Made it! - Students Outside Rock Sound Airport

We finally made it here! Almost everyone arrived at some point on Tuesday, while a few other people and a lot of luggage came in on Wednesday. We slowly trickled in to campus after a fun flight over on Twin Air’s 8-seater planes and a nice drive from Rock Sound. As we arrived everyone got tours of campus and had a few snacks. Most of us had some time to unpack before our first dinner that night. We gathered up for the first dinner circle where Ben read us a quote from The Rediscovery of North America by Barry Lopez. Then he passed on the role of our first cacique to Miles (on his birthday) who did a great job. Our first delicious dinner was fresh Cobia (from the aquaculture program) and a salad full of fresh greens from the School Farm.

Later that night we gathered around a fire on the boys’ dorm beach to have our first meeting with our advisors. We each were given a fun fact about out advisor and had to search out the advisor that matched the fact. Once we all found our groups we made chains of similarities to get to know each other better. Then it was off to bed so we would be ready to wake up early the next morning for our first morning exercise!

A Teambuilding Slam-Dunk Exercise

The next morning, we all woke up bright and early for a 6:30 circle, followed by a jog around campus and a swim out to the wreck. We snorkeled around and saw some really cool marine life. When we came back we had a brief tour of the main chore assignments so that we would be ready to dive in the next morning. After eating breakfast, we split up and spent the rest of the day doing organizational things. Each of us had a tour of the sustainable systems on campus, a medical interview and got to make a quick phone call home to let our parents know we had arrived safely. Around lunch time, our last five students arrived from Ft. Lauderdale, along with some missing luggage from the night before. After lunch we had a beginning class which discussed where we are in relation to the world. We learned a lot about Eleuthera! Then each advisory group went off on an adventure like snorkeling in the cut or jumping off high rock. We got a chance to get to know our advisories better.

That night we all met to go over the student handbook and the rules governing our community, which have all gone unbroken so far! Afterwards we each completed our first humanities homework assignments to prepare for the Lopez seminars the next day.  Halfway through the evening, there was cake to celebrate Jesse’s birthday. After the long day, we were all ready for bed by lights out at 10:30

We began Thursday with a Govia for morning exercise, which consisted of running to the cut, swimming down it with the current, and then running again. After morning chores and a delicious breakfast of pancakes, we had a seminar on The Rediscovery of America, a short book we had all read before to arriving to the school.

Leah, Jess, Kendra and Jen at Half Sound

After lunch we had our first Medical Training session where we all learned we would soon become certified in Emergency Rescue Response.  That night we had Dorm Meetings where we went over more of the school rules and turned in any DVDs and food we had brought down with us. After that we all took some time to hang out in our dorms and get to know each other.

On Friday, we experienced our first “psycho” exercise full of running, pushups, crunches, lunges, and lots of other fun exercises. Later in the day, we had a Bahamian Geology lesson on the beach in the pouring rain! Although we all got soaked, we agreed it was an interesting and fun experience. After lunch we had our second Medical Training class, and then took our certification test. Thankfully, all 44 students passed and are now certified Emergency Rescue Responders!

Saturday was a great day with a crazy morning exercise. After morning exercise, the school was split apart, we either had a kayak training session covering paddling and rescue skills, or a scuba introduction where we were introduced to all the equipment.  Then we had a long day to mark the end of our orientation period at a beach called Half Sound, where we spent the afternoon throwing the football and snorkeling and then cooked our dinner over a fire. Everyone then came back to campus and passed out. 

Happy People at Half Sound

Sunday was a free day and after waking up at about 6:15 every morning everyone took advantage and slept in until about 9:30 or 11, except for the 15 people who got up and went to church, which must have been interesting.  When asked how it was, they said that they would never forget going.  Those of us on campus got to witness a cereal eating showdown.  Jeremy and Sandy had been talking since the first day that they could eat more cereal than one another, and Sunday morning we were having cereal. So many people woke up to see these two kids eat cereal until they got sick. But this dream was short live due to the non-sugared cereal and the warm boxed UHT milk. After this excitement was over, a rumor began spreading that the marina store was open, and because we don’t get sugar down here and know that the marina carries all kinds of ice cream and candy, a bunch of us must have traveled down there about 6 times to check and see if it was open.  All of the parents should not be worrying about your kids. We have only been here a week and I can see that everyone has bonded very well. Also the teachers are very supportive, and I do not think that anyone will be having trouble with academics or making friends this semester.

Getting our Morning Exercise!

Monday began with the first run to High Rock, where everyone got a chance to face his or her fears and “take the plunge”.  After a bike-run back to campus, we broke into dorm chores, followed by a yummy breakfast of French Toast and oranges.  Then began the first day of classes, with Humanities in the morning, followed by Science for Marlins and Dolphins-in which we got to snorkel the cut, and Math for Wahoos and Tuna.  After our first advisor lunch, we switched Science/Math for the afternoon, and then met to discuss community outreach.  The day was highlighted by a mad dash for the bikes as the marina store was finally opened, where we got ice cream, soda, and other really good snacks.  Food is definitely the talk on campus.  After dinner, we had our first community meeting, where we discussed ideas for this upcoming Friday, and named the pigs (Cletus and Charlotte).  Then we dispersed to begin our studies, and others got a chance to call home.   

On Tuesday morning, North woke to a nice relaxed yoga class, while South faced off East vs. West in an intense game of water polo in the cut.  After much dispute, West was victorious.  That morning we had our first art class and our first history class.  In the afternoon, we all sat down to hear about the Research projects from Andy.  Then we listed our top choices-tomorrow we’ll find out what group we’re in.  A sprint for the bikes ensued because the marina store was open again!  We can never have enough ice cream.  It’s already been a week down in Eleuthera and we’re all starting to get used to life away from home and form a community.  We’re excited for this weekend when we go on our first home stays, next week when we get to SCUBA and kayak, and for the rest of the term down here at The Island School.

Note to Parents: The students are leaving for their 3 day kayak trips this week.  This means that they may not be able to call during their regularly scheduled phone times.  We leave it to the students to arrange for a phone time swap if needed.

SHOUT OUTS! 

Scott: Mom, Dad and John: I love and miss you guys so much.  It’s weird not being home but know that I’m having a great time.  Kristen: Your letter made my week.  Dick: You guys mean everything to me-you made my sophomore year everything it was.  I miss the house so much and can’t wait to see you guys.  Family, Friends, and L’ville: I’m having the time of life down here and want to share it all with you!  Send mail!  (P.S. Melissa says hi!)

Anna: Hey to everyone back home! To all my Falmouth friends- I miss you all SO MUCH!!! I hope school is going well and you are all having a fun semester. Mom, Dad and Sara, I hope all is well. I miss you so much and think of you all the time. (Give Tunner and Ed a kiss for me!) I absolutely love it here, and can already tell I will have the time of my life. Thank you so much for your letters! Love you and miss you all!! See you in June!

Megan: Hi to everyone!! I miss you guys a ton but so far the Island School is an amazing experience. I have pictures of everyone hanging up by my bed (Jess, you and Elena DID get the center spot!) so I see you all every morning. The beach is beautiful and all the people here are awesome. We’re doing loads of pushups so prepare yourselves for my massive guns when I get home (haha) I love you all so much. Write soon!