2025 Florida Keys: Day 3


Hi all,

During our short stay in the Keys, our students have repeatedly practiced being mindful explorers; Bus 1 kayaked the mangroves and snorkeled the coral cay archipelago, while Bus 2 exemplified being caring global citizens by adopting sea turtles at The Sea Turtles Hospital and asking engaging questions about rehabilitation efforts.

Today's pristine weather provided ample opportunities for bonding at Sombrero Beach and floating atop a reef.

Please read below for the daily highlights, which are straight from our travel journalists.

Benji S.

"We kicked off the day early in the morning by kayaking. We explored the mangroves with a partner and practiced valuable teamwork skills. My favorite part of the day was snorkeling. Today, our bus went out into the ocean to explore the reefs and beauty of the sea. I saw many colorful and unique animals, including a giant blue fish with sharp teeth. Today was an amazing action-packed day, and I'm so excited to see what's to come tomorrow."

Akhil K. & Justin J.

"On day three, we started off with a delicious breakfast of golden-tilted scrambled eggs and golden boron pancakes. There was also nice crispy bacon and refreshing lemonade. Then we headed out the bus for a day full of adventures. Kayaking became the first event of the day. We started by getting life jackets and learned about how to paddle in the water. After learning how to paddle, we chose a group of two and boarded a two-person kayak. There were two positions to fill on the kayak: the captain and the motor. The captain goes behind the motor and directs which direction they're taking while the motor keeps moving forward and concentrates on what's in front of them. We kayaked through a maze of mangroves. We found a small shallow area of the river, and then we got out of our kayaks and swam around for a bit. After taking a break we walked a few steps and went on a boat to go snorkeling above a reef. While snorkeling, we saw some beautiful fish, including loads of parrot fish and a few lobsters. The colors of the fish were so vibrant it was like looking at a rainbow. Then, we all took off our gear and jumped off the boat. We headed back to the dock with the view of a blue-tiful ocean. Then we took a small break and headed to a restaurant for dinner."

Salma G.

"Tonight, we went to a touch tank and dissected a squid to touch all of the creatures from slimy to spiky. There was a "touch tank" where we could touch live specimens like hermit crabs and starfish (or sea stars). We also dissected squids, and some people were able to swallow the small pebble-like eye lens of the squid for allegedly 7 years of good luck. Near the end of these activities, we got a salty surprise from the squid we had just dissected, and it was made into calamari! Overall, these activities were very educational and fun!"

Mari W.

"On day three, we went snorkeling in a gorgeous reef in the ocean. The reef was filled with beautiful coral and energetic fish swimming around us. It was an amazing experience, as we were able to see different types of fish with vibrant colors and unusual patterns and learn new creatures I never thought I'd need to know. The ocean shimmered as the sun glowed down on us. We were able to jump in and enjoy a couple of minutes of free-swim before heading back to the show. Of course, we were equipped with life vests and equipment, which made us feel safe even though we were in the deep ocean—facing our fears and creating long-lasting memories. Overall, it was an amazing experience and made the day an adventure we'll never forget!"








Location: Florida Keys, Florida, USA

Popular posts from this blog

2025 Costa Rica: Day 1

Image
Greetings from Costa Rica! It has been quite a day for our 8th grade students! They started with early morning flights, and ended the night working with our phenomenal Global Works Leaders to create community agreements on how to be inclusive, communicate effectively, and make the most of their time here in Costa Rica. The trip is off to a great start, and students are enjoying themselves as they settle into La Fortuna. Here are two first-hand perspectives from our young world travelers about their day and experiences in Costa Rica. Sienna S. reflects: "Today has definitely been a journey! The turbulence on the flight was a bit rocky at times, but we still made it through and I am excited to be here. We stopped at a roadside restaurant for lunch. Even though it was only chicken, rice, and beans, the food was delicious and very flavorful. Seeing all of the oxen and wildlife made me realize that we are definitely in a foreign environment, and I am very excited to see more....
Read more

2025 Florida Keys: Day 1

Image
Hello! We've arrived safely in Key Largo after a looooong day of travel and adventure in the Everglades. Students viewed the wildlife from airboats, on foot, tram, and even by flashlight during an evening walk to spot nighttime predators in hunting action. It was Gator Nation down here in the Sunshine State! Please read below as some students describe their experiences in their own words: Ava N. Our first day in Florida consisted of many activities, including taking a tram tour through the Everglades National Park. Although the sun beat down on our backs, it was incredible to see the crocodiles, birds, and alligators! When we passed by a crocodile so close it could've snapped an arm or leg off, everybody took memorable photos. The fabulous fish in the crystal clear water swam with passion. As we walked up the tower, it felt as though we were on top of the world. Today was only day one, but we are already excited about the upcoming activities on our trip. Mariah R. Wal...
Read more

2024 Costa Rica: Day 6

Image
Good afternoon from the San Jose airport,  The time has come to say goodbye to Costa Rica. Students are checked in and ready to board their flight. At our group debrief this morning with Dr. Moreno, there were many different emotions - sadness, joy, nostalgia, and excitement at the thought of reuniting with families. Students also shared their highlights with the group - zip lining, white water rafting, meeting students from the Zeta Trece school, and the hot springs at Hacienda Orosi. Eden S. '28 shares her favorite moments from the trip:  My three highlights of this trip are: the beach. It was so much fun, and I played volleyball with my friends. I also loved zip lining with my classmates, and seeing the mountains. We also had a karaoke party on the girls bus singing Party in the USA. I loved the trip so much! Yolanda J. '28 reflects on the highlights of the trip: The hot springs were my favorite part of the trip because they were really calming. Since we had done...
Read more