Day 4, July 12

     Yesterday we packed up camp and left Janes Island for the last time. We got to the Sigsbee early since we had a long trip ahead of us. After the students set sail, they again spent the morning practicing navigation and learning about the bay. This time the students tested the water in the bay for nitrates and phosphorous. They also learned about plankton, and at the end of the lesson they were able to make their own plankton! Throughout the morning the students were again active in sailing the boat: keeping watch, steering, watching the weather, and identifying different types of birds that were spotted. 

       It was a warm and very sunny day, so after a lunch of sandwiches the crew surprised the students with a bucket party!!! A bucket party involves having someone sit on a bucket on deck while others pour another bucket of water over them. The student is asked a question before the water is poured over him or her, but it doesn't matter how the person answers, either way they are going to get soaked! Almost all of the students participated, and everyone had a great time chanting "bucket party nahnahnahnah!", laughing, and watching others get drenched in water. When the game was over the students dried off in the sun while playing Wink Murderer, the game that the students have been obsessed with this trip. 

        Finally we reached our destination at Calvert Cliffs on Solomon's Island. Calvert Cliffs are beautiful clay cliffs that have preserved many fossils in their sides. We learned more about these fossils when we visited Calvert Marine Museum. It was Otter Mania Day at the museum, so we got to learn about otters from a worker at the museum while watching the otters play. At another point we were able to reach into a tank and touch sting rays as they swam by. While at the museum we also learned about fossils, explored a historic lighthouse, and learned the history of the area. The students were again careful to learn as much as possible so that they could write about the museum in their field guides. 

          After all the excitment we went to our campsite where we set up camp and grilled hotdogs and hamburgers. Everyone feasted at dinner, and when I say feasted, I actually mean feasted this time. About everyone had at least two entrees, and many had three! After cleanup we spent the rest of the evening playing games and talking about our days during circle time. It was a beautiful day!