For the last four years, the Reserve’s education team has welcomed Portland High School (PHS) students and their teachers for a week of summer camp. The groups have engaged with the estuary while kayaking, learned firsthand about birds at the banding station, experienced the intersection of art and science while participating in the annual Dwellers of the Wells Reserve community art projects, and much more.

Last month, that idea became a reality. Twenty-one students, PHS teachers Kirsten McWilliams and Ann Hall, Reserve Education Director Suzanne Kahn, and Program Coordinator Caryn Beiter rode the train to Boston’s North Station and walked to the land of penguins, sea turtles, and jellyfish. We spent several hours exploring all of the tank displays, and even donned 3-D glasses for an educational film about dolphins. There were many firsts for the students that day! Many had never been on a train, some hadn’t been to Boston, and none had visited the Aquarium.

Following the field trip, students were asked to reflect on their experience. When asked what about the NEA interested them most, this is what some of the students had to say:

• The NEA helps protect the environment by taking action and educating people. Their efforts, like keeping sea turtle nesting sites safe and reducing pollution, show how small changes can make a big difference. It’s inspiring to see how awareness and teamwork can help save endangered species.
• NEA is interested in keeping nature more habitable and pollution-free for the animals that live there and their habitat. This really makes me happy and more interested in knowing that there are people in this world who want to help animals and nature.
• The part that interests me the most is how NEA cares so much about our environment. I really love how they go far into helping animals, caring for them, showing people how these animals are precious and how we as humans need to stop our pollution. One example is upon watching the movie I saw how they would help dolphins who are stuck on the shore get back in the water, they would help them become strong again, and then release them in the water. That really touched my heart because this is not an easy job.
• The most interesting part to me was how beautifully the people worked to save the animals, how they had one mission and it was to help. They did so by working with each other. I used to say working in teams is hard when people have different opinions and different goals but when we have one goal we can make such a change.

Other reflective responses from the students, filled with gratitude, include:

• I had a lot of fun learning about new species of marine life and enjoyed watching the movie. If you invited me to come again I would.
• It was eye-opening to learn how small actions can have a big impact on protecting the environment. I’ve realized that each of us can make a difference, whether it’s picking up trash or making sustainable choices, to help keep our planet healthy.
• Thank you for today. I'm so thankful that we all got the opportunity to go to Boston on the train. It was a wonderful experience to explore the city together and learn new things. Furthermore, I really enjoyed going to the NEA and spending time with friends. This trip reminded me of how important it is to take adventures and create memories, and I appreciate Wells Estuary and Portland Public Schools for making it all happen.
• I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in this field trip. It was a truly wonderful experience. We learned new things about animals and how we can improve their protection. I would like to share that this experience was truly valuable in getting to know these women better and sharing with them, building a community with the same interests.
• This trip was so good. I enjoyed it a lot and I saw new animals in real life for the first time. To conclude, it was an amazing experience and will keep in my mind as a great memory.
• I would really like to say thank you for the opportunity you gave me to go to Boston to learn about different animals and their habitats. I really love learning about each species, and each is different. One of my favorite parts was watching the movie where I learned all about dolphins and how they need our help. I came to the realization that taking responsibility for my trash is really important because I don’t want it to end up in the middle of the ocean. I had a great time. Thank you.
• This was an experience that I could have never had if it wasn’t for them, and I found interest in things that I didn’t know could interest me. So I am very thankful to them.
• I want to thank you very much because you gave us a spectacular day. Thank you for making us smile in the dark.

The Reserve looks forward to seeing lots more smiles, welcoming yet another group of PHS students for a week of summer camp in a couple of months. Thank you to teachers Kirsten McWilliams and Ann Hall for your ongoing commitment! And many thanks to all those who have provided financial support to keep this impactful camp running. We are so very grateful!

Following is the list of generous funders since the camp’s launch in 2021:

• The Agnes M. Lindsay Trust
• The Frances Hollis Brain Fund at Maine Community Foundation
• Maine Department of Education Outdoor Learning Initiative
• Maine Summer Camps with support from L.L.Bean
• Margaret E. Burnham Charitable Trust
• Mattina Proctor Seacoast Explorers Fund
• Paquette Fund
• Portland Public Schools
• Rebecca Richardson Lifelong Environmental Learning Fund
• The Tenny Donnelly Fund at Maine Community Foundation