Yolande, Tim, Geoff and John smile in class

We completed our first full week of academics. Wednesday we had a late wake up (slept until 7:30am) and went in to Deep Creek to observe a primary school classroom. This provided us with an idea of what school is like for the local children we will be working with during Community Outreach. It felt good to be in town and to see the students in their environment (and in their colorful uniforms). Wednesday afternoon we had a navigational SCUBA dive in the marina and then were instructed to find our Querencia. A Querencia is a self-found place that each student has and visits through out the semester to spend time alone and to reflect in their place books. We learned about the importance of having such a place in The Rediscovery of North America , by Barry Lopez.

Thursday morning we ran out to Palm Island beach for exercise. When we reached Palm Island beach, Nick, one of our Humanities teachers, explained to us that we were walking on the grounds of a historical Lucayan settlement. He also passed around shards of pottery that can still be found there today as remnants of a culture and civilization that once existed on South Eleuthera. The time we spent at Palm Island introduced us to an entire lesson, based on local history, that we had later that day.

Tim, Trygg, Chris, Peter, Geoff and Travis

Friday morning, half of us did campus work projects, while the other half participated in a run swim exercise. The work projects included planting on the farm, designing and painting dining hall chairs, and filling potholes on the main road.Saturday was our first full morning of Research Projects. A lot was covered in the first day; The Coastal group went to Davies Harbour, and the Conch and Patch Reef groups headed out on a boat to explore research sites. That evening we decided to have a bonfire with s’mores and to watch a movie. It was refreshing to have a night off from study hours and felt great to taste chocolate again.

About half of us headed in to Deep Creek for church on Sunday for an 11am service. There was a lot of singing and the hour flew by. Back at school we had a big brunch (with apple juice!) and then had the afternoon free. Most of us headed to the beach for some relaxation in the sun.

A lesson in projectile motion

Monday morning we all headed back out to High Rock and experienced big improvement in our running endurance. We all ran the distance without using bikes and it felt great. When we returned to campus for breakfast, Rebecca had made special Bahamian tea which is said to boost the immune system.  The verdict is still out on its healing power, but it definitely tasted good!

Our Deep Creek home stay experiences are approaching and our first day of Community Outreach is tomorrow. The group is excited to meet the families of Deep Creek and to become more involved with the larger community.

Sunday morning after church in Deep Creek

This web update was written by Annie, Fitz, Connor and Emily. Below are messages from them to their friends and family at home.

Annie- Hi Mom and Dad, I miss you tons! Rob: I can’t look at the hills here but I keep writing. I love you V. DA and Brenda: I miss you guys more than you know… 11 weeks left.

Fitz- Hey Princeton Fitz’s: I love it thanks for showing me the school. Congrats Tracy. Hey friends: Classes finally started so we have to stop chillin’ on the beach but it still beats Friends. See you in December. Oreo-Bark.

Connor- Hey Mom and Dad, Clare and Tessa! Miss you all, but I’m glad I’m here. Dan, Miles and Keller: Stay strong duders! 11 weeks left!

Emily-Hi to Mom, Dad and Julia. Miss you guys. I hope the semester in England started well. Hey to all the Riverdalians. How is Constructing America? Em: Loving the trees. Love you and miss you all.

A group sits next to the Saturday night bonfire	Reed, Ali and Kevin Mattingly in Permaculture

Juliana and Ali stretching	6pm dinner circle	Lindsey and Kylie planting