing! Everyone has tons of fun and we were all able to enjoy the beautiful summer weather. I arrived at Children's at 1:45 which is when we typically get the most visitors. For about an hour straight all our fishing rods were in use and there was at least one kid looking at the crab in the fish tank. During this time two visitors were able to catch a crab using their fishing rods! Sadly the crabs let go of the line both of these instances, and we weren't able to reel them in. The kids didn't seem to mind, they were just excited they got something on their lines.

The View from Children's Museum.

Later in the afternoon Rusenny, Vince and I started playing a very competitive  game of four square. Soon enough we were able to get some of the kids that were just fishing to join our game. They spoke limited English so it was somewhat difficult to explain the rules, but they caught on quickly and then all four of us were able to enjoy a nice game of four square. Everyone was laughing and competing, which was great to see.

Until Next Time, Abel Yohannes

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