Eighth graders from Boothbay Region Elementary School were at the Whale Park on Monday, Sept. 7, hoping to raise money for a field trip next year to the Florida Everglades.

Technology coordinator Judy Dorr said that the pancake breakfast and children's carnival were part of an effort to raise $30,000 to partially cover expenses for bringing 13 students on the expedition next May.

Dorr had last taken students to Florida when she was a fourth grade teacher; she was impressed with the programs that were available, which include a visit to a turtle park, kayaking, a swim with the dolphins and a night walk through the Everglades. The program is now called World Strides, she said.

"They have been studying the ecosystems of the Northeast," said Dorr, who added that the experience would fit in well with their science studies.

In addition to the breakfast the students are raffling off tickets for a cord of firewood donated by a parent. The winning ticket will be drawn on Oct. 20. Students will be also manning concessions at school sports events during the year.

Dorr said she would be holding a parents’ meeting on Sept. 29 in case other students want to sign up for the trip.