posted Jul 11, 2010 10:30 PM by Karen Kerr
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updated Jul 11, 2010 11:24 PM
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One! Two! Paddle that canoe! And paddle we did, around hair-pin turns, over two tiny waterfalls, around numerous cypress knees and under several low hanging branches. The kids from Troy Academy handled their canoes like pros as they sallied down the Loxahatchee, even though it was a first time experience for most of them.
After a picnic lunch and a swim in the river, they were ready for the trip back upstream. We saw many beautiful birds, several turtles and an alligator. After enjoying some ice cold watermelon on the bank of the Loxahatchee, all decided they would do it again.
Trip leader: Mark
Thanks to our volunteers Claudia, Juli, Easen, Clio, Andi and Karen
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posted Jun 14, 2010 12:38 PM by Karen Kerr
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updated Jun 14, 2010 1:01 PM
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Twelve young people from Hosanna Community Church and four volunteers braved the heat to bike the 15-mile loop road in the Everglades. Many birds and butterflies were spotted, but the most of the reptiles had the sense to lay low in the cool mud and water. Everyone enjoyed climbing to the top of the tower and peering down on lounging gators.
During closing circle Mark gave us a short talk on how an ecosystem works and invited all to tell the most favorite and least favorite parts of the trip. Most agreed that being outside was great, the biking was fun and the gators were interesting to watch. Least favorite part besides the heat? MARK FORGOT THE MAYO!!
Thanks to our two volunteers, Anna and Jessica and
Rev. Dinkins for helping making this trip a success. 
Leader: Mark. Assistant: Karen
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posted Jun 14, 2010 10:51 AM by Karen Kerr
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updated Jun 14, 2010 11:33 AM
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Six children from The Family Education Center enjoyed exploring the trails through the mangroves, watching the feeding at the marine life tanks and learning about the wildlife at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. They liked the shark feeding the most; they suck really, really loud when they eat! We also visited the turtle rehab area and the butterfly garden. Across the street, at Red Reef Park, we had a picnic than snorkeled around the rocks.
This was the first snorkeling adventure for some of the children but they got the hang of it quickly. There was much nervous excitement when the resident baracuda was spotted! Most favorite parts? The sharks and the baracuda. Least favorites? The heat and baracuda. The big question when we got home? When can we go again????? |
posted Apr 19, 2010 10:11 PM by Karen Kerr
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updated Apr 23, 2010 10:11 PM
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Assistant: Mark Walters
Seven children from Hosanna Community Foundation and two stalwart ICO leaders arrived at the park on Friday night. We set up camp, had dinner, cleaned up and checked out our surroundings. After securing our cooler and food box we retired for the night, just before the rain and wind began.
By daybreak the rain had stopped, but something more sinister had occured during the night. Raccoons had cleverly pushed the food box off the bench, opened it, and enjoyed an early morning breakfast of bagels and muffins. They tried the chocolate chip cookies, but rejected them. If it were not for Mark's bravery, they would have made off with lunch and dinner as well! After our breakfast, artfully prepared by the girls, we went to Crandon Park to participate in Baynanza (coastline clean-up), and picked up trash along the beach. By noon we
were ready for a swim, then lunch back at the campsite. Later in the afternoon we enjoyed two hikes in the park. By evening, everyone was ready for the delicious spaghetti dinner the boys prepared. After cleaning up, we took a stroll on the beach then sat around the campfire making s’mores which Karen graded based on their goo factor. Mark recorded the evening concert provided by our enthusiastic, marshmallow-filled kids.
Sunday morning brought more rain, but, undaunted, we set out for a tour of the lighthouse. Unfortunately, we were too early for the tour, so we stopped at the nearby cafe for a bite to eat. (I know, that was a wimp-out, but It WAS raining, and the no-see-ums were just waking up back at the site!) During the tour the park ranger told stories of pillaging, burning and shooting, to the delight of our young boys, then led us to the lighthouse door where he announced that Karen would have to lead the children to the top. Needless to say, this was not in Karen's plan. Since she is a "do or die" type of person, she did (and nearly died). However, as the group reached the top, some
of them began to shriek when they looked out the window and bolted for the stairs. All agreed, however, that the lighthouse was the "high"light of the trip.
We returned to the site to break camp and head to Crandon Park for lunch and Earthfest, but, just as we loaded the last soggy tent into Mark's truck, the sky opened up and serious rain began to fall. We headed back to civilization a little early and a little damp.
Voted least favorite thing? No-see-ums! We could certainly feel-um! Most favorite? Making french toast, going up the lighthouse, making s'mores and getting an "A" on them. |
posted Mar 3, 2010 6:24 PM by Karen Kerr
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updated Mar 6, 2010 11:39 AM
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Agency Volunteers: Carmen Nunez, Teresa Pressey
Six children from The Family Education Center braved high winds, low temperatures and a little rain while they camped at beautiful Virginia Key. After setting up camp they traveled to Biscayne Nature Center for the Seagrass Adventure. Jackson, our youngest camper, was proud of the large starfish he found. All enjoyed looking at, and learning about, all the critters they caught, then watched them swim away after we returned them to the sea.
Back at the campsite we started our fire for dinner while dodging raindrops. By the
time we were ready to cook, however, the rain stopped and a beautiful rainbow formed in the sky. After scarey stories and s'mores around the campfire, chilly wind coaxed the kids into their tents and sleeping bags. Sunday morning started out cold, but after our french toast and sausage we put on our hiking shoes and explored the park. All agreed that the highlight of the hike was the discovery of soft, slippery clay on the shoreline. Clay was rubbed on hands, squished through fingers and even found its way to Jackson's ear! After lunch the children couldn't resist a dip in the ocean before we headed home.
Most favorite parts: "The stuff in the sea grass" Marshmallows" "The rainbow" "Everything!" Least favorite parts: "The wind that moved my tent at night"
"The cold" "The rain blowing"
For more information on Virginia Key Beach Park:
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