2025 Florida Keys: Day 4
Hi all,
We completed another fabulous day in the Keys and closed our visit with locally made ice cream, talent shows, and gratitude circles for the time we spent together. Students received shout-outs from each other for leaning into situations that are out of their normal comfort zone (from "I am NOT going snorkeling" to being the last one out of the water) and being overall community contributors.
We reflected on individual daily highlights, such as feeding tarpons at Robbies Marina, as well as week-long highlights, like exercising responsibilities: setting their own iPhone alarms in the morning, showing up to the bus on time with all the materials necessary for a successful day (sunscreen and water—sunscreen, and water!!!), and keeping track of their materials.
So, tomorrow we return your 7th graders to you a little pinker and more tired than you left them, but definitely more mature and experienced in the marine wonders of South Florida.
Sammi HB
"We walked across the cricketing, rusted dock along the windy, aquamarine marina, where some native Floridian animals swam in the ocean below. First, a beautiful, reserved nurse shark plays hide and seek with us, zig-zagging and ducking underwater each time we say ooh and ahh. Next, a massive, smoky gray manatee grasped and basked in our attention, even flipping over for us as astonished looks were displayed on our faces. The adorable, gentle giant was a disguised ray of sunshine with playful movements showcasing his excitement. More and more silver, shy nurse sharks swirled in the depths of the water, and we snatched our phones out of our pockets and inched closer to the edge, paparazzi for the timid creatures. Calls for long-awaited dinner halted our jaw-drops, and curiosity and hunger wrestled for importance in our minds. Lastly, we slowly sauntered to the bus, recapping the stunning scene of species we encountered, but not without necessary lookbacks."
Luisa F.
"As soon as I pushed off the rocky ground, I knew I had an adventure awaiting me. I brushed the water, as if I was stroking my hair. The struggle with keeping my kayak straight and refraining from getting tangled in the log of the twisted red mangroves and rough arms of the roots was worrying me. As my partner and I started to go to war with the thick waters, I realized the peaceful sound around me was going to vanish. The majestic, marvelous, magnificent mangroves seemed so friendly at first, but as I started to bend, push, and struggle to get released from their hugs, I realized they are not just that. This journey and adventure was a teaching and educating experience. I finally saw the familiar rocky bottom of the water, I leaped from my kayak and pushed it to the ground."
Olivia M.
"As we left the dark polluted water of the marina, the water around us turned into a deep turquoise, shifting smoothly to a split pea green, then a sea glass blue. We were blessed with a day where the waves were calmer than a butterfly flitting from daisy to daisy. We left the island of Key Largo behind and traveled to our Atlantis of the day. We got outer gear, lime flippers, goggles, and a snorkel, and dove into a world unlike anything you would see outside of Finding Nemo. There were coral-colored hues of magentas and the dark colors of the earth, mixed into a swirling spiral of waving hands showing you the way of the current. The fish were all the colors you could imagine under bright sun and more. There were rainbow parrot fish that chewed the coral into sand, and as you swam, they played a sharp gnawing tune. There were striped fish like wild zebras, gray and silver fish with yellow stripes on either side of their sleek, smooth bodies, and my personal favorite, a dark purple fish that hid in caves of corals, but when they did turn their spear-like faces, a flash if iridescent indigo blinded you from the small curve of their fins, reflecting the light like a prism. As we made our way back to the boat after the excursion had ended, the current pushed me towards a barracuda at least two feet long. Others were jumping off the sides of the boat, which was rocking gently on the surface of the glass-looking water. On the way back to land, I sat on the top of the boat where the captain reigned down, as his gaze caught every light that dared flicker across the water. As we pulled into the marina and the engine's sharp roar ceased, I already knew that I needed to do something now and in the future to save this habitat so my kids could go out with me and we could look at fish for days. I think it’s safe to say my heart now belongs to that reef and the Keys."
Lily A.
At Dolphins Plus in Key Largo, we were blessed to get up close and personal with the dolphins. My group had a beautiful slate-gray bottle-nosed dolphin named Samantha. She had a crooked snout from an unknown accident years ago, and is the oldest dolphin there, at 42 years old. She could still do all the fabulous tricks like the younger dolphins, such as waving goodbye, jumping in circles, and, my personal favorite, kisses. Finally, Samantha loved to admire herself through the shiny lid of the fish bucket as a reward for positive behavior in addition to a fish reward.
Sadie G.
Today, we got the lucky opportunity to visit Dolphin Plus, where we were taught about the many attributes of the dolphins, including their grey skin on top that reminds you of the color of graphite from your pencil, which helps them camouflage when seen from up above. Additionally, their beautiful hue of white skin allows them to be camouflaged when seen from below. We got the wonderful chance to glide alongside them as they gracefully swam across the lagoon. The trainers did elegant hand motions, which singled them to perform tricks. And, as they did those tricks, I thought about how they reminded me of light ashy grey arches. People usually associate the color grey with sadness, but after today, I can confidently say that I will think of those dolphins; content and comical!
Sabrina M.
On the last day of activities, we went to the first-ever turtle hospital. The bright teal building is full of care for helping save our endangered sea turtle. These caretakers educate and empower our shell-back creatures. We started with learning facts about the fascinating creatures, followed by exploring and meeting a select few of these coastal creatures. This hospital is devoted to saving the lives of our wounded wanderers. The passion is evident and will leave you feeling just a little bittersweet, but glad these amazing reptiles can receive assistance from the admirable staff and surgeons.
