2024 Florida Keys & Everglades: Day 3
Good evening Bullis parents and community,
Dolphins were the clear and obvious highlight of the day for our 7th graders. Our groups visited two different dolphin sanctuaries, where we learned about these majestic cetacea, derived from the Greek word for whale, kētos.
Students absorbed information about their relationships and history in helping humans, their anatomical features, and participated in a dolphin training simulation based on reward and motivation. But the best part of the day was actually swimming with the dolphins; they were well-trained hosts who welcomed us to their cove as we hitched rides across the water's surface and stole kisses from the cheeky ones.
We also spent time snorkeling and kayaking, and one lucky group dissected squid in an outdoor classroom at sunset.
Tomorrow holds more interactive opportunities with marine life. And more slices of key lime pie!
From the journalists in their own words:
The wind screamed toward Grace and l as we inched toward the mangroves. The lingering laughter and clear sky are comforting. The lonely fish travel through the tunnels peacefully. The water's greenish tint was not an amazing sight. It's a place you don't ever want to leave. A place you call home. - Alana K. '29
I take a breath, and smell the beautiful, vibrant, and cool ocean, the sand, the salt. I stick my hand out for the dolphin, like I am grabbing for a rope, the dolphin's skin rubbing against me, the smooth but such delicate skin. I lay out similar to Superman, and then I take liftoff. The dolphin gracefully pushes me with his soft, rounded nose. Finally, I look at the dolphin with contentment, and it feels as if he smiles back! Finally, we said our final goodbyes to our new friends! - Adam F. '29
As I descended into the dolphin enclosure, the water was a sharp shock of chill all through my body. We were in awe as the gray, smooth-skinned beast glided past us in the forest-green water. The instructor, with a bucket of fish by her side, told us to reach our hand out as the dolphins swam by to feel them; their skin like rubber. The eye-catching creatures had a collection of tricks, including jumping high into the open air. Droplets of water flew onto our faces as the dolphins cannonballed into the water! - Viet P. '29
We started our day off walking to a boat as large as a cruise. We got gear on, walked off the boat into the crystal blue water, and swam over to the corals, so colorful as the rainbow in Ireland. We then met up with some dolphins and swam with the dolphins while they did tricks for us. We then dissected squids, and then our guides fried up some calamari for us with the dissected squid. It was chewy like rubber. - Simon B. '29 and Sam M. '29
We'll send another update from another action-packed day tomorrow.
Best,
Your 7th grade crew
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