Boys and Girls Clubs in Indian Country

Partnering for Science
Six Native American Clubs are participating in a pilot program for The Immersion Project that includes new curriculum training for Club staff, a summer camp for Club members and a grant for each Club. During the Sea Research Foundation's Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean expedition, some lucky Boys & Girls Club members will be taking part in the expedition from their "campsites", talking to the scientists via the web, asking them questions, and watching them work. They'll play games, read stories and solve puzzles about the expedition, having fun with their fellow campers as they learn.

Upon arrival, the Seafarers met their fellow campers and leaders at a welcome dinner held at the Sheraton Hotel near the airport. For many of the Club members, this was their first airplane ride and first experience away from home, so there were many stories to share. After dinner, the group boarded a bus to Mitchell College in New London, Connecticut. Campers spent the first two nights at Saunders Hall, giving them a sample of life in a college dorm! Although everyone had had a long day, the lure of the beach only 2 blocks away, gave way to an evening beach walk. For many, this was another new experience, so the group had a great time running in the sand and wading in the water. Although they all just met, new friendships formed almost immediately. Finally after some fast-paced basketball, roommates set up their "digs," and settled in after a very long day.

Early on Saturday morning, the group boarded the bus to the Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut. Under the guidance of Kathy Hoy, Education Coordinator at MA, the Clubs were given a general overview and introduced to the Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean Expedition 2003. Advanced satellite technology allowed the group to communicate directly with Dr. Ballard who was on board the research ship, the Knorr. He and his crew are in the midst of their 60-day expedition to the Black Sea. Through this high-tech communication system, the Seafarers were able to see the ship thousands of miles away and Bob Ballard as he welcomed the Boys & Girls Club members to Mystic and answered many questions from the curious campers! The group then received a VIP tour of the Mystic Production headquarters that is busy preparing a film that captures the highlights of the entire Expedition2003. Everyone then had an opportunity to participate in a special tour of the Aquarium and see many exciting animals residing at Mystic. Through a unique "contact" program at the Aquarium, campers were introduced to a surprise guest - a penguin! The Mystic caretaker described many exciting facts about this special animal, which everyone enjoyed learning.

After a full morning and a hearty lunch, Seafarers began preparing for an archaeological excavation, held on Aquarium land. With detailed instructions from Kathy Hoy, campers participated in an actual land excavation. Club members and leaders quickly learned that getting dirty was part of the fun and the experience. They learned how to research and clear a site; "map" the site; dig the site; and document the findings. The Seafarers learned how the land and the findings can you teach you about the culture and history of the people who lived there many years ago. After another "check-in" with Bob Ballard and the Expedition2003, the group headed back to the dorm for showers. After cleaning up, the entourage traveled to Norwich to attend the Norwich Navigators Baseball game at Dodd Stadium. They were treated to pizza and ice cream and a chance to see a great baseball game. Returning to Mitchell College after a very full day, campers enjoyed ice cream at Michaels Dairy, an old-fashioned ice cream parlor and some more basketball. But everyone soon called it a day and headed back to their rooms for rest and re-cooperation!

After cleaning their dorm rooms and packing up belongings Sunday morning, campers returned to Mystic Aquarium. They checked in again with Dr. Ballard and Expedition2003 and had another chance to talk with him and other crew members. They also saw film footage of the super remote operated vehicle Hercules, retrieving ancient artifacts such as amphorae, from the depths of the Black Sea. These amphorae were many thousands of years old but because of the Black Sea's anoxic waters were found in perfect condition. Amphorae were used by ancient shippers as containers for wine, olive oil, and other items. They also revisited the well-preserved remnants of an old sailing vessel. Such findings help Dr. Ballard and others better understand geographical changes and the history and culture of the people who lived in the surrounding areas long ago.

Campers then embarked on an exciting afternoon - they boarded the Argia, a Schooner sailboat that led them on a cruise from the Mystic River to the Long Island Sound. For many this was their first experience on a boat and their first time seeing the ocean! As they watched the bridge open so the boat's tall masts could sail through, excitement and anticipation filled the air! Once in deep waters, the cruise ship's education director introduced the campers to many fun activities and interesting facts about the sea and the animals and plants living there! Club members conducted water testing and cast nets that retrieved fish, lobster, seaweed, shells, and other items from the ocean. They helped hoist the huge sails and under the watchful eye of the captain, steered the boat back to shore. The group had a picnic lunch onboard and enjoyed a sunny sail back to Mystic seaport.

Returning to the Aquarium, campers continued on a full schedule-checking in once again with Bob Ballard and Expedtion2003 and then claiming front row seats at the Sea Lion Show. The Seafarers then pitched in to get ready for the trip to Esker Point for a cookout and beach activities. Many of the campers were swimming in ocean waters for the first time. What fun everyone had using nets to explore the Connecticut shoreline and participate in doing a seine. What's a seine? Club members waded in, dragging a large net through the waters, gradually pulling the net to shore. Then they investigated their findings including critters, crabs, and silver fish! The group feasted on hamburgers and hotdogs and many other good things to eat and then played football on the beach! Weary explorers returned home to prepare for their final night - the sleepover at the Aquarium, setting up sleeping bags under the tanks!

Reenergized, campers and leaders explored the Aquarium they had all to themselves and under Kathy Hoy's direction, touched and held several sea animals. Steve Coan, Executive Director of the Immersion Institute, joined the campers to present them and their leaders with books and hats and words of appreciation and admiration. The group even rallied to celebrate the birthday of camper Clarissa Lawyer from the Lapwai B&GC in Idaho with a special birthday cake and ice cream.

Camp Hercules was an amazing experience for everyone. It was an opportunity to encounter things that many Club members and leaders had never done before. Everyone was grateful for the chance to participate in so many exciting activities and to meet so many new friends. As Maria Ortiz, SMART Moves coordinator at the Hartford B&GC said, "The time spent at Camp Hercules was not only educational and fun, but it had a family ambiance that allowed the members to feel accepted, wanted and comfortable." Danielle Baskerville, Unit Director from the B&GC of Metro Richmond remarked, "The bonds that were formed hopefully will be long-lasting and the experience, too."

Here's a list of Camp Hercules participants - don't forget to visit www.expedition2003.com to learn more about Bob Ballard's adventure to the Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea.

Penobscot B&GC, Indian Island, Maine
Jill Paul (Chaperone)
Gary Fearon
Jacob Paul

Pueblo of Laguna B&GC, New Mexico
Joseph Sanchez (Chaperone)
Antonette Silva (Chaperone)
Jordan Silva
Stacey Leon

Cherokee Youth Center B&GC, North Carolina
Velva Powell (Chaperone)
Tameka Sherrill
Thomas French

B&GC of the Fort Peck Reservation, Wolfpoint, Montana
James Matthews (Chaperone)
John Bauer
Kelsey Knight

B&GC of Bay Mills, Brimley, Michigan
Brandon Kerfoot (Chaperone)
Keith Swendsen
Chelsea Shaw

B&GC of the Lewis Clark Valley, Inc., Lewiston, Idaho
Anna Calkins (Chaperone)
Clarissa Lawyer
Demetrius George

B&GC of Metro Richmond, Virginia
Danielle Baskerville (Chaperone)
Lanita Berry
Anthony Spencer

B&GC of Delaware
Amanda Hocking (Chaperone)
Thailgher Adkins
Lovell Sudler

B&GC of Hartford, Connecticut
Maria Ortiz (Chaperone)
Denise Mitchell
Pedro Guzman

B&GC of Worcester, Massachusetts
Ronald Hadorn (Chaperone)
Antony Orama
Everaliz Cheverez

B&GC of Sarasota, Florida
Wayne Ard (Chaperone)
Cheyenne Emrich
Dennis P. McGinn