[slideshow]

It’s been a busy week down here on the Cape, with our Eleutheran Explorer campers diving head first into many of the research programs currently running at CEI. Monday found them dissecting lionfish in the wet lab and feeding cobia out at the cage, while Tuesday took them to the intertidal creeks of Half Sound. There, campers explored the natural ecosystems of mangrove beds, seine netted for juvenile fish, and – most excitedly – raced our very own Bonita through the water in search of turtles! It was a successful day out in the field and was rewarded with a sleep-in on Wednesday morning.

Speaking of morning (exercise), Tuesday also found kids running and swimming, running and swimming, running and swimming through the trails and waters of the Cape, led fearlessly by Chris Maxey himself. Everybody survived, and all were begging to do another one by week’s end (night run-swim, anyone?).

Thursday was the culmination of our program, in which campers explored the banyan tree and caves of Rock Sound before returning to campus and enjoying a lazy afternoon on the beach – and each other’s company (despite the rain). Parents returned in the evening for some traditional Bahamian fare and were treated to a graduation ceremony, in which everybody presented on the work that was accomplished throughout the week. The night closed with a slideshow and all campers receiving diplomas for a job well done!

We look forward to seeing many of our Explorers back on the Cape in one way or another and wish them a happy summer!