Environmental Exploration on Thompson Island

Thompson Island is a wonderful outdoor classroom for students to explore and learn, hands-on, about the environment and science. The island offers a diverse environment for students to explore, including fields, woods, beaches, and salt marshes. Below are some of the environmental activities students may participate in during their program on Thompson Island. Some of our activities are designed around current research projects, such as the "Microwilderness Study" (Harvard University's Museum of Comparative Zoology) and the Salt Marsh Restoration Science (Coastal Zone Managment and Massachusetts Audubon). Students practice "citizen science" collecting data that is turned in to the research organizations to further the study and knowledge of the project. The National Park Service has partnered with Thompson Island Ouward Bound Education Center to bring this exciting program to area schools.

Microwilderness on Thompson Island

The Boston Harbor Islands Partnership with Harvard University's Museum of Comparative Zoology are working on an all-taxa biodiversity inventory (ATBI) of insects and other invertebrate species found on the Boston Harbor Islands. This exploration will be a step toward an understanding of the natural diversity of the islands, and also perhaps an opportunity to discover new species. On Thompson Island students will have the opportunity to catch insects, record their findings, release insects, and report their finds to Harvard.

Learn more about the Microwilderness Study

Prior to European contact American Indians lived on the islands from early spring to late autumn. If one assumes the islands were surrounded by the abundant marine life that characterizes Massachusetts Bay today, then several species of fish, including striped bass, bluefish, and flounder, along with shellfish, would have provided a plentiful supply of food for American Indians. It is known that they fished in harbor waters and cleared fields and parts of the forest to plant crops of corn, beans, and squash. They also gathered wild berries and other plants for food and medicine, and hunted animals and fowl. According to the remains that have survived to modern times, the most common fauna were deer, cod, and softshell clam. Archeological evidence indicates that Indians used the islands for tool manufacturing and also for social and ceremonial activities. When English settlers arrived, Indians still regarded the islands as their home and remained until Euro-American settlers started encroaching on their land. Archaeologist have found that Native American's visited Thompson Island as long as 8,000- 10,000 years ago!

Learn more about Native American use of the Boston Harbor Islands

Predator/Prey

The predator/prey relationship exists throughout the natural world including Thompson Island and its surrounding waters. Students will learn about this important dynamic through an active experiential game in which they get the opportunity to become herbivores, carnivores and omnivores. As they learn about population, competition and the delicate balance of the food web, students will find there is more to predator/prey than who eats who.

Night Hike and Sensory Awareness

The night often conjures up ghost stories and scary images. On this night walk students will learn to feel comfortable with the night. Starting off by learning how to walk in the dark and moving on to hands-on sensory awareness activities, students will be introduced to the unique experience of Thompson Island at night. Once they have learned to use night vision and their senses, rather than flashlights, students will traverse the island with their field group learning about and looking for nocturnal animals.

Salt Marsh/Environmental Education

Thompson Island’s diverse habitat provides an ideal environment for experiential learning, the cornerstone of Outward Bound’s education ideology. Student “learn by doing” in salt marshes, on the beaches, and in the fields of Boston largest classroom, Thompson Island. The students will record the sights and sounds in and around our 40-acre pristine salt marsh. The students will have an opportunity to get knee deep in the marsh to explore and observe the wildlife. Thompson Island has all the gear and equipment required for the salt marsh activity.

Salt Marsh Restoration Monitoring Project

The salt marsh project, from 2004-2007, concerned a small salt marsh on the easterly shore of Thompson Island where the channel was blocked by man. Because of the blockage, the salt marsh became a brackish pond, with algae blooms, invasive species, and poor habitat for fish and birds.In 2007 a construction project opened up the channel. As part of the Federal and State grants to restore the salt marsh, data was and is being collected to monitor the marshes restoration to a fully functioning marsh. Additionally this restoration project will provide an educational opportunity for students to understand environmental stewardship by monitoring the salt marsh as it evolves back to its former natural state. Students will learn about the environmental benefits of restoring a salt marsh, such as creating a habitat for fish, birds and other wildlife. Students will get to observe the fish and bird species of the pond, test saline content of the water, and do other hands-on science projects.

Learn more about Thompson Island's Salt Marsh Restoration

Learn about Massachusetts Audubon's Salt Marsh Monitoring Citizen Science work and check out Thompson Island's data under the "Data" section.

Water Quality - Boston Harbor

Thompson Island’s unique location provides a perfect place to study water. Through hands on activities developed by the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority, students will learn about their community’s connection to Boston Harbor. The “Down the Drain” curriculum focuses on household water usage, wastewater treatment, the harbor as an ecosystem and the importance of clean water.

Learn more about the MWRA and water quality in Boston Harbor

Outward Bound Activities

Outward Bound's programs are designed to helps students work together as a team, have fun in a safe environment, and learn by doing the importance of stewardship of our enviornment and natural resources. By being outdoors (all day) and exploring the entire island (204 acres), students are with and in nature to study the natural world. Our science and environmental projects are combined with adventure and challenged-based activities that help students realize their possibilities as individuals and as a team.

Service Project

Outward Bound’s purpose is to help students develop respect for self, empathy for others, responsibility to community, and stewardship of the environment. Projects are designed to be fun and engaging, and to leave students with a sense of accomplishment and giving back to the community.

Thompson Island Outward Bound's Environment program is a 2-5 days program with overnight dorm accommodations and cafeteria dining. To speak with a sales representative, please call 617-328-3900 x116, or e-mail youthcontracts@thompsonisland.org.