PDS Jr Class Trip to the Florida Keys

Estimated time of arrival is 12:00 pm at the Central Church of God.

We just got showers at Key West High (home of the fighting Conchs).  Would you believe 100+ kids thru the showers in less than an hour?  We are clean and ready for the all night drive. I’ll post our ETA on the blog and sports hotline by 9am tomorrow.  Please meet us at Central Church of God by 11am tomorrow.

Home of the Fighting Conchs

We are currently sailing out of Key West on two huge catamarans.  We’ll sail on a three-hour tour that includes snorkeling on the barrier reef.  Afterwards we’ll shower at Key West High School before heading home.  See you all tomorrow around 11am!

We had a hard rain mid-day, but were blessed with a gorgeous afternoon. Classes are done, and we are all enjoying dinner in world-famous Duval Street.

Chaperones on Duval Street

I’m up early with our fishing enthusiasts. On the horizon I see another beautiful sunrise and a rainbow. The forecast is  for temps in the 80s again.  I hate to say it, but we are not missing Charlotte right now!

Early Morning Fishing

It’s been a beautiful day thus far. Our students have snorkeled on barrier reefs in the Atlantic, dissected squid, and swam with sharks.  After dinner, students will get a chance to catch more nocturnal critters or study invertebrate biodiversity in algae communities.

Sunrise Day Two

Morning Announcements

Getting ready for boat trips

Shark Lessons

Squid Dissection - Calamari anyone?

After spending a long night on the bus, and the morning at the Miami Seaquarium, we’ve finally arrived at NHMI on Big Pine Key around 4pm.  While the kids call this the ”Key West trip,” we spend tonight and the next two days on Big Pine.  After we stow our gear, we’ll take a property tour, do our swim tests, and eat dinner.  Tonight we’ll have our first class, when students will study noctural adaptations and wade shallow waters to catch some critters!