A Fun Day

Several weeks ago, the Standard VI students were the winners in a poster contest sponsored by Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Their design became the logo for Reef Week. Check out Hol Chan on the internet -- http://www.holchanbelize.org/

Their prize was a day at Hol Chan, and today was the day! The staff planned a great day for the kids. The kids had asked me to go along when they found out I've never been to Hol Chan. Sea-rious, a snorkel/dive company, provided the boat for the kids, their teacher Ms. Joy and me. Hol Chan sent along a smaller boat with their guys. We left this morning around 9:00, all dressed in our tee-shirts which carry the winning design. They took us out to the reef where the kids could snorkel. The guide took them out to the reef in small groups while the rest stayed close to the boat, swimming and playing.

Then we went to Shark Ray Alley which is appropriately named. The nurse sharks and sting rays surrounded the boat as soon as we arrived. The kids loved seeing them, and like the 8th graders they are, they squealed and shrieked at each one they saw. I hope the fish weren't too traumatized!

After everyone had his/her fill of snorkeling, they took us to the far southern tip of the island and pulled the boats up on the beach where we had a cook-out. The Hol Chan staff grilled hot dogs, and we had those with chips and Fanta.

The kids swam, buried a couple of the guys in the sand, splashed and threw "sand balls" at each other. Their sand balls look just like snowballs. They formed them out of the wet sand, and the the "war" began.

We got back around 1:30. It was really a fun day. I loved being with the kids. As we parted company, they all wished me a happy Mother's Day.