An Update from Senior Trip

Here's an update from Christin:

Hello from North Haven, Maine! I am writing this from the comfort of the Waterman's Community Center where a crew of students is stuffing envelopes for the Center's biannual mailing while it absolutely pours outside. The other crew is at the North Haven Community School preparing to transfer smelt from a tank where the students raised them to a nearby stream. Christie Hallowell (BMA alum '74) and her husband Barney who is the principal of the school, have been absolutely amazing in welcoming us to their island community, showing us around and setting up service opportunities.

Yesterday morning we attended the island's Memorial Day service, which was a somber occasion honoring all those who served. Then we got a tour of their school, which is an amazing campus with a greenhouse, wood working shop, taxidermy projects, hydroponics, fish tanks, and lots more! The seniors were very impressed!

We spent yesterday afternoon exploring around our campsite. Mariah Zanca gathered seven kayaks from family friends for our use so the seniors explored the Mullen's Head cove by paddle and foot, finding sea life abound: mussels, crabs, sea urchins, sea stars, harbor seals, doll porpoise, osprey, and more. I believe that a few brave souls even bathed in the cold Maine ocean when the sun was shining hot.

We created a cook group rotation so last night Jane, Jocelyn, Murphy and Sten served us a delicious meal of chicken pesto pasta. After dinner everyone roasted apples and marshmallows at a campfire on the beach.

The week is shaping up well in terms of service projects. Our lists includes: fixing up an old lobster trap shop; landscaping around a few community buildings; working with schoolchildren; working at the organic farm; trail building; painting the community center's stage; and more!

The weather was excellent yesterday, but is rainy today. We experienced some good thunderstorms in the middle of the night, but as far as I know only one person got wet (Jenna) and only one rain fly went flying - thus we were all woken up by Ronnie today at 4:50am trying to pound in his, and a girls' tent's stakes better.

This trip is a truly enlightening so far- the seniors are really coming to know what life is like on a Maine coast island - natural and human! Thanks for your support.

Best,
Christin
P.S. I will post a few photos on the BMA Facebook page, so take a look!
P.P.S. I am not sure if I will have a chance to send another update, but I will if I can.