Sea Camp 2012 Day 3 Group B
Kayaking, Plankton Lab, and Sea World
The fog that blanketed the coast on our Monday arrive was a faint
memory as the glowing sliver of new moon faded into the orange red sunrise over
the distant eastern hills and mountains of Southern California. It may read
October 17th on the calendar, but heat haze lifting off of the
asphalt made it feel more like August 17th. For
group B most of the Marquee Sea Camp activities were either ahead of behind us
so the mood among the students was one of relaxed anticipation. Who needs snorkeling, boogie boarding, or dissection
labs when you have kayaking, plankton lab, and Sea World on the docket?
In years past, Kayaking mostly filled the space in between
the plankton lab and the departure for Sea World. This year the activity took center stage in the
morning schedule. Everyone made it on to
their red hard plastic double kayaks without flipping which is a real feat and glided
into the middle of the bay outside the Camps front doors. 
After forming a ‘kayak raft’ we discussed the
adaptations and hardships that animals must overcome to survive in the man-made
bay just north of downtown San Diego. Due
to the shallowness, large surface area to volume ratio, and storm run-off, the
temperature and salinity of the bay will vary widely. The species that use Mission Bay as a home
and nursery must be hardy enough to withstand all of these constant changes to
thrive. Once understanding how humankind’s
actions affect the habitat for these animals, we played a simulation game
called evisceration. One of the
adaptations that the fascinating sea cucumber has when threatened is to eviscerate(expels) it’s intestines so that the predator becomes distracted by the lure of
a free meal so the sea cucumber can escape.
In our adapted kayak game, students were to get a blue ball from the
water and into one of the two counselors yellow kayaks for a point. There were two teams and kayakers could pass
the ball from one team member to another.
The defending team without the ball tried to block passes and they could
force boat carrying the ball to eviscerate the ball if they rammed the ball
carriers boat with their own. Once the
ball was in the open water, boats scrabbled to take possession and start the
process again. The surprise star of the
game was Ally who was our group’s top scorer.
The game within the game was to see which boat could capsize the
most. I believe the top team found the
harsh Mission Bay water eight times.
After forming a ‘kayak raft’ we discussed the
adaptations and hardships that animals must overcome to survive in the man-made
bay just north of downtown San Diego. Due
to the shallowness, large surface area to volume ratio, and storm run-off, the
temperature and salinity of the bay will vary widely. The species that use Mission Bay as a home
and nursery must be hardy enough to withstand all of these constant changes to
thrive. Once understanding how humankind’s
actions affect the habitat for these animals, we played a simulation game
called evisceration. One of the
adaptations that the fascinating sea cucumber has when threatened is to eviscerate(expels) it’s intestines so that the predator becomes distracted by the lure of
a free meal so the sea cucumber can escape.
In our adapted kayak game, students were to get a blue ball from the
water and into one of the two counselors yellow kayaks for a point. There were two teams and kayakers could pass
the ball from one team member to another.
The defending team without the ball tried to block passes and they could
force boat carrying the ball to eviscerate the ball if they rammed the ball
carriers boat with their own. Once the
ball was in the open water, boats scrabbled to take possession and start the
process again. The surprise star of the
game was Ally who was our group’s top scorer.
The game within the game was to see which boat could capsize the
most. I believe the top team found the
harsh Mission Bay water eight times. The Plankton lab was riveting, but we will move on to the MEGA fauna that we witnessed in the afternoon.
I am afraid that my
words can’t do the wonders of Sea World justice. To see an Orca up close is truly awe inspiring. Their size, strength, and intelligence is
unfathomable and watching the shows and the animals during their break times
only scratches the surface of these top predators. 
In addition to orca tanks, there is also Shark
Encounter, Turtle Rescue, Penguin Encounter, Wild Artic (beluga whales, polar
bears, and walruses), bat rays, sea lions, otters, bottle nose dolphins, and a
top notch aquarium. The shows are the real
attraction. You have the Shamu’s One
World, Blue Horizon (dolphins and divers), Sea Lion show (the most
entertaining), and the pet show. Finely,
if the animals don’t float your boat, then you always can cool off on the water
coaster Atlantis, air out on the roller coaster Manta, or just get soaked on
the Ship Wreck Rapids. I can’t possible
write about all the things to see and do, so just look at the pictures and
enjoy.
In addition to orca tanks, there is also Shark
Encounter, Turtle Rescue, Penguin Encounter, Wild Artic (beluga whales, polar
bears, and walruses), bat rays, sea lions, otters, bottle nose dolphins, and a
top notch aquarium. The shows are the real
attraction. You have the Shamu’s One
World, Blue Horizon (dolphins and divers), Sea Lion show (the most
entertaining), and the pet show. Finely,
if the animals don’t float your boat, then you always can cool off on the water
coaster Atlantis, air out on the roller coaster Manta, or just get soaked on
the Ship Wreck Rapids. I can’t possible
write about all the things to see and do, so just look at the pictures and
enjoy.
The most unique experience hands down goes to Trevor Buetner
who got to participate in the Dolphin Interaction program. Again a picture (or 194) is worth a thousand
words, so please vicariously enjoy his time with the Sea World Dolphins. In addition to working with an Atlantic
Bottlenose Dolphins, Trevor and I got to go back stage to feed the pilot
whales. Dolphins and pilot whale
interactions in a 90 minute span, truly a once in a lifetime experience.
From sunny and hot San Diego, good night and good luck.
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