Orangevale Seventh-day Adventist School

5810 Pecan Ave
Orangevale, CA, 95662-4623
916-988-4310 916-988-8026 FAX

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Catalina Education Trip, May 2009
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Proud moment with Dad!

     The 7th & 8th graders, along with many parents and their teacher, Mr. Davis, attended the outdoor education trip to Catalina Island, May 3 - 8, 2009.  Honoring God as the Creator, the junior high students spent five days at Emerald Bay completely absorbed with the island environment--cactus, quail, rustic tents, creatures of the ocean, etc. 
Hey, I think it is snug enough! The trust walk is kind of nerve-wracking!
     Snorkeling in the cold water provided an opportunity for many to experience the wetsuit, as well as to view many creatures beneath the water, including the California state fish, the Garibaldi.  
Fun to explore the tidepools. Hey, there's a crab! So fun to splash in the COLD water with friends!
     A favorite activity was the hike across the narrow part of the island to the other side at Parson's Beach.  Here they explored the tidepools, learned about plant life along the way, and enjoyed the peaceful and active lifestyle of the beach.  
Let's learn and let's build sand sculptures of these great marine mammals. Make sure the length of this creature is correct. So fun!
     Yes, there were regular classes with journaling (biology-style documentation).  These included marine mammals, plankton and marine invertebrates.  
Ready to collect some plankton and find tiny creatures! Learning about sharks and schools of fish at the shipwreck.
     The instructor made the classes fun, keeping the students actively involved.  
We are all ready for our squid dissection! The famous squid!
     Dissecting a squid was great for some.  For others, a pleasant attitude was required to keep them in the positive zone.
Morning devotions. Getting energized with God! Heading out to Indian Rock.
     The kayaking was a favorite.  After learning the skill of kayaking, the group headed out to Indian Rock, where they circled the small cluster of islands, looked at fish in the clear water below, and enjoyed the rolling swell motion of the ocean.  Following the lead of the instructor, they all beached their kayaks at a nearby sandy spot, spent time exploring and playing on the shores, and then returned to their kayaks to launch for the return trip back to Emerald Bay.  A highlight for a few of the dads was kayaking through the gap at Indian Rock.  Just beyond the end of the gap was a Harbor Seal.  The dads got quite the close-up look at the awesome creature of the marine environment.  
What a great place to learn about God, our Creator! Fun to look like our great instructor, Crane!
     The week ended with the kids putting on some outstanding and funny skits.  They were also challenged to change the world and break fears that get in their way for success.  Thank you, God, for a great week.