Monday, September 26, 2016

FLOW 2016, Week #1, BMS Seguin House

Sunrise Across the Sheepscot River
Photo © Lawrence Kovacs
Seguin House Students from Bath Middle School spent four days out on the water last week during a stretch of glorious, fall weather. The forty students were divided into five groups, and they wasted no time getting geared up and shoving off to Berry Island, Castle Island, Oak Island, and the tip of Chewonki Neck. The group I was with was last to go through "paddle school," so we used the bit of extra time to go for a swim down at the waterfront.
Full Speed Ahead
Photo © Lawrence Kovacs
The first bit of paddling we did took us around Chewonki Neck to a campsite named "Ideal." As fog rolled in across the opposite shore, we learned how to set up our tents and build a fire. The cook crew put together an amazing batch of mac-and-cheese which we ate sitting around the fire.
Sunset Across the Sheepscot River
Photo © Lawrence Kovacs

Our Boats High and Dry at Low Tide
Photo © Lawrence Kovacs


Sunrise from "Ideal"
Photo © Lawrence Kovacs

Sunrise on Berry Island
Photo © Monica Wright
The academic curriculum for this week was a combination of outdoor living skills taught by the Chewonki staff, and an exploration of Wabanaki mythology taught by BMS teachers. Our Chewonki instructor, Johnson, did an amazing job of teaching us about map and compass skills on day #2. The students learned to orient a map, adjust for magnetic declination, and shoot and follow a bearing. After marching into the woods, we took turns following a bearing that took us right back to our campsite.
Drawing the Parts of a Compass
Photo © Lawrence Kovacs
One of the Wabanaki creation myths we read about was that of Wuchowsen, a giant eagle whose flight caused crippling winds and storms all over Earth. The gist of the story is that the flapping of the giant bird's wings caused widespread destruction all around the world, so Glooskap, the giant who created the entire world, tied one of Wuchowsen's wings behind his back and left him at the North Pole. With just one wing, Wuchoswsen's destructive power was limited both in strength and range. As we toured the Chewonki campus on day #4, we visited the aviary where a number of injured birds of prey are cared for. There, we found this thirty-one year old bald eagle with just one functioning wing. Paying homage to the Wabanaki legend, this bird is also named Wuchowsen. 

Wuchowsen
Photo © Lawrence Kovacs
Journaling on the Shore of Berry Island
Photo © Monica Wright
Launching at Low Tide
Photo © Lawrence Kovacs
After days of practice, traveling by canoe became easier and easier. As we explored the local islands and coastlines, the kids could be seen joking and laughing as we glided along. On day #3 we had the opportunity to learn "T Rescues." We intentionally swamped boats one at a time, and rescued them using a technique that empties and rights the canoe. The process takes concerted effort and teamwork. It was great to see the look of pride on the kids' faces as they learned to help each other out of this tricky situation.

T-Rescue
Photo © Monica Wright

Rugged Coastline
Photo © Monica Wright



"J" Stroke
Photo © Monica Wright






Warming Up Around the Fire
Photo © Monica Wright

Down Time
Photo © Monica Wright

Grabbing a Can
Photo © Monica Wright

Lunch Along Upper Hell's Gate
Photo © Monica Wright
I was astonished to hear that Monica Wright's group actually made it back to Bath one day! This tireless crew paddled up  the Sasanoa river and against the current to reach this view of their city.
Hard Earned View of Home
Photo © Monica Wright

Celebratory Dunk
Photo © Monica Wright

The students from Acadia House at BMS head to Chewonki tomorrow morning, and they are excited to get there. Look for an updated blog entry next week.
Joyful Paddling
Photo © Lawrence Kovacs

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