Seventh Grade Makes Memories on Chesapeake Bay Foundation Trip

One of the most beloved rites of passage in the educational career of an Indian Creek student is the seventh grade Chesapeake Bay Foundation trip. This year, the Class of 2023 discovered that the hype is all true, as they enjoyed the beauty and camaraderie found in life on the Bay.

The seventh grade students, along with faculty chaperones Bruce Crossman, Daria Darby, Rebecca Derry, Maruca Garcia, Jessica Porter, and Laura Zlatos spent three days immersed in bay life, as they visited Smith Island and Port Isobel from April 25-27. As Emma ’23 shared upon her return, “It’s the best trip in the whole school!”

This extraordinary educational experience is hosted and run by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). Students learn first hand about the biology of the bay, the delicate balance of our ecosystems, and the importance of responsible environmental stewardship. Plus, the trip provides the perfect foundation for team-building and making memories for a lifetime. Mrs. Miles, who has participated in the CBF trip for many years describes the value in this trip quite eloquently. “One of my favorite things about the CBF trip is to watch the transformations that happen when kids who start out the trip apprehensive and reticent blossom and build esteem by trying new experiences and conquering challenges. Kids who are afraid to get dirty at first end up covered in marsh muck with a big, happy smile. This trip is THE best way to create stewards of our beautiful Chesapeake Bay.”

The Class of 2023 boated from Chrisfield, Maryland, to their assigned islands, where they spent three days immersed in bay life. Students enjoyed canoeing, walking around the island to meet locals, and learning how to set up and launch crab pots. They took a boat ride to an abandoned island, inhabited only by seagulls to hunt for bone relics and sea glass. Highlights of this year’s trip included meeting some new wildlife friends: students observed a terrapin near a church on Smith Island where the turtles lay their eggs. And of course, the students all experienced the highlight of every CBF trip: Marsh Mucking! Students woke up at dawn to experience the beautiful Chesapeake sunrise, and stayed up after dark for a night hike to tell scary stories in an old cemetery. Faculty chaperone Mrs. Porter shared, “It is so fun to watch the kids play outside in such a beautiful spot. I love having the opportunity to get to know them outside of the classroom. I think we were all a little sad when we had to pack up on Friday.” Christian ’23 agreed. “I already have nostalgia for this trip. We should go to CBF every year!”

Click here to view a full gallery of CBF photos.
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Indian Creek school is a co-educational, college preparatory independent school, located in Crownsville, Maryland.  Students in Pre-K3 through grade 12 receive a vibrant educational experience based on excellent academics steeped in strong student-teacher connections.