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Kayak 2 before they left on their |
Half of the students were on campus this week focusing on academics, while the rest were out on the water for eight day kayak trips.
Wednesday morning we had an offshore SCUBA dive from sunset beach on a shallow reef. That afternoon we had community outreach; the 3rd graders continued to work on their computer skills, 4th grade learned about octopus and barracuda, and the 6th grade group made a lot of progress on the garden they are planting at the primary school. Janie and Kathy met with us later in the day for an Omeros paper workshop. This was the week we were to finish the epic poem, and finish a draft of our final paper.
Thursday started with a big goodbye to Kayak 2 and then a long run out to the Deep Creek airport and back – 8.5 miles! This is one of our final pushes before the half marathon (which is only 3 weeks away). In the evening everyone watched Baraka, a three hour film that is almost impossible to describe, but incredibly moving. There was a discussion about the movie that lasted late in the night. We were all exhausted by the end of it.
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| John and Ashley at the Conchman finish line |
Friday was an early morning water polo match – Kayak 3 took on Kayak 4. Ashley and John (our dorm parents) left after exercise that morning for Grand Bahama Island to participate in The Conchman – a Bahamian sponsored triathlon. They have been training all semester and we found out the next day they both did really well! Academically, we had presentations in science class and also a math project due. That evening we all went to the beach to watch the sunset. No candy for us this Halloween day. Because of our schedule, it made more sense to really celebrate on Saturday evening.
Saturday morning we asked for a Yoga session because we were all feeling anxious about work and needed the stretches to settle our frame of mind. It was a beautiful morning and we were surprised at breakfast to have fresh bagels that Maxey brought back for us when he came back after a trip to the States. Four students had to grab their bagels to go, along with their number 2 pencils and calculators as they headed down Island to take the SAT. In Humanities we had a big discussion around completing Omeros. The afternoon was spent performing research, and we realized that there is not much time left in the semester for data collection. In the evening we co-hosted an event with the Deep Creek Middle School faculty called The Haunted Cape. Middle school students and their families were invited to the Cape for a haunted ride and for candy, doughnuts, soda, food, piñatas and fun. It was really cool to interact with the Deep Creek Middle School faculty members and to see the children have so much fun.
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| Emily collects data during |
Sunday morning we all gathered around 9am to get down to business with our Omeros papers. The morning was spent meeting with Janie or Kathy and writing! In the afternoon we practiced our Junkanoo dance. There was a night dive that evening led by Sascha, Dennis and Chris Maxey. When we were under the water, a steady downpour of rain started to fall and it sounded really spectacular. The rain also felt good when we came to the surface – it was nice to feel a bit chilly!
Monday our morning exercise was lead by Lindsay Millert and Ella. They ran us all over the Cape and had us doing ab, arm and leg workouts for a full hour. Our Omeros paper and art project were due by the end of the day. Maxey had everyone down to his house at the marina for a banquet to celebrate the completeion of our intense academic week. The Middle School faculty were there and presented us with ice cream sundaes as a thank you for helping them celebrate Halloween with their students. Kayak 1 was back when we returned to campus. It was exciting to reunite – and called for a big hug in the middle of the circle. There were lots of stories to share, but both groups were careful not to tell too much, so that the experience could be just as sacred for the next group. Many members of kayak 1 were overwhelmed to be back on campus and to be apart of the larger group again.
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| Phil, Rob, Dana and Chris at |
Today we had a Sunday schedule for relaxing and also preparing for trips that leave tomorrow. Two groups are leaving for a Down Island Trip in the morning and Kayak 3 heads out for their eight-day! For the first time all semester, no students will be on campus for two whole days!
This web update was written by Austen, Peter and Lindsey Wakeman. Below are messages from them to their friends and family at home
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Camden watches the sun go down |
Austen – Hey everybody in Austin! Hi Mom, Dad, Ryan, Sophie and Andrew. Hope everybody is well (not sick). I look forward to seeing you in a couple weeks. Say hi to everybody off at college and at St. Andrews. Having fun in the warm Bahamas. Love you all.
Peter – Hi Dad, Sarah and Hen: Everything down here is going well and it’s hard to believe there’s only about a month left. Widen, Timmy and Poto: It was good to talk to you guys the other day and you better not loose to St. G’s. I’ll see everyone when I’m back in December.
Lindsey – Hi to everyone back home! To my family (Mom, Dad and Heather) and my buddies (you know who you are): I miss you and love you all so much! I just returned from my 8-day kayak trip and it was absolutely incredible. I have so many stories to tell you guys. Much love. XOXOXO
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| Liz, Mel and Amanda |
Geoff, John, Chris and Ashley |