Boothbay Sea and Science Center kicked off Outside the Windowweek by introducing the differences between Weather and Climate! We learned that weather is short term and climate is long term. Then, we learned about ocean acidification, dissolving some dough in a solution of vinegar and water and seeing the potential effect of an acidic environmenton marine organisms. We made windsocks with the Mizzens (ages 5-8), and they got to take home their creation. On Tuesday, all the Stay’s’ls successfully kayaked and rowed to Oyster Cove to collect water samples. We talked about how the temperature would be higher in a cove versus in Linekin Bay. We also did some cloud watching and learned the differences between stratus, cirrus, and cumulus clouds. The Mizzens made some beautiful solar prints and cloud artwork in the afternoon, as well as learning about the three types of clouds. On Wednesday, we did a tank experiment learning about how the ocean is stratified! We also learned about the Beaufort Scale and played some trivia. We ended our morning by playing biome relay – creating 5 different stations around BSSC’s campus where each camper had to collect one bead per biome. They had to complete different relays, collect water samples, and collaborate to get each of their beads. This activity was wildly successful,engaging the Mizzens in the afternoon. 

Stay’s’ls built their own watersheds using rocks and sand, and then watched them get flooded with materials representingpollution and observed how this would affect all the tributaries and rivers they had created. They also built their own boats using popsicle sticks, aluminum foil, and corks to see if their hull design would float. I am proud to say that every single Stay’s’l built a hull that floated! The heat dome set in on Thursday at Boothbay Sea and Science Center. With morning and afternoon swimming to cool off. On Friday, the heat persisted and the campers remained in good spirits. We went crabbing, learned about atmospheric circulation, and learned about extreme weather like dust storms and heat waves. We had our cookout, where lots of cheeseburgers and hot dogs were consumed before a camp-wide SWIM! Almost allinstructors jumped in, and we left the water feeling very refreshed. We ended our week with creating our own biomes in our nature journals. Overall, a very successful weather and climate week! 

Last week at the Boothbay Sea and Science Center, all of students were able to get on the water in a variety of ways. For the Mizzens (ages 5-8), the wind was good enough to get out on the water for Turnabout sailing, as well as on the Precision 15 sailboats. By weeks end, they got a chance to take out the bigger Sonar sailboats with a float plan that sailed them past Cabbage Island. Even with all the sailing on the docket, many of the Mizzens got to develop their skills in knot tying and rowing. 

For the Stays'ls (ages 9-17), there was a lot of “big boat” sailing because the wind was up for most of the week. Despite all the wind, these sailors were still able to get out in Turnabouts and further develop and practice their knot tying and navigation skills.