A kayak group leaves for their 4-day excursion

It is hard to believe that week two is already behind us. Time is flying by at The Island School. On Wednesday, the 21 students on campus for SCUBA training welcomed back Kayak groups 1 and 2 as they returned from their 4-day excursions. We had about 14 hours together as a whole group before the SCUBA/Kayak rotation switch occurred. In that 14 hours we shared stories of what it is like breathing underwater and how it feels to paddle long distances on the ocean’s surface. We were also introduced to the semester research projects. The projects include: Off Shore Aquaculture, Conch, Permaculture, Patch Reef and Coastal. We will be split in groups determined by individual interests.

Thursday morning, September 11 th , we all gathered for our normal 6:30am circle, yet instead of singing the Bahamian National Anthem and flying the Bahamian flag, we sang the United States national anthem and raised the stars and stripes flag to honor lives lost 2 years ago. Kayak groups 3 and 4 launched their boats that morning, while the rest of us participated in a physical workout that included running, calisthenics and an intense abdominal workout lead by Maxey himself. The first day of SCUBA for us proved to be educational. We saw 2 cool looking sharks while out on the boat with our dive masters. One was a 4 ft. black tipped shark and the other a 15-ft. hammerhead shark. Later that afternoon, during free time, the boys went down to the marina to play some hoops at The Island School basketball court.

Kayak 4 before their adventure

Friday was dedicated to SCUBA and working on our Geology assignment. We started the morning with a full hour of Yoga. The postures and stretching felt good and was definitely a nice break from running! Thanks to a surplus of carrots in the kitchen, Sheryl (one of our awesome cooks) prepared us a yummy carrot cake. We gathered on the dining hall deck at 9pm for a study break, and ate the cake while watching the (almost) full moon sparkle on the ocean.

We had a great run to high rock on Saturday morning. Chris Maxey and Ben Freeman showed us their crazy breath-holding skills and burly strength, by picking up boulders from underwater and walking on the sandy bottom with them for 15 yards or so. Later, Christian Henry briefed us on Hurricane Isabel and we learned that campuspreparations were underway in case she hit.

Annie and Maxey before a dive

Sunday morning exercise was water polo. It felt great to be in the water getting a work out and the competition between the 2 teams made it a ton of fun. We had two incredible dives that day where we saw a lot of different fish and corals. By the time we finished our afternoon dive, Kayak groups 3 and 4 were back at the marina having finished their 4-day trip. It was a little bizarre to be a group of 42 students again, but was great to catch up with people. Before dinner we were briefed again about the hurricane and learned that Eleuthera was in the clear and Isabel was headed toward the eastern coast of the US instead. Good luck to all of you at home! We celebrated the end of orientation by heading up to high rock after dinner for a bon fire and our first community meeting. We stayed up there for awhile, celebrated John Fitzpatrick’s birthday with a cake, jumped off high rock for a night snorkel and also listened to a group of Island School musicians who brought their instruments.

Geoff on his skimboard

Monday was a sleep in morning even though some of us were up early finishing assignments. We had a long lunch with our advisors and then all loaded onto Friendly Bob’s yellow school bus for a trip to the beach. We went to a restaurant and beach called, Nor’ Side which is on the Atlantic Side of the island. It was a beautiful, clear afternoon, and the surf was huge. We had a great time playing in the waves, watching some of the boys on their skimboards, and taking in the sun on the deck. The woman who owns the restaurant, Rose, served us plates of conch fritters; which for some of us was our first taste of conch. It was a great day of relaxing.

This morning it was back to exercising as a whole group. We ran to No Name Harbour where we jumped in and swam the length of the harbour and back, and then laced up our shoes and ran back to campus. After chores and breakfast, we were split into our academic groups and began our first full day class. It felt good to be given the academic schedule, and to have introductions to all of our classes. Things started to feel more like school, and believe it or not, we were ready for that.

A Happy 17 th Birthday today to Lindsay Millert!

Tim, Austin and Phil

This web update was written by Chris, Scott, Tim and Juliana. Below are messages from them to their friends and family at home.

Tim- Hey you guuuuuuys… I’m having a wicked awesome time. The teachers here are insanely burly, the kids are a lot of fun and I miss you all! Life in the islands isn’t so bad. Good luck with Hurricane Isabel.

Chris Scott- Hey to everyone – Lex, Racha, Pal, Clarkus, KT,Ian, Leah and the Fieldston Crew! I love you all and miss you age! Love you Mom, Dad and Cam. See you soon!

Juliana- Hola! I hope everything at home is great. How are the ransomites? I miss you all and missing the Pittsburghers. It is gorgeous here (I am not too tan though!). Miss and love my fam.  Write me letters – 6 days ‘till the birthday. Oh Yeah!

Chris, Kate and Liz	Annie, Ali, Cis, Yolande and Chrissie