Tommie's Catalina Tale

Hey everybody,

The 8^th graders took a plane, bus, and boat to get to Catalina. The first thing we did was get in to wet suits and go snorkeling (that was really fun). On Thursday we got to kayak to a rock that we got to snorkel around. After lunch we all went to the ropes course and I went on the zip line. Then at night we got to listen to stories about the stars. After, we all went to are cabins and went to sleep.

~ Thomasina

Good Morning from Trey and Gabe!

Hi Everybody!

After the plane and boat ride to Catalina, we immediately started snorkeling, which we would have to do three more days of the trip, in very tight and sandy wetsuits. In the water, we saw all types of organisms. That night, we had a campfire, (Without s’mores L) and we learned a bunch about the native people of this island. On the island, we went on a climbing wall, did a team building project, went on a ropes course, kayaked, hiked, and looked at the stars. Each of the activities were very fun, and made us enjoy the outdoors. I made a lot of connections with friends. Today, we will go to the garden, and then make our way back to SF.

See you then!

~ Trey

Hi people who didn’t come to Catalina!

Throughout the week, the class snorkeled, rock climbed, hiked, kayaked, we climbed on the ropes course, sang campfire songs, and looked at the stars. Although the water activities were cold, we enjoyed them because we got to see new creatures and explore different places on the island. The rock wall and ropes course, were mostly comprised of team building activities, but gave us a thrilling experience and a little scare. On the last few days, we went on a day hike and a night hike, and by the end of the first days filled with water activities, we all craved for something to do on the surface of the island. At the end of our every last day, we sat on the meadow in the back of the mess hall and watched the sun set. We were sat there until bed time, when we all went quietly to sleep.

~ Gabe

Savana tells her story!

Dear anyone reading this,

It all started when and I woke up at 2AM in the morning. Of course it was way too early and we were still tired and decided to sleep a bit more. We ended up waking up at 3:40AM by mistake but managed to get ready and arrive to the airport on time. When we first got to the airport we had to check in our bags and waited for everyone to arrive. About a hour or so later we went through security and boarded the plane. This was going to be my first time on a plane and I was really nervous. When the plane began to move I was really excited but then it ended up taking awhile before it actually took off. When the plane started to speed up and was getting to lift off I got to witness it all due to my window seat. We flew into the clouds and it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. The sunrise was beautiful and the clouds looked so cool. When the plane took off everyone cheered for me cause it was my first time. Finally, when the plane was beginning to land I got to watch over LA and it was really pretty. We then got off the plane and grabbed our bags and waited for the bus. After the long bus ride we ate lunch then boarded the Catalina Island Ferry. Every since I have been at the island I got to do amazing things such as snorkel for the first time. It was pretty scary at first and I had to use a floaty board but after snorkeling for awhile, I became use to floating in my suit. I also got to hike both day and night. I learned where a few planets were and learned how foxes and deer use their ears. We also kayaked and it was pretty challenging but after a few minutes I got used to it. Today I got to participate in the ropes course and I did all 3 challenges. I was pretty scared at first but I felt well supported by my friends and that helped me. It is almost our last day on the island and I’m sad to say we will be leaving tomorrow but I really enjoyed my time here J

~ Savana the Banana

Heading to the High Ropes Course

Today we went on a kayaking, snorkeling adventure. First we suited up into our wet suits. The suits are two main pieces, the bottoms which are pants and the top which is a jacket. We put on the pants which are extremely tight and hard to put on. We then made wetsuit babies. They are made up of our fins, goggles with the snorkel, hood, and finally the wetsuit top. We put them all together to form our wetsuit baby. We then went down to the beach and got into your kayaks. I went in a single because I’m much more comfortable in them and they are a lot lighter so you can go faster. The whole class got into kayaks and went to Emerald Bay. We all beached our kayaks with help of our consoler Turtle, his real name is Alex. We then got into our snorkeling gear and started swimming out to Indian Rock. The water was much different then the C.E.L.P cove. Their where many different animals to. Their where giant bat rays all over the sandy bottom. We saw some Garibaldi fish, schools of all colors of fish, and sand dollars that looked like ocean Oreos. The island is shaped like a man laying on his back, with a big chest, and has one small leg.

~ Kiley

I don’t know what time it was. It must have been really early in the morning. I caught a cold the first night we arrived at Catalina Island, and I couldn’t quite fall asleep on the second night. I went outside to get some fresh air and I sat on the stairs of our cabin. I was sitting there, enjoying the night breeze, for a few minutes before I realized I saw the outline of the deer, standing in the middle of the camp. I was a little surprised and smiled to myself. I looked around to see that there was more than just the two deer. I saw the dark outline of a big, bulky animal. I stopped smiling once I realized it was a big bison just a few meters from me. I watched it for a few minutes as it moved his head, turning while slightly shuffling its feet. I stood up and walked in the cabin and got in my bed, trying not to wake anyone up. I waited to tell everyone and finally fell asleep for an hour or two before waking up again before everyone else. By the way, I love you mom and dad.

~ Christian

If you look out to the ocean from the beach it could almost be Hawaii, but then you look up and see the dark clouds that have been hovering over the island for the past three days. There is still not a drop on the ground. The wetsuits were cold, because we used them for four days in a row. They are hard to put on, but even worse to take off. Todd is getting a more noticeable beard everyday. It’s starting to creep me out.

~ Sam™

Emerald Bay

Today we went on a kayaking, snorkeling adventure. First we suited up into our wet suits. The suits are two main pieces, the bottoms which are pants and the top which is a jacket. We put on the pants which are extremely tight and hard to put on. We then made wetsuit babies. They are made up of our fins, goggles with the snorkel, hood, and finally the wetsuit top. We put them all together to form our wetsuit baby. We then went down to the beach and got into your kayaks. I went in a single because I’m much more comfortable in them and they are a lot lighter so you can go faster. The whole class got into kayaks and went to Emerald Bay. We all beached our kayaks with help of our consoler Turtle, his real name is Alex. We then got into our snorkeling gear and started swimming out to Indian Rock. The water was much different then the C.E.L.P cove. Their where many different animals to. Their where giant bat rays all over the sandy bottom. We saw some Garibaldi fish, schools of all colors of fish, and sand dollars that looked like ocean Oreos. The island is shaped like a man laying on his back, with a big chest, and has one small leg.

~ Kiley

Day Four Begins

Yesterday we went snorkeling in the kelp forest and we got to touch a sea slug and a dead Garibaldi fish. We also saw bat rays on the ocean floor. I got wacked in the face with a flipper a couple of times. Then we went on an eco hike on the south side of the canyon. There were amazing views of the ocean and other parts of Catalina.

~ Leo

It was early in the morning, about 5:30, and I couldn’t sleep. I was tossing and turning in my sleeping bag, trying to force my eyes shut. I finally decided I was up for the day. I got out of my sleeping bag and slipped out of my cabin. I walked down to the beach, all I could hear was the sound of birds chirping. I sat on a rocky path by the beach and watched the sun come up over LA. The sky was filled with explosive orange and red colors. I waited until the sun came all the way up to slip back into my cabin and fall asleep.

~ Clara

A Message From Meenaa

The trip has been really fun so far. I have been learning to challenge myself in the activities we do through out each day. I have had fun snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, and so many other things. Catalina Island is a place where have learned about teamwork and actually supporting my team. Even though the school year is almost over I feel the trip has brought us together more. I love it here at Catalina Island but, I can’t wait to go home.

~ Meenaa