Day 2, July 10

Today was full of challenges and excitment! We began the day early, getting up around 6:00 and then quickly breaking down camp. We feasted on a breakfast of cereal and fruit, and by 10:00 we were ready to set sail again! Today was refreshingly cool and cloudy, but we were still careful to apply large amounts of sunscreen. The students were even more involved in getting the boat underway, putting their newly gained knowledge to the test through practice under the crews guidance.  They again showed great eagerness to learn and help out, and volunteers were never lacking! 

Unfortunately, the water was rougher this morning, and a few students temporarily battled slight sea-sickness. Soon, however, the sailing became calmer and all the students felt well again. During the morning the students were divided into the Port and Starboard watches. The two watches each went with a different crew member for lessons. During their lessons they learned about navigation and creatures in the Chesapeake Bay. 

After lunch, the students encountered more excitment when the crew announced that we were going to trawl fish. Trawling consists of dragging a trawling net through the water, catching fish and other creatures. Commercial trawling in the Chesapeake is illegal, but the Sigsbee has an educational permit that enables it to fish with a trawl net. Essentially, the crew on the Sigsbee is allowed to because it has a very small net which hinders it from catching too many species at a time, and they also throw back the creatures they catch. The students watched as Rohan prepared the net and stood by to pull it in. However, soon he needed the assistance of the crew and even the students as the net had become stuck on something. Everyone fought their hardest to free the net, and eventually the net was freed! Our catch was smaller than expected: just a bit of coral, a summer flounder, and an immature female blue crab. Still, the students had a great time examining and identifying the creatures. 

That evening we headed back to shore for a fantastic dinner of meatball subs! The students heard about the importance of not wasting food, and happily put this new-found knowledge into practice. The day ended with one last surprise, free time for games on the field or card games!

Day 1, July 9

     Hello! Today we began our adventures on the Chesapeake when we left Saint Mary's City around 1:00 this afternoon. We enjoyed beautiful weather and smooth sailing all afternoon. After we ate lunch and set off, Rohan, the first mate, took the students to go over boat and basic sailing rules. Along with learning about the boat, the students were also able to help sail the boat by raising and lowering sails and making various knots and coils of rope. All in all it was a beautiful afternoon!  

      Around 5:00 we docked near Point Lookout State Park, where we camped this evening. At camp the students each contributed to setting up camp. They all set up their own tents, enthusiastically helping each other out. Everyone helped to make tacos for dinner, and by the time cleanup after dinner was finished it was time for bed. We are all excited for more adventures tomorrow!

Day 9, July 8th

Today is the day.  The students have set off on their final voyage aboard the Sigsbee.  Yesterday wahad been a long day as they sailed across the Chesapeake bay. They trawled for fish and learned about different species and their habitats.  They also mastered a number of tricky knots used by sailors on sailing ships.  Today though, they relax and enjoy their final voyage.

Everyone woke up this morning and took apart camp and ate breakfast in record time.  We boarded the boat and slowly made our way out of the little harbor were we had docked for the night.  Once we had made our way out into the Potomac we raised the sails and made our way along the northern shore heading for St. Mary's college.  There the vans awaited our arrival to carry us back to Baltimore where showers and phone calls awaited.  That will not be for a few more hours though, so for now we enjoy one last sail aboard this good ship, the Sigsbee.  

Day 7, July 6th

The day began with a hot breakfast of French Toast and strawberries.  The students ate quickly and cleaned their dishes because today was going to be a big day and we needed to get to the boat.  We loaded up on the Sigsbee and headed out into the bay to try trawling for fish.  As we headed out into the bay the water started to get choppier, but the Sigsbee pushed ahead.  Then we came upon a surprise, another boat dead in the water.  The Jubilee was having engine troubles and was trapped in the rough weather.  The Capitan gave the kids some first hand experience in following the maritime code by offering to tow them back to the marina.  The students watched as we tied the Jubilee behind the Sigsbee and towed her back.  Since our fishing trip had been cut short we dismounted at the dock and set out lunch. 

After lunch the students and crew headed for ferry that would take everyone to Tangeir Island.  On Tangeir Island the students got to wander in the gift shops and meet residents whose family had lived on the island since it was settled in the 1600's.  They also go to visit the local museum, which talked about the history of the island and about the interesting dialect that residents of the island have.  Historians believe that their dialect is closer to English spoken in the 17th century than any other dialect.  After a long exhausting day everyone hopped back on the ferry for the trip back to camp, ready to eat dinner and get some sleep.

Coming into Tangier Island

Tangier Island

Playing cards with Rohan

Day 6, July 5th

At this point we're just over halfway through our journey.  The weather and wind has calmed down and hurricane Arthur has passed on by so we're back on the bay.  The wind is blowing, the sails are up, and the boat is swiftly moving along.  We've got some free time on the boat so we're going to post each kids favorite moment of the trip so far.

John-

"My favorite part of the trip was experiencing how to work on a sail boat.  I liked raising the sails and sailing around the chesapeake bay.  I really liked crabbing, I'd never done it before.  My favorite part was eating all the crabs at the end of the day, and learning how to eat them without using a mallet to smash and savage the meat."

Maddy-

"My favorite part was seeing Fourth of July fireworks along the coast of the bay and the starry scenery above us.  And occasionally seeing fireflies buzz by on the beach.  Walking down to the beach at night was really spooky but once we got there it was soothing to listen to the sound of the waves."

Spandana-

"My favorite part so far was going to the beach at night and watching fireworks for the Fourth of July from different cities on the horizon.  Also, playing with the sparklers and looking up into the night sky and seeing the stars. I've really enjoyed bonding with everyone."

Henry-

"My favorite part of the trip was staring at the stars when we were on the beach.  Learning to navigate was fun and doing the day to day operations of the boat was enjoyable.  I'm looking forward to steering the ship and learning more about the bay."

Emily-

"My favorite part was catching and eating the crabs.  It was fun to be on net duty and catch the crabs and they were really tasty.  I also liked the fireworks that we saw."

Mark-

"I'm going to say that even though you're not suppose to put ketchup on hotdogs I'm going to do it anyway.  I enjoyed sailing the great ocean brown, you have to say the ocean brown or it's just not the same.  It's not about the destination it's about the uh how does it go, it's about the journey."

Izac-

"My favorite part was going crabbing with Captain Clay.  I liked dancing on the crab boat with everyone in my group.  I also really enjoyed looking at the stars on July fourth as the waves touched the shore.  I've also enjoyed bonding with everyone, and getting to know them.  I'll really miss them after the trip."

Benjamin-

"It was really amazing seeing the river otters at the maritime museum and trying to eat fake cookies.  I really liked getting my hair done, I looked fabulous.  Thanks Maddy.  I really loved steering the boat around the bay.  The Fourth of July was really fun."

Lauren-

"My favorite part was running down the beach with sparklers on the Fourth of July.  I love camping with my best friends every night.  It was really fun coming back on the boat and seeing Joe and Rojan.  Giant Lobsters rock my socks."

Ryan-

"Sleeping in beds

Instead of in sheds

Taking a shower

Instead of getting fouler

Laughing and having fun

Instead of on the run

That is the pleasure of staying in the dorms.  Also playing with sparklers on the Fourth of July was amazing as was looking at the stars."

Araceli-

"Unfortunately everything was so fun that I ended up making new friends.  I liked sailing and learning about crabs.  The sigsbee was the most beautiful boat I've ever seen.  Its giant sails reminded me of the moon.

Day 5, July 4th

With Hurricane Arthur coming from the east,Captain Joe had to make some tough decisions.  With the winds picking up the Sigsbee changed course and headed to a port on the western side of the bay.  Even though this change of plan would mean that the trip would last 9 hours, the students stayed positive and had a good time learning how to operate the ship.

The next day the students enjoyed a delicious breakfast of pancakes and sausage and loaded into the van.  First we headed for the Calvert Cliffs.  From the parking lot to the beach was a quick 2 mile hike ending in a beautiful beach full of shells and sand.  The park ranger loaned the students some sifters so they could search for sharks teeth.  We managed to find two sharks teeth, one from a tiger shark and one from a sand shark.  After enjoying the beach for a few hours we headed to our next destination, the Calvert Marine Museum.  Here the kids went on a scavenger hunt to find different things around the museum.  They also got to see otters, rays, and skates.  The day ended with a fun surprise for the kids.  Due to the storm the kids got to spend the night in the dorm at St Mary's and take showers.  After dinner they got to use their phones to call home and let their parents know how much fun they were having.

Friday began with a trip to Saint Mary's historic village where the kids learned about the history of southern Baltimore and what it was like to live in colonial times.  The students also got to see a replica of the Maryland Dove and watch as it fired off it's guns in a salute to the United States of America on this day of independence.  After enjoying a quick lunch the students headed for another beach to learn about the plant and animal life at the beach and help pick up trash on the beach.  

Storm update

Good morning families!
Lisa, Director of Shipboard Education here just wanting to update you on the current weather situation.  Everyone is fine!  The boat is at a secure dock in the Southern Maryland area and didn't get underway yesterday nor will it today.  The students spent yesterday fossil hunting at a state park and then exploring a Maritime Museum.  Since it was supposed to be a very wet, windy and likely stormy night we pulled some strings and arranged for the group to stay in the dorms at a nearby college.

Today they'll likely be inside at the college spending time with our educators and as the weather improves they will move outside to exploring the historical significance of Southern Maryland.  We have two camping options for tonight and will go with the site that seems make the most sense based on tonight's weather forecast.  I just wanted to assure you that everyone is safe and sound!  Enjoy the holiday!!!