Island & Sound Exploration

   Well 4-H decided to explore something new this year for our teenagers.  In doing so we partnered with New Hanover, Brunswick, Cumberland, Pender, Duplin, Columbus, Hoke, and Bladen County 4-H programs to offer the Island & Sound Exploration Day Camp.  Hoke, Robeson, and Columbus shared vans and headed to the coast.

  The "Island and Sound Exploration" program is designed to introduce Campers to the coast and its wonders. We met Marine educators when we got out of our vans and they joined us aboard to add insights to our discoveries as our campers took part in an array of hands-on experiences that made learning exciting. After boarding our vessel in Carolina Beach, we traveled through Myrtle Grove Sound and the Intracoastal Waterway before landing on Masonboro Island. This pristine barrier island is where we explored the diverse biology of the beautiful beach, marsh and tidal creeks. Once we landed we started by taking a 15 minute treck across the island to do a little crabbing.  And we saw little fiddler crabs all the way up to larger ones.  

 After we learned about the life on the island and found some snails.  We did our best to create a safe ecosystem for them to come out and see us.  We learned a lot about survival of all types of creatures on the island and enjoyed fishing around for information.

  From there we went down the beach a little and did a little shelling, or should I say learning about shells.  Many of the shells you find are home to creatures so taking them away takes away homes, shelters, and safe havens for creatures.  Shells also have the purpose of helping against beach erosion.  We also learned what types of animals live in different shells and why it is sometimes hard to find that perfect shell.

  After our outdoor lessons it was time to head back to the boat.  We split into tow groups.  One group ate lunch under the shade of the canopy and the other got to dissect a squid.  Part way through the groups changed and those dissecting got to eat lunch and those who had eaten got to check out the squid dissection.  It was all very cool.  After returning we loaded up in vans and headed back.   Our teens said it was a good day and they enjoyed doing something they had never done before.

  Stay tuned...we may just be offering this trip up again next year for our teens.   To see the photos from our day of fun in the sun, please click this link.