show Thursday video
Thursday is the day that group A went on their boat trip while group B had the plankton lab, learned to kayak , and went to Sea World. There is the report on the boat trip.
We were greeted to french toast and bacon for breakfast which was great. After breakfast, Ben discovered the fun of the Sea Camp handy snack. The one of a kind snack for the boat consists of Fruit Loops, eggs, and bacon (lots of bacon) all wrapped neatly together in a plastic kitchen sanitary glove. Yum! Once everyone assembled with their gear, we drove off in the Sea Camp vans with the radio blaring and the suspension hopping to the Mission Bay Marina where we loaded the Sea Watch, the boat that would be our home for the next nine hours. We were all a bit concerned about the trek out to the Cortez Islands after hearing about yesterdays trip. Luckily for us, the seas were in a kinder mood. Only two campers felt the need to feed the fish (perhaps the handy snack wasn't such a good idea Ben) and everyone was able to snorkel and swim in the crystal clear water.
On the trip out we were treated to what one counselor described as the "best boat trip EVER! It was EPIC!" On the way out, we frist saw rizzo dolphins, then a pod of about a dozen bottle nose dolphins came to play in our wake. I have never seen wild bottle nose dolphins on this trip before and little did I know that we would soon be treated to animals and behaviors that are even more rare. A little while after our first dolphin encounter (sorry Sea World about stealing your trademarked title) we were engulfed by a pod of 40 common dolphins who jumped, skipped, and surfed in our bow wake. While all this was happening we saw whale spouts off in the distance. After the kids had enough of playing with flipper, the captain charted a course towards the spouts while the Professor and Mary Anne took notes. When we reached the blue (and a pair of minke) whales, we saw the most extraordinary behavior, the pair of blues porpoising. Phil, the owner of Sea Camp, said that in all his years at Sea Camp he has only seen this behavior once before. This behavior only occurs during mating (the irony of writing this with the hotel lobby speakers playing "Lets Get in On" is overwhelming), and were voyeurs for about half an hour. The power of these animals was striking as they jettisoned themselves out of the water. After what the whales must of thought was forever, we turned back towards the Cortez Islands and got to see a pod of sea lions go fishing, which is far more fun then watching people go fishing, do you have a queen?
Once we arrived at the islands, we were treated to crystal clear conditions and fun invertibrites that the staff happily pried from the sea floor for the kids to see and hold. We snorkeled for an hour or so looking at bat sea stars, ocher sea stars and these slimy, mucusy things called sea hairs (still don't know why I grabbed it off the bottom) yuck! There were tons of other stuff to see that I really don't know their names, so I will end it with it was really cool.
After snorkeling there was a vicious game of king of the raft which Ramon, Sela, and Delainey showed amazing talent. Unfortunately, they were still no match for the counselors Jedd, Phil, and occasionally me. Once the games where finished we headed back to Mission Bay. Most of us slept for parts of the trip back. We arrived back at camp later than usual and were given a spaghetti "dinner that couldn't be beat, went to sleep and didn't get up until the next morning, when we got a phone call from officer Obie." Oops, that's a different story. Back to what is really happening. Right now as I awkwardly type these letters to you, the campers are out on Fiesta Island finishing their Sea Camp adventure with the bond fire, where the play games, roast marshmallows and tell spooking sea stories.
show Wednesday video
Well, the Tsunami hit San Diego about 9 pm on Tuesday, only a few feet tall, so no problems.
Today we celebrated another birthday, Ysidro's!.
For breakfast they again had their choice of dry cereal, lots of types of fruit, scrambled eggs with ham, cinnamon rolls with icing, and fried potatoes. We ate an hour earlier today (7 am PST) because today was a boat day.
Group B loaded up their gear for the boat trip last night, so after breakfast we got in the vans and drove to Mission Bay. Once there we carried all the equipment and coolers on to the Sea Watch, a large boat that takes people out deep sea fishing when it is not taking Sea Camp people to snorkel. Sea Camp has several large coolers which is where we put our day packs and dry clothes to keep them dry. Before setting sail, they showed us how to put on life jackets - Claire was our model, and told us where to find them if needed. Since the boat is regularly inspected by the Coast Guard for safety, we did not have to wear the life jackets during the trip.
We left the harbor, looking at all the birds on and sea lions in the harbor. As we approached the ocean we started experiencing the large swells that we got to ride all day. Most were between 4 to 6 feet, but every so often an 8 foot swell would come by. As we left the harbor, all the students were up in the bow (front) of the boat. Several of the girls screamed with each swell - like they were on a roller coaster ride. Several students also got wet from the spray.
We headed west for some distance and then turned south toward the Coranados Islands. After a while, only a handfull of students were left in the front. At least one had already become seasick, several others took advantage of laying down in the back of the boat. The few who were up front soon spotted a dolphin pod. The captain steered the boat in the direction of the dolphins, and the dolphins started swimming toward the boat. There were probably about 40 in the pod, several would take turns swimming in the wake at the bow. Others were swimming on either side of the boat. After 20 minutes or so of the boat and dolphins playing together, the captain turned the boat back toward the islands.
Soon all but Sarah O had left the bow and were resting in the back. At least two students were now sea sick and laying down, and soon a third made the mistake of going into the head, where he lost his breakfast. (The heads / bathrooms are the worse place to go when feeling sea sick). We continued on our course toward the islands when the captain started steering the boat further west. Sarah and Mrs. Du Houx could see whales "blowing" off in the distance, and there were many birds gathered in that direction too. As we got closer, the captain announced over the PA system that there were whales in front of us. The whales, birds and a few dolphins were eating krill in an enormous krill ball floating in the ocean. As we got closer, one of the blue whales rolled over on its side and lifted its fin out of the water as if to wave hello. The captain kept the boat in this area for some time and we watched the two whales repeatedly come to the surface to take a breathe. The water was crystal clear and blue. You could tell when a whale was coming toward the surface because the water above it would become a beautiful clear blue. One of the whales was bigger than the other, so it may have been a mother and an almost grown baby. After about two minutes, one of the whales showed us both flukes of its tail, as if to say goodbye.
We turned back toward the islands watching. Sea Camp served us lunch, the usual choices of sandwiches, chips, fruit and cookies. As we got closer to the islands the excitement was growing. The water was crystal clear, a beautiful blue. This type of clarity does not happen very often in this part of the world. The captain anchored the Sea Watch at what they called the Three finger location. There were a few sea lions playing in the water when they got there.
Unfortunately, by this time many of the students were looking rather green from the swales. All but two put on their wet suits, hoods, fins and snorkel masks. They jumped off the boat into the water in four groups. Each group had a Sea Camp staff member as a guide. They swam around the edge of the island seeing many cool things like very large sea hares, an octupus, some seals, many types of fish and more. Shortly after being in the water, Whitney brought another green student back to the boat. She got on board and promptly laid down like the other two who were not feeling well. Everyone else stayed out for a great time snorkeling, although several looked pretty green by the time they climbed back on the boat. Only about 10 of the 20 students in Group B were feeling well enough to jump back in and play king of the raft. The others all got out of their wet suits and into dry close and laid down, many also lost their lunch.
At first Curtis dominated the raft, not letting Jack, Emily B, or Bella on. The next time I looked the Sea Camp staff member Tommy was keeping all the Slavens kids off the raft. Soon the kids had a plan and Tommy was the one in the water. A few minutes later it was just Tommy and Joe on the raft, and it was not going well for Joe. Then it was time to pull the raft in and set sail back for San Diego. Sea Camp served all the the students hot chicken noodle soup that was much appreciated. By this time about 10 students had lost their lunch (or breakfast) and some of the Sea Camp staff were not feeling too well either.
On the trip back, most of the students slept, which was good because the wind picked up and instead of nice rolling swells, there were now choppy waves on top. Sara O, Curtis, and Ysidro stayed awake the longest. The rest of the boat looked like skid row with students sleeping in any available dry, or almost dry place, often with their towels pulled over their heads. As we got back to San Diego, they started to wake up and almost all of them had recovered and were coming back to life.
After unloading the boat, we headed back to Sea Camp. They washed out the wet suits and then took showers before Group A arrived from Sea World.
Group A's day was very different. The did a lab on Plankton in the morning and then learned how to Sea Kayak in the bay around where they were staying. They then headed for Sea World. They ate the normal Sea Camp lunch and had a scavenger hunt to complete while at Sea World. They looked at the many animal exhibits. Natalie, Chase and Mr. Framke got to feed the dolphins. Ramon ate 4 of the 3 foot long tubes filled with sugar, although I suspect he had help from his friends. Gina and others did a lot of shopping for gifts for family and friends. Many rode the rides in addition to looking at the animals. A good day was had by all.
For supper, we had tortillas, beef fajita meat, refried beans, rice, salad and cheese enchiladas. As a special dessert treat in honor of Ysidro's birth students chose between choros, chocolate mouse served in tall glasses and cream de boule (not sure of the spelling). Tomorrow Group A goes on the boat, so they had to put their gear bags together for their trip. Then it was some more free time. When the teachers left for the evening, all the students were very wound up, between all the sugar at Sea World, the long naps on the boat and all the sugar for supper. After they played for awhile to work off the sugar, they will do a Night Adaptations lab followed by some quiet time for journaling before going to bed.
show Tuesday video
The day started with breakfast at about 8 am. Students got to choose from dry cereal, a variety of fruit, cinnamon twist pastries, pancakes with syrup, scrambled eggs and sausage.
After breakfast, Group B headed for Mission Point to learn to snorkel. Group A stayed at Sea Camp to do the Fish lab.
At Mission Point, students played some games and then learned about how to use a snorkel, wear a hood and vest over their wet suit and how to use fins. They were broken up into four groups to actually do the snorkeling. They got to see many small fish and a large variety of invertebrates. Some even got to taste a keyhole limpid (which is supposed to taste like sweet potatoe). After snorkeling, they took off the vest/hood and fins. Back to the water for navy seal training which involved rolling down the sand in their wet suits, into the water. Then there was much splashing and playing and playing around. Once they were warmed up, they then learned how to use a sein net and collect the small fish and invertebrates that were in the water. Two students held on to the sein while the rest formed a line that moved toward the net, herding any animals into the net. They put their catch in a bucket so they could examine them up close a personal. After looking at them, they released their catch.
Group B was returning to the grassy part of the park from their seining adventure just as Group A arrived to join them for lunch. Lunch consisted of a choice of many types of sandwiches, chips, cookies and apples. After lunch the whole class played a ball game where you had to hit someone with one of the four balls in play to get them out. If you were out, you got to get back in when the person who got you out got out. Mr. Framke promised some students homework passes if they would get the person out who had gotten him out so that he could rejoin the game. All had a great time.
Group B then loaded up in the vans to go back to Sea Camp. Group A stayed to do the snorkeling and seining.
Group B had some free time to get caught up with their Sea Camp journaling. They then partipated in the Invertebrate lab where they got to explore a variety of critters such as anemone, mollusk, sea stars, sea urchins, an octupus, sea hares and more. The end of this lesson involved each table group dissecting a market squid (the kind that are used to make calamari). The last part of the dissection was opening the ink sac and using the pen they had removed from the squid to draw squid tatoos and mustaches on themselves with the squid ink.
After the lab, the van came back from Mission Point. Time to wash up the wet suits. Then free times for games, calling home, exploring the touch tank and turle tank, buying hoodies and other things at the Sea Camp store, taking showers and 11 students ran with Mr. Framke for their cross country practice (3 had run with him on Monday).
For supper, students had a choice between pepperoni or cheese pizza and salad. There were also some apples and other fruits available too. We all sang happy birthday to Kimberely who got the first piece of the chocolate birthday cake with chocolate icing.
After supper there was a little more free time and then a class on marine mammals.
So, some of the highlights of the labs were eating the hag fish slime (only Curtis did so in Group B, 10 students did so in Group A). Ysidro eating a fish heart (no one in Group A was willing to do so). Seeing an eel in the rocks and many other cool animals while snorkeling and having a great time learning in the sunny California.
Tomorrow (Wednesday), Group B will be going on the boat to the Coranado Islands. Group A will study plankton, learn to sea kayak and go to Sea World.
show Monday video
Well, as you all know, we all met bright and early at 5 this morning. After checking in, we headed through security, took the train and headed for our gate C32. The whole process took about an hour, we arrived at the gate at about 6 am. Mr. Framke collected students cell phones and handed out the algebra sheet which is due before we land back in Denver. The students then had about 30 minutes to use the rest room, fill water bottles and buy junk food and drinks. At 6:30, Southwest started loading the plane. They do not have assigned seats, so the Slavens students filled the back third of the plane, everyone getting to sit next to their friends. Mr. Framke and Mrs. Du Houx sat in front of the students. They were all well behaved, with no problems or concerns on the flight. Mr. Framke did play poker with Brian and Dillon who were also seated up front, and won all of the cookies that the flight attendant had given the two boys. Those on the left side of the plane got to see Monument Valley, those on the right, Lake Powell and the Grand Canyon. When we got close to San Diego, all the valleys were filled with clouds. Mr. Framke then bet the two boys and Sarah Orr on when the planes rear wheels would land. The students took the odd minutes, Mr. Framke the even minutes. Mr. Framke lost by 4 seconds, so he had to give up some of his snacks.
In the San Diego airport, we headed for baggage claim. Mr. Framke lead the way, Mrs. Du Houx brought up the rear, and the students moved like a very long snake through the airport, moving around obstacles and passengers until we got to baggage. Nate from Sea Camp met us in the baggage area. After we had all claimed our bags (they all came on time - no lost bags!!) he lead us outside. We put our bags all in one big pile on the curb when the 14 passenger Sea Camp vans pulled up. Sea Camp staff loaded the luggage in the storage van and cart while the Slavens folk piled into the vans. Next stop, Sea Camp (on Fiesta Island, about 15 minutes from the airport) and breakfast.
Breakfast consisted of several choices of dry cereal, coffee cake with cherries, an assortment of fruit, shredded beef, tortillas, scrambled eggs, and fried potatoes. Food is served buffet style. Students are encouraged to take a smaller amount initially and come back for seconds if they are still hungry. All food wasted is collected and measured (by weight) at the end of each meal with the goal being to have zero food waste.
After breakfast, students put their luggage in their dorms. They then got in groups for a scavenger hunt to find all the facilities and note the rules for their home away from home for the week. They were then given a formal orientation and told what they were to pack in their day packs for the day. The were divided into Group A and B, based on the lists that we had sent them. We all piled back into the vans and headed for La Jolla Shores.
Group A went to the beach first. They had their first experience with putting on wet suits and learned how to boogie board. Group B went to the Birch Aquarium where they worked in groups of 3 to 4 to complete a scavenger hunt and takes some notes about the aquarium in their Sea Camp journals.
At lunch time (California time) we all met in the park at La Jolla shores and had lunch together. Lunch consisted of a choice of sandwhich (turkey, chicken, tuna fish, and two or three others including veggie options) chips and a cookie. After lunch, Group A did a beach walk and then went to the Birch Aquarium. During their beach walk, they explored the critters that live on the giant kelp plants that were washing up on shore. Delainey and others enjoyed watching baby brittle stars walk across their hand as they tried to get back in the water.
Group B put on the wet suits and learned to Boogie board. The waves were not very big, so they put the boards on the beach and body surfed for awhile, they started playing around with the large masses of kelp and general getting each other wet. All had a grand time, both groups learned how cold the ocean water is when someone unzips the back of their wet suit.
At about 5 PST, we headed back to Sea Camp. Students helped wash the wet suits and then had free time for showers, exploring the touch tank, playing games, working on their journals and calling home. After free time, we ate dinner. We had a variety of veggies and salad, BBQ chicken and ribs, scalloped potatoes, baked beans, rolls and lemonade. For dessert they had very good brownies. After dinner there was a little more free time to play some games. There were basket balls, soccer balls, and footballs all being thrown at the basketball hoop.
In the evening Group A did the invertebrate lab, Group B the fish lab. They were to be given about 30 minutes of quiet time after the lab during which they could write their journal entries for the day, then off to bed.
The weather is beautiful, most of the students are glowing with happiness, although there are several that also looked very tired.