6:10 - Wake up time! North side alarm goes off.

6:15 - I get up out of bed to turn on the lights.

6:21 - The rest of the dorm starts to get out of bed.

6:26 - Most boys are up and out of bed, getting ready for their respective morning exercise.

6:30 - The time that we are supposed to be out for circle. Unfortunately, that does not happen every morning, but it’s not always the fault of the boys.

6:40 - Morning exercise begins.

Monday

Mondays are usually days for regular run/swim tracks. Run track is different most days where students will do a variety of different running workouts. I personally am in run track and we have quite a few different routines. Our runs usually range from a minimum of two miles and we’ve maxed out at about six to seven miles thus far. Other workouts consist of timed sprints with slow jogs in between each sprint. The end goal for run track is a half marathon. Swim track has their own workouts to prepare them for a four-mile swim at the end of the year.

Tuesday

Tuesday is our once-a-week long track. Run track runs down the Queens highway for a certain amount of time and turns around to run back once that time is up. Last week, we ran twenty-five minutes down the highway and then ran back. Swim track also has long track, and they swam to a pole toward the marina. Their swim was a total of about one mile.

Wednesday

Wednesday mornings are special because we can sleep-in. Usually, we have circle at 6:30 in the morning. Wednesdays, first circle isn’t until 8:00 AM, however, there is an optional free-dive available to students who would like to participate. Free diving is simply diving without a SCUBA kit. Usually, we travel to Tunnel Rock dive site on Wednesdays. Tunnel Rock is the shallower of the two free diving sites that we habituate. It is a massive coral head that is full of holes and tunnels. Its deepest point is about thirty-five feet and the top of the coral head is no deeper than fifteen feet below the surface.

Thursday

Thursday’s morning exercise is normal run and swim tracks. Each group does their respective exercises just like a Monday run and swim track routine.

Friday

Fridays are either a regular exercise day or, as I call it, a “Special Exercise Day.” We could either have a “psycho”, a timed run/swim or regular track practice. A psycho is a combination of exercises and running. We start at the flagpole and start to follow a staff member as they run to a location. Once we arrive at said location we will participate in some sort of exercise for 1-4 minutes on average. We might do push-ups, wall-sits, leg-lifts, other abs workouts, squats (etc.). This pattern continues for about forty-five minutes until it’s time for chores.

Saturday

I love Saturday morning exercise. Almost every Saturday, I would rather wake up early to exercise than to sleep in. So far, we have had the option of yoga or ultimate Frisbee at the marina. There was one day when we played soccer, also. Ultimate Frisbee is one of my favorite activities to play at home and having an opportunity to do it here is awesome for me. I love watching the sunrise over the ocean as a white disc flies effortlessly through the air (depending on who threw it). Ultimate is a great way to exercise but to have fun at the same time.

Sunday

There is no official morning exercise on Sundays, but there is a free dive at 10:00 to the “cathedral” dive site. I love cathedral because it is different than Tunnel Rock, which gives me an opportunity to explore a dive site separate from the one we use for our Marine Ecology dives. One Sunday morning, I woke up at about 8:00 and used the “Flintstone” gym with Justin. The Flintstone gym is a pile of barbells with molded concrete on each end and a few sets of differently weighted, concrete dumbbells. One might be surprise how much one can do with such limited resources.

It is 6:30 in the morning, and the Spring 2016 students are already up and ready for morning exercise. We had dragged ourselves out of bed and threw our exercise clothes on. Still half asleep, we listen to the morning announcements and sing the national anthem. Everyone moseys down to the water in no rush, knowing that in three minutes we will be diving into the ocean to begin the infamous Run/Swim! We split up into dorm groups, dreading the words, “Alright, everyone in the water!” Getting in the cold water is the hardest part, especially when there is still a chill in the air. We take a minute to appreciate the beautiful sunrise over the ocean and mentally prepare for the tough twenty minutes ahead. Then one by one, each dorm starts their time and are off to the races.

During the first swim, arms and legs are flailing everywhere and it is hard to pull away from the pack. The first swim feels easy after a full night of rest, but the next few continuously feel harder and harder. We climb out onto the rocky shore and begin our first run. Then, we run until we meet the next bay and then dive into the water again. We repeat this pattern three more times until we reach the wall. The wall is about eight feet tall and definitely one of the hardest parts of the Run/Swim. Students approach the wall, regain their breath, and then use every ounce of their strength to pull themselves up and over the cement ledge. Sometimes with a little help from a faculty member or peer, everyone eventually defeats the wall and is off running again. We run through a big field and down the road a little ways until we reach the rock ledge. This is hands down the most exciting part of the Run/Swim for many of the participants. Everyone encourages and cheers on those who are nervous to make the intimidating jump. As our tired legs leap of the ground and plunge into the water, we get a second burst of energy. We continue the pattern of swimming and running four more times, but this time they feel ten times harder. Turning around the corner and seeing The Island School campus is one of the best feelings in the world. We push ourselves on the final swim, knowing that in a minute we will be sitting on a bench feeling proud and accomplished. We pull ourselves onto shore and sprint to the finish line. Those who have already finished cheer everyone on as they make the final leap to touch the flagpole. You can’t help but to smile after this accomplishment. We wait for everyone to finish, then gather around the flagpole for a final cheer. When we are allowed to leave, everyone rushes to the dorms to claim a shower. It feels as though we have been up for hours, but really the long day has just begun.

My first full day as an Island School student was a whirlwind, and to begin it all was the introduction to my bike. Touted as the “key to your Island School freedom” I was anxious to begin my 100-day journey with the blue bike. However, I quickly learned that as a kid who never took his training wheels off, it was going to be a challenge.

This challenge was no different than the ones we face everyday; riding a bike is just as mental as it is physical. The same way running a half marathon, or beating your personal best in a run-swim will push you to your limits, biking has pushed me to mine. It started with a couple of bumps and bruises, and admittedly a bit fear. My very first day on a bike consisted of pedaling for a grand total of 2 seconds before eating the gravel and dirt. I spent most of SCUBA week sitting in the bus while everyone else rode their bikes, but that’s where Jason gave me the idea to ride a trike!

With my huge training wheels in hand, I began riding the massive trike around campus and the inner loop. I realized that the comparison between our wheeled vehicles and freedom was not hyperbole, as I have been able to discover numerous parts of Cape Eleuthera which were previously mysteries. There have been difficulties with riding a trike, as it’s significantly bigger and slower, making some areas difficult to reach. In addition, they’re valuable for many different tasks on campus, making them difficult to find. Like any of the challenges we have faced at the Island School, we find ourselves in uncomfortable situations and are forced to make a change or continue to struggle.

In that faith I returned to my noble steed, with the intention of conquering the many nuances that come with two-wheeled cycling. I began pedaling on the Queen’s highway, and couldn’t make it any further than I previously had. It was in this moment that I was approached by Cooper. Andrew and Charlie. They were heading out on exploration, and they stopped and stayed with we for the majority of the next hour. We tried many different methods, and they stayed patient through my irritation and frustration. After a few more bumps and bruises, and the invaluable help of my friends, I was able to pedal three times in a row!

Despite the difficulties associated with my road to becoming a biker, I know challenges are aplenty at the Island School. We have all been physically and mentally pushed in a variety of different situations, beginning from our first night in Eleuthera. However, a constant among these challenges and difficulties has been the camaraderie and support fostered among our students and faculty. Throughout my difficulties with biking, I’ve received support from friends and teachers, all of whom seem genuinely invested in my successful transition from a trike to a bike. I will learn how to ride a bike, but I will never forget that you can go just as far on a trike, as you can on a bike.

When was the last time you free dived? Never? Me either. Until coming to The Island School, I never thought I could hold my breath for more than 10 seconds at a time. Hearing the crazy stories of Maxey sitting on the bottom of Cathedral, which is a giant rock that goes down 40 feet, felt like an unreal lie and heightened my self consciousness of breath holding, preventing me from ever trying. However, one morning when we were offered the option instead of sleep-in, a bold choice I know, I decided to take a leap of faith. Every morning here is an early morning, but there is something truly magical about being on a boat at 6:30 in the morning watching the sunrise over the water. All sleepy thoughts and foggy heads instantly fade once the golden beams break the horizon. I never truly understood the beauty of a sunrise until getting here. In the wise words of Peter, “the sunrise tells you all you need to know.” Getting into the water is the hardest part, but once your snorkel, fins and mask is on, the urge to jump in is unbearable. As a newcomer, you’re pretty much the worst free diver there, but with firsthand knowledge, that is not an issue whatsoever. Swimming over the massive rock, fish, coral, and sometimes turtles if you’re lucky, fill the reef with vibrant colors and movement. The first dive is always the hardest. Equalizing is awkward the first time and as much as you don’t want to accept it, patience is key. Diving deep into the blue abyss, suddenly a fire burns in your chest like no other pain you’ve felt before and swimming upward is the only escape. Breaking the surface, your lungs fill with air and the sensation is gone. But, then something comes over you and you have to do it again. This is the same feeling that makes you wake up every Wednesday morning to get into the water again. Until before you know it, you’ve broken the 10 seconds and can hold your breath for 20.

Check out Meg’s time lapse video of the other morning here: GOPR0128!

It’s seven in the morning and I’m laying in a hammock on the deck of girls dorm writing this blog and listening to Jack Johnson. I’m not wearing my glasses or contacts so I cant really see what I’m writing but hey—I like to live on the edge. That’s why I’m here, right? When I came here I had no idea how much of a challenge it would be in ways that I didn’t even imagine. I thought that jumping off cliffs and waking up early to exercise were going to be what pushed me. In fact it has not been those things, however six thirty run track is nothing to be scoffed at.

What really pushes me here is the combination of everything. I didn’t think I was coming to circus camp but I’m certainly learning how to juggle. It’s the five-hour research blocks, coupled with hour-and-a-half long classes. It’s getting up early and staying up late (ten thirty now feels like staying up late.) It’s being constantly around people and always on the go. However, this exhaustion is rewarding in its way. When I go to bed at night I am constantly amazed about everything that I have accomplished during the day. And when I wake up I find myself surprised that I have energy in the morning, yet everyday I wake up excited to face the next challenge, and there have been quite a few in the short month that we’ve been here.

During our ten-day orientation we had three days of SCUBA diving and three days of kayak. SCUBA diving was what challenged me the most between those two. I absolutely hated SCUBA diving at first, it seemed preposterous and stupid and ridiculous to try to breathe under water and my SCUBA diving instructor is determined to adapt and become a fish (Hi Pat!). Anyway, it was something that I feared and absolutely did not want to do twice a day. But that was what I signed up for so I did it twice a day for three days. I was particularly struggling with one of the drills that we had to do in order to get certified. Doing this drill involved taking my mask off underwater and then putting it back on. Every single time I took my mask off I would freak out and demand to go to the surface. However, on my last dive during the three day period, I was able to take my mask off, put it back on, and clear it. I felt an absolute rush of success. The dive that we did after was the most fun dive I’ve done so far—it was so beautiful and we took fins off and jumped around and I felt like I was flying. Something I feared turned into something that I loved.

Right after SCUBA came kayak. I loved kayak because I have been kayaking my whole life and was no afraid of it. I had never ocean kayaked before and we faced some nasty waves and currents. There were a few times when I would see a wave approach me and think: well, this is it. Those waves never ended up being the end, but it was nice when we were on calmer waters. Kayak was a beautiful experience. The water is so clear and blue and this island is a magnificent sight to see. Having a campfire under the stars on the beach surrounded by weirdos that become your best friends is one of the best things ever.

Now we’re in academic weeks that go by in the blink of an eye. Everyday is a new challenge, a new piece of homework I don’t think I have time to do, another long run on a hot morning. Yet everyday I am able to overcome those challenges, I do the things that I never thought I would be able to do and that is the beauty of The Island School, you discover that you can do so much more than you ever thought you could.

Everyone who I met when I told them that I would be going SCUBA diving at The Island School said that each dive would be an incredible experience and that my first breath underwater would be one that I would never forget. SCUBA diving is one of the things that The Island School offered that really pulled me in and got me interested in the program. I was so excited once I got here to finally go on my first dive and have the experience of my life. Four days into the semester, rotation week started. During rotation week, half of the students go on a three-day kayak trip and the other half has three-day SCUBA training. I really wanted to have SCUBA training first partly because I didn’t want to have to leave the campus just after I arrived, but mostly because I was way to excited to dive.

After putting together out kits (this part should not be taken lightly as setting up kits takes some time and they’re pretty heavy) we were ready to descend and start our training underwater. My first breath was exactly the opposite of what everyone told me it would be like. I was scared, I was breathing at an unstructured pace, and I was panicking. In addition to this, I could not manage to sink to the bottom of the six-foot drop where we would do our training. I had to be quite literally pulled to the bottom by my SCUBA instructor.

When the first day was over I decided that I didn’t like diving. I was disappointed because I wanted so badly to love it and be good at it but I didn’t love it and I wasn’t good at it. Even with these thoughts in my mind, I went back out in full spirits the next day to continue training. I did slightly better and enjoyed it a little more day two but I was still bad and I was still dreading having to go back for one more day of training. The third day was completely unlike the first two days. We went on our first deep-sea dive, 40 feet for half an hour, and I did as well as I ever did. I managed to sink straight down (which normally is something you don’t exactly wish for when in the middle of the ocean) and I kept myself balanced at the bottom and I wasn’t breathing at a strange pace and I wasn’t scared. I was feeling what I was told I would feel. The day ended with getting SCUBA certified, a feat that I was very proud of, and root beer floats (If you’ve been to The Island School then you know how crazy that is, and if you’re applying to The Island School in the future, root beer floats aren’t something I’d necessarily count on having all the time).

Since SCUBA week, I have been on three dives for Marine Ecology and loved each one more than the last. The first couple of seconds when I am dropping down into the bright blue ocean still take me aback every time. When you drop into the ocean when diving, it truly feels like you are diving into a new world. You forget everything around you and nothing is wrong-everything is right. SCUBA diving is empowering and it is something that I look forward to every week and something I look back on to see my huge growth that has already taken place.

(Hi to Mike, Nolan, and Molly)

Check out some work Spring ’16 students produced for an Art / Human Ecology project! Their assignment was to take photographs that tell the visual story of some aspect of the sustainable systems on campus.

Meg Manning:

The central question posed at the Island School is “How does one live well in a place?” In order for this school to continue the goal of sustainability, we must strive to be carbon neutral…  If we can achieve this goal, then this question can begin to be answered. On a more personal level, the way that I can live well in this place is by continuing to ask questions. Would becoming carbon neutral be through investing in more biodiesel or more wind and solar energy? How much would this cost? Some of these questions can’t be answered right off the bat, but that is the focus of this photo story, to challenge the systems we have place here at the Island School. If I’m not digging deeper into the reasoning behind such systems, I am doing something wrong.​

Caroline Peters

To live well in this place, I must be a part of the community. I must share and look out for others and their interests as well as my own. I also should not waste resources, for the sake of the community and the environment. In these images, I was trying to capture the subtle beauty of the Aquaponics system. By taking detailed, abstract photos I was able to really see the details of the system, which allowed me to think more deeply about the sustainability of the system. It also led me to more questions…

Lizzie Feldman-DeMello

I think in order to live well in a place one would have to connect with that place physically and emotionally. Honestly I had never thought too much about it until I read the pre-semester reading by Lopez on Columbus’ discovery of the new land. By physically I mean one should be aware of what resources that place has to offer. When I say emotionally I mean one should be empathetic to the planet; not abuse what it has to offer and try to conserve its beauty and resources. One who lives well in a place knows how to use the natural resources to his or her best advantage by conserving the resources as much as he or she can, not being greedy with how much he or she takes and appreciating his or her surroundings. To live well in this place, I need to be aware of my surroundings and appreciate every single second of it without taking anything for granted.

Here on campus, we’ve been carefully monitoring the continued coverage of the Zika Virus.  We would like to reiterate that no cases have been reported in the Bahamas, and also that we will continue to keep a watchful eye on the progress of the virus.

We on Eleuthera have been following the reporting on the Zika virus in the news and want to update you on our response and address some concerns that have been raised.  We are aware of the spread of the Zika virus throughout South America and the Caribbean, and are monitoring the CDC, PAHO/WHO, the US Embassy in Nassau, and local media and public health reporting in The Bahamas for updates. The CDC does not currently list The Bahamas as having any reported cases of Zika virus infection. Because the spread of Zika and other viruses to all countries where Aedes aegypti are endemic is predicted, we are applying our standing mosquito protection protocols for our community as usual.

The spread of these viral diseases is difficult to monitor properly – as the article mentions, infections of a specific type can only be verified in a laboratory test.  We encourage prevention of mosquito bites – some students bring personal no-see-um mesh camping type nets for their beds, and bug-net pants and tops. We also promote use of DEET and encourage covering up with long socks and long pants and long sleeves.

We also monitor the CDC for general medical issues:

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/clinician/none/the-bahamas

and the US State Department for safety, travel, and security:

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/the-bahamas.html

and

https://www.osac.gov/Pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=17138

We recommend you read the information in the above links and be familiar with the local issues.

The health of our students and communication with families have always been top priorities. Please reach out if you have any questions.

Read the prepared PDF from Global Rescue LLC here