May 7, 2012

By: Paul Lamoureux, Vice President of Programs

Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center’s Annual Gala was recently held at the Seaport Hotel and was the most successful event in recent memory. More than 500 people filled the Seaport’s largest ballroom. Student ambassadors and young alumni from Thompson Island Outward Bound programs acted as guides, shepherding attendees from the many hotel entrances to the registration areas while revealing stories of Thompson Island experiences.

Principal Teresa Harvey-Jackson of the Marshall Elementary School in Dorchester spoke about the impact of the Summer Connections program on the students who attended, as well as on her larger school community. As Principal Harvey-Jackson made her remarks, teachers and students from the Marshall Elementary School and the Orchard Gardens K-8 Pilot School in Roxbury shared the stage with her to the delight of the audience.

According to Principal Harvey-Jackson, Marshall School students returned after their summer experience on Thompson Island “changed.” The following is excerpted directly from her remarks.

“What is truly remarkable about this story is how a five-week program for 40 students made a difference for all 90 rising fourth graders. The fourth grade teachers and I had observed how difficult the third grade year had been for some of them, especially our children who struggle with emotional and social needs. However, when they returned in the fall they looked different. They were happy and chatted about their summer learning. During writer’s workshop they eagerly shared stories about the island. Their vocabulary had grown. They were more curious. They also behaved differently. They were nicer to each other. In cooperative math and reading groups they worked well together. They filed through the building modeling appropriate behavior. I was beginning to think they had been hypnotized but they were still their loud, animated selves at lunchtime in the cafeteria.”

She goes on to characterize the experience for some of her students on the island.

“While you struggled academically during the school year, you are amongst students that excelled, yet you are all learning new things together. You became risk takers. This is all new to everyone so you are willing to expose yourself. You discover that there are things that you do better than your academically talented peers. You all rely on each other for support. You laugh together not at each other. It now feels childish to taunt one another. With each new experience your self-esteem grows. On the ferry ride home you wonder where the day went. How can it be 4:00pm when it was just 8:00 a.m.?”

By way of thanking the assembled donors for their support, Principal Harvey-Jackson closed with the following:

“I’m going to ask you to give yourselves a great big hug. That hug is from the many, many children who are grateful to people like you that make it possible for them to have the same summer experiences that my own biological children, as well as your children, take for granted. Without you I could not provide my students with this amazing, memorable opportunity. On behalf of Boston Public School students, thank you for caring and your commitment to making a difference for children. Finally I would be remiss if I didn’t thank our superintendent of schools, Dr. Carol Johnson for embracing non-traditional summer programming and seeking partnerships that provide our children with valuable learning opportunities.”

The Gala was once again a wonderful way to hear directly from those most impacted by Thompson Island programs. It is particularly gratifying that we are able to serve so many from the communities most at-risk and most in need. In 2012, Connections will ignite a love of learning in 4,000 students from over 40 schools, 75% of which are located in Boston’s under-served communities.

As the Gala was winding down, the Thompson Island spring expedition season was ramping up. Harbor Connections instructors were following-up on more than 150 preparatory classroom visits this spring with the first field expeditions of the year.

Students and teachers from the Curley K-8 School in Jamaica Plain, the Condon Elementary School in South Boston, and the Winthrop Elementary School in Dorchester all traveled to Lovell’s Island. Under the guidance of Thompson Island instructors and National Park Rangers, students explored the island’s extensive tide pools collecting specimens, handling animal life, gathering and recording data and having a wonderful learning experience directly within the tidal ecosystem.

Thompson Island came alive with students and teachers from the Edwards Middle School in Charlestown and the Mildred Avenue Middle School in Mattapan. Thompson Island instructors and National Park Rangers co-facilitated impactful, hands-on learning expeditions based on weather and water curriculum. Students traversed the island, collecting water samples, using instruments to determine the water’s salinity, creating hypotheses and learning about how salinity relates to density.

One of the teacher’s had the following to say:

“Thank you so much for the wonderful, well-planned field trip you and your staff provided yesterday. The students learned a lot about the different kinds of water and their density. Our teachers and chaperones thought that this was the best field trip we have ever had. Thanks again.”

Although well-articulated by principals and teachers, it is clear that the impact of Thompson Island does not only apply to students. This holds true for everyone who comes to Thompson Island from the conference attendee, to the wedding guest, to the professional group, to the corporate volunteers, to the company outing, to the runners in our annual 4k race. No matter what the program or event, Thompson Island has the power to touch and transform lives and to create lasting memories through learning or bonding experiences.

Attending our recent Gala was yet another reminder for me of this impact and I’m truly thankful for the incredible generosity of all those attending the event. I’m extremely proud and grateful to be part of an organization that inspires such support from the community.

I also want to thank the corporate and student volunteers who worked at the Gala. We couldn’t have done it without you. But mostly, I want to thank Principal Harvey-Jackson who so clearly demonstrated her passion for the value and impact of the Thompson Island experience.

To view additional photos from the Gala click here.

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March 22, 2012

By: Paul Lamoureux, Vice President of Programs

It’s March, clocks have been set ahead, spring has officially begun and Thompson Island youth programs are underway.

Thompson Island instructor in the classroom.

On March 7th, the first youth program of the year began with Thompson Island and National Park Service staff co-instructing a Harbor Connections lessons for 5th graders at the JFK elementary school in Jamaica Plain.

Concurrently, our program staff were meeting with teachers and planning the Environmental Connections expedition at the Rogers Middle School in Hyde Park and the Lilla G. Frederick Pilot School in Dorchester.

Summer Connections student recruitment efforts are also underway. Program staff visited two returning schools, the Marshall Elementary School in Dorchester and the Orchard Gardens K-8 School in Roxbury, to get this year’s 3rd grade students excited about enrolling in Summer Connections as rising 4th graders. When we arrived, it was clear that word had spread about previous year student’s positive experience, as both schools 3rd grades were “abuzz” with anticipation.

Equally exciting were our visits to two new elementary schools that will participate in Summer Connections this year: the Mather Elementary School and the Holland Elementary School, both located in Dorchester. We are extremely pleased to welcome these two new schools to the Thompson Island family. Mather Principal Emily Cox and Holland Principal Jeichael Henderson seemed equally pleased with our new partnership.

After watching Program Director Alex Chu’s presentation, students at the Holland and Mather were super enthusiastic about coming to Thompson Island in the summer. Students peppered Alex with questions about the island, the boat ride, the food in the dining hall and if their whole family could come!

Summer Connections students and parents on Thompson Island

We also held parent orientation nights at all of the schools. Parents were briefed on all of our plans and precautions for ensuring that their children have a safe, fun and enriching five- week summer experience on Thompson Island. We talked about how we blend academics, English language arts, math, and science with environmental exploration and character-building activities. And we explained how we include Boston Public Schools (BPS) teachers, Thompson Island Outward Bound instructors and National Park Service rangers to offer a truly unique and fun experience for students.

During these same busy few weeks, we also visited the Young Achievers K-8 science and math school in Mattapan. Young Achievers 5th grade students participate in our 1-Day Harbor Connections field expeditions and 7th graders participate in our overnight Environmental Connections program.

Young Achievers has clearly demonstrated their commitment to experiential education and out of school time (OST) and their Principal, Virginia Chalmers, has instituted an expeditionary learning curriculum across all grade levels that include a heavy dose of hands-on field expeditions.

Environmental Connections students reconstructing rodent skeletons on Thompson Island

Based upon feedback from the Young Achievers and other partner schools, we expanded the length of the Environmental Connections program to a 3-day, 2-night experience on Thompson Island. The extended program time will enable further in-depth field studies and character-building activities and will, therefore, have a greater impact back in the classroom. Young Achiever’s 7th grade science teacher, Kris Grymonpre, plans to support his entire “water curriculum” (an important component of 7th grade curriculum in BPS) based upon his students’ experience on Thompson Island.

Young Achievers committed partnership with Thompson Island made the school the perfect location to host two Thompson Island events last week. First, Principal Chalmers, along with the school’s experiential education director, 7th grade science teacher, and four 7th grade students, hosted a contingent of Thompson Island donors. The school representatives and students gave members of the philanthropic community an overview of the school’s focus on experiential education, how important their partnership with Thompson Island is to them, and how impactful Thompson Island experiences are for the students.

We also hosted a Thompson Island Board of Trustees meeting that day right in the 7th grade science lab! Board Members received that same authentic glimpse as the earlier Thompson Island visitors into the life of a Boston public school and could really FEEL the benefit of all of their efforts in stewarding Thompson Island Outward Bound and directing its mission and programs.

A Connections student working on a map of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area.

As this blog is being written, Thompson Island instructors and National Park rangers are now visiting the Murphy K-8 School in Dorchester and delivering classroom presentations filled with interactive activities designed to prepare students for their field expeditions. Later in March, Boston public school students from the Perkins Elementary, Hale Elementary, Edwards Middle, and the Horace Mann School for the Deaf will all participate in Harbor Connections.

Whether Harbor Connections, Environmental Connections, or Summer Connections, Thompson Island’s philanthropically funded, curriculum-based programs are all cranking into gear. In 2012, the Connections program will serve more than 4,000 students that are most at-risk and most in-need.

For now, Thompson Island’s season for being “in the schools” is in full swing. But as Mother Nature smiles upon us with a stretch of unseasonably warm weather, it is apparent that the next phase of Thompson Island programs, “on the islands,” will soon be upon us.

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As we prepare for 2012, we are in the process of improving and enhancing our programs based upon all of the feedback we received in 2011. From evaluations, surveys and teacher interviews we have gleaned insight and received input that we are directly incorporating into our programs in order to best serve students and teachers.

Arthur Pearson recently distributed his President’s Winter Update to many of our stakeholders in which he details some of the evaluation data received by our Connections Program in 2011. Concurrently he distributed a white paper entitled “Evidence of Success: Using the Outdoors to Improve Academics and Character Development for Boston’s Young People.” Arthur has agreed to be our guest blogger and below we have included excerpts from his update. Photos are also included from “Evidence of Success.”

To request a copy of the “Evidence of Success” report, please click here.

-Paul Lamoureux, Vice President, Programs

Thursday, February 2, 2012
By: Arthur N. Pearson, President and CEO

While Thompson Island hibernates in winter silence, we have great news to share about the impact we are having on Boston’s young people. Through independent evaluation, we have crossed an important threshold in demonstrating strong evidence of success in improving academic skills and developing character.

In 2011 the National Institute on Out-of-School Time completed a second year of independently funded evaluation which included Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center. In both years our students showed 2 to 3 times the improvement in character-related skills compared to their peers in equivalent programs across Boston and Massachusetts. This past summer the Institute also evaluated gains in Mathematics and English Language Arts and in these skills our students again showed 2 to 3 times the improvement compared to local and statewide benchmarks.

Furthermore, a separate independent evaluation provided insight into how we generate those striking results. In 2011 the RAND Corporation utilized a rigorous observational protocol to score the quality of dozens of hands-on learning sessions at Thompson Island. From insect collection to challenge course events, these sessions are the experiential building blocks of all our programs, whether a one-day science exploration, overnight team building retreat, 12-day sailing expedition, or five-week summer learning program.

Thompson Island earned the highest quality score of all seven program sites observed by RAND in Boston. Our students’ success is not by coincidence. It is by consistent investment in program design, curriculum development, staff training, evaluation and investment in the extraordinary outdoor classroom that is Thompson Island.

Our mission is to create opportunities that raise young people’s aspirations and teach the skills they need to achieve them is more relevant than ever. These are opportunities that all parents want for their children. These are opportunities that researchers, policy makers and educators know are essential to closing the pervasive achievement gap that burdens those students who are most at risk and most in need—the highest priority of public education for more than a decade.

This past August, Massachusetts Secretary of Education Paul Reville visited Thompson Island to observe our program. His remarks put our work in perspective:

“Six hours a day, 180 days a year just isn’t going to be enough to close the achievement gap. It’s a failing strategy. The idea that schooling alone will solve the problem is too narrow a conception… Those of us who have the advantage of privilege in our life, this is what we do for our own children… we should want for all children what we want for our own children.”

It won’t be long before the frozen salt marshes thaw and we again hear the excitement of young people in search of their first encounter with hermit crabs… or in kayaks and sailing boats seeking new horizons of adventure and challenge… all of them discovering themselves along the way. And, as Secretary Reville agrees, it is these special experiences, in settings filled with wonder and amazement, which will create lasting learning moments and memories… and is ultimately what we want for all of our children.

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An amazing amount of work is necessary to manage Thompson Island, an island operation that supported nearly 28,000 visitors in 2011. Buildings and infrastructure spanning two centuries, antiquated electrical and water systems, 204 acres of grounds and trails, motor vessels to ferry passengers back and forth, motorized chippers, tractors and carts, food storage and preparation facilities, campsite shelters and sailing vessels all need to be continuously inspected, repaired and maintained at high-levels of functionality. What’s more, everything that is used or consumed on the island must come over on the ferry in a constant “food-on, garbage-off” system!

It could not be done without the yeomen’s job performed by the Operations department. To honor all this hard work, I’ve asked Director of Operations, Bill Dowd, to be this month’s guest blogger. Please read on to see a glimpse of his “state of the island.” On behalf of the entire organization, I’d like to thank our Operations colleagues for all they do.

– Paul Lamoureux, Program Director

Thursday, November 10, 2011

By: Bill Dowd, Director of Operations

The last 85 6th grade students from the Needham High Rock School have departed and that means we finally have a second to take a deep breath. I can now take this opportunity to share where we stand, what we’ve done, and where we’re heading because there is no “offseason” for island operations.

Members of the Operations, Events, Kitchen and Programs staff enjoy 2011's final hot meal together.

We had our final hot meal of the 2011 season on November 4th. Those of us staying to wrap things up and start the winter season enjoyed the last of Chef Richie Deas’ leftovers.

We completed this season in great stead as all of the good work done last year stood up to the wear and tear of 28,000 visitors in 2011. Improvements made over the season included the renewal of rest rooms in the Hughes Classroom building, hot water heaters in Hughes and the Gardner Classroom building, new floor coverings and equipment in the Adams guesthouse bathrooms.

Through a grant from the Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundation, the gymnasium roof was repaired and a covering installed that should last 15 years. This winter we will complete the gym project by repairing the small area of the parquet floor damaged by earlier rainwater.

The kitchen made it through once again without incident, directly attributable to the preventative maintenance program.

Based upon the quadrupling of the Summer Connections program and the resulting increase in daily diners, we conducted a study of our freezer and walk-in capacities. The results led to our rental of a wheeled storage freezer for the duration of the summer. This solution proved successful and will be repeated next year.

We conducted some repair work on the grill units used at the event sites and more will be conducted in the offseason. In addition, I am implementing a grill replacement program as most are 10-year-old units and have done their duty.

Due to Hurricane Irene, our biggest loss this year was the 40 x 60 foot pavilion tent and brand new canopy used at the large event site. The hurricane simply lifted it up, tossed it aside and smashed it to pieces. We immediately rented a similar unit that was installed within six days and resulted in no lost revenue. We are presently working through the insurance process for the replacement.

A collaboration between the operations staff, youth jobs program students from Green Corps and Island Ambassadors, and three groups of corporate volunteers (spearheaded by the leadership of a large group from IBM) helped to create the new outdoor Family Learning Center which was opened at the original farm house site in early August.

The Ambassadors also created the island’s first sculpture debuting “Hands” representing the hands-on learning that has occurred on Thompson Island for more than 175 years. The garden, decks, and climbing area, as well as a few flourishes such as decorative flowering trees, form the basis of a continuing project that will grow each year.

This fall we completed repair work and completely painted all of the outbuildings on the island including the sheds for the Alpine Tower and Low Ropes areas, as well as the events and programs storage sheds in the Hollow. We also managed to get a coat of paint on the staff housing in the Duplex, utilizing another gang of corporate volunteers.

The re-vegetation plan began this summer by planting 18 oak, four apple, three pear trees, and 40 hemlock shrubs. The process will create shaded areas and replace those trees that have been damaged or are in danger of toppling from old age.

This year we were also inspected by the National Park Service to ensure our compliance with the Conservation Restriction. We passed with flying colors and over the winter will improve the visual cues that mark the boundaries between conservation and non-conservation land to better determine the lines of demarcation when everything is in bloom.

Corporate volunteers using chipper

After a yearlong search we are welcoming a new member to our Operations Team: Tom Taylor is the new Manager, Facilities and Grounds. Tom has been part of the TIOBEC family for the past three years working both for the events department and in the programs department as an instructor with Green Corps and Connections. Prior to that he spent five years as Project Manager and Project Estimator for Suffolk Construction. His attention to detail and his understanding of our clients will make him a great addition to the operations department and as a liaison to other departments.

MVOB & Queen Elizabeth II as seen in the Boston Globe, September 2011

The waterfront also fared well this summer. The Motor Vessel Outward Bound (MVOB) carried more people, traversed more miles, and visited more islands than any other year in my tenure. In addition, Captain Nate Puritz utilized every vessel in the harbor, no matter how big or small, to create a seamless “bridge to the islands” for the students we serve. The Motor Vessel Invictus is now in Gloucester having gearing repairs and she will return in a week to serve as our winter transport.

This year we reassessed stability for the MVOB and pulling boats due to changes in allowable weights for passengers. The US Coast Guard raised the weight from the original design of 165 lbs per passenger to 185 lbs per passenger. The MVOB was designed at 165lbs and with the new weight requirements in place, it will reduce our passenger capacity from 149 to 132, a fairly substantial loss.

Based upon the new weight guidelines and the increased traffic of Connections students, the need for a second boat (or another boat) is becoming readily apparent. During the winter we will negotiate the purchase of a new float to replace our current float, which has been on loan from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). The DCR is re-appropriating this float for use elsewhere in the Harbor Islands.

Winter projects include painting the dorms, and quite a bit of plumbing and porcelain work will bring long forgotten bathrooms back online, and office space will be refreshed. In addition, the dormant teacher’s lounge in the Hughes classroom building will be transformed into another classroom for Summer Connections to accommodate continued expansion of the program. Outside work will continue as weather permits, and some trees must come down and the chipper will be in full swing.

All in all it will be a busy winter for Operations and, as we have less than 100 working days until we reopen, I had better wrap this up and get back to work!

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October 3, 2011

By: Paul Lamoureux, Program Director

Hand sculpture in progress

Complete hand

Perhaps their most visible work project is the “Hands” on the east facing meadow in the middle of the island. Two massive 20 foot “sculptures” in the shape of large hands signify the legacy of Hands-on learning on Thompson Island and, for me, showcase how creative and talented our students and staff are. The hands were cleverly constructed from frames built of medium-sized tree branches and creatively woven with the invasive species Oriental Bittersweet and Phragmites. The hands can be seen from a good distance, either over land or water, and are sure to instigate a conversation about the good work done on Thompson Island.

Green Corps clearing trails

The Green Corps and Island Ambassador youth jobs program are made possible through a partnership with the National
Park Service.

Green Corps annually employs 25 high school students from Boston and their assignments focus on garden, trail, and facilities maintenance, including developing a composting and recycling program for Thompson Island. Youth also participate in life and work skills development workshops and are provided opportunities for peer leadership and mentoring development for other TIOBEC youth programs.

Island Ambassadors in the community

The Island Ambassadors program employs 15 High School students from Greater Boston whose focus is on park visitor services, public outreach, citizen science, and career exploration in the Boston Harbor Islands National Park area. A fundamental aspect of this program is that Island Ambassadors are protectors, providers, and caretakers of the park. Youth are trained to develop leadership skills and educate their communities about the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area.

Youth jobs workshop

Both of these jobs programs are designed to develop life skills, workforce readiness, and environmental stewardship. The youth experience hot, buggy conditions clearing trails, monitoring invasive species, and constructing public use features on the beautiful Harbor Islands, all while building teamwork, having a blast, and learning job skills. In addition, youth are exposed to career paths with Outward Bound, the National Park Service, and other “green collar” careers.

Clam seeding project

One of my most memorable experiences with Green Corps and Island Ambassadors this summer stemmed from the soft-shell clam seeding project conducted with the support of the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF). Green Corps and Island Ambassadors acted as island hosts and teamed up with DMF scientists to lead a group of nearly 100 volunteers in a large project to seed the tidal flats east of Thompson with about 100,000 soft shell clams.

Seeding clam beds

After equipping volunteers with marsh boots and rakes, numerous marked plots were prepared, raked and seeded with 20,000 1/4 inch seedlings, then covered with protective netting. Volunteers included representatives from the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Mayor’s Office, U Mass Boston and Salem State Marine Science faculty and students, the National Park Service volunteer program and youth from the Mystic River and Hyde Park Green Teams, as well as Save the Harbor/Save the Bay. I was proud of our youth as they led the large group in logistically and physically challenging work that ultimately resulted in great satisfaction over an important stewardship project. This project highlighted both the continued improvements in Boston Harbor water quality and how teamwork can produce both personal and ecological benefits. The project also provides a long-term learning and stewardship opportunity for youth in Thompson Island programs.

North end trail

This theme of stewardship, learning, and the benefit of teamwork was present all summer long as Green Corps and Island Ambassadors cleared or created new trails on Thompson Island and other Boston Harbor Islands. Two new trails on Thompson will be particularly well utilized. The first, on the northern end of the island, was created in partnership with another National Park Service youth group called Branching Out that specializes in arborism. The youth groups created a beautiful new trail that allows groups easy access to the shoreline on the north end of the island. The previous shore trail had eroded into the sea during winter storms last year. Access to the beach is important for the geology class lessons that highlight the erosion on the north end of the island. Geology lessons at this site are particularly memorable to students when they see how massive trees have fallen into the sea from 40 foot, eroding cliffs. Also on the north end shoreline is wonderful learning area for tide pool ecosystem studies. Without this new trail, students would not have access to these fantastic place-based learning opportunities.

Kettle hole trail

Another trail that is equally important, from a geological point of view, is the new “kettle hole” trail on the island’s west side near the weather station. This new trail was blazed through an amazing amount of brush in order to provide access to another of the island’s amazing geologic features: it’s kettle hole. A kettle hole is created when a chunk of glacier breaks off as the glaciers recede and sits and melts over many years, carving out a deep depression in the land with melt water. Now, with the trail down into the Kettle Hole, and a newly built wooden debrief circle within, students can actually sit where a part of a glacier sat and melted thousands of years ago. Sitting in a hidden depression, surrounded by woods, 20 feet below ground, is an extremely powerful way to learn by “experiencing” geologic forces.

A final example, however, of the power of these youth, was in their roles as mentors. For the younger middle and elementary age students in our summer learning program, the Green Corps and Island Ambassador youth acted as powerful role models and mentors. Time was dedicated during summer learning for the older youth to lead the younger groups in conversations and activities. I consistently observed how the younger kids looked up to them and wanted to follow their example. The wide-eyed looks of respect and admiration from the younger students towards their mentors said it all. Undoubtedly, the relationship between both groups served to make both programs stronger.

Green Corps mentoring

Green Corps mentoring

To all the Green Corp and Island Ambassadors youth that participated this year, I say thank you for your hard work and dedication. For those that are in their final year with us, I look forward to seeing your applications for instructor intern positions next summer! Wherever you go from here, however, know that you have left a lasting impression on Thompson and other islands, with visitors to the park, with all of the Thompson and park staff, and with our summer learning students. An impressive legacy indeed! We wish you the very best success wherever your “trail” leads from here.

2011 Green Corps

2011 Island Ambassadors

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August 10, 2011

By: Paul Lamoureux, Program Director

Academics and enrichment: two promises that describe a powerful Summer Learning experience for 75 6th and 7th grade students from the Orchard Gardens K-8 School in Roxbury.

They’ve just graduated from the first session of summer programming on Thompson Island and 200 students, teachers, park rangers, and family members are departing the Island in a bittersweet farewell. It’s dawning on the students that their incredible experience over the last five weeks has just ended. It is our fervent hope that they go back to their school better equipped for the academic rigors of the school year and as leaders of their school community. Certainly bonds among their peers and their teachers have been greatly strengthened through their common experiences.

The Summer Learning program has been packed with activities that served to prevent summer learning loss and give the students a strong head start on the upcoming school year curriculum. The key to these academically oriented experiences is they are place-based and hands-on, designed to be memorable and therefore lead to retention of the material.

When I say place-based, I mean on the beach collecting and sorting specimens (creatures, shells, plants, etc.) and recording, graphing, and analyzing the data. A lot more memorable perhaps when it is say, hermit crabs or sea glass on a Thompson Island beach rather than book-based activities in a classroom. Perhaps the “place” in place-based is the meadow, among waist high grass, where insect collection and identification occurs. Are the insects pollinators or decomposers? Or the “place” could be at the mouth of the recently restored salt marsh, where students collect water samples and test and record salinity levels. Or perhaps we are in the pristine salt marsh, removing traps that are filled with mummachogs, or Atlantic silversides or three-spined sticklebacks. (We don’t merely call them minnows in this program!)

There are so many learning opportunities on Thompson Island and so many wonderful places and habitats on the island to solidify this learning. In order to best utilize all of these place-based learning options, there needed to be significant collaboration among all of the partners in these students’ experience. Teachers from the participating school, Thompson Island instructors, and National Park Rangers jointly deliver the Summer Learning Program on Thompson Island. Senior program staff from Thompson Island guide teachers, instructors, and Rangers in utilizing each person’s talents in academics and enrichment to blend a memorable experience for the students. An experience so engaging and interesting, that students bristle at the thought that this is actually “summer school.”

Not to worry students, the Summer Learning Program on Thompson Island is not like any summer school that most people are familiar with. After arriving on Thompson Island in the morning, all students “circle-up” with teachers, rangers, and instructors and a daily check-in occurs. Then, the students head off with teachers and instructors for teacher-led, place-based learning opportunities throughout the 200-acre island.

After lunch, while teachers planned the following days activities, students either embark upon challenge-based activities with Thompson Island instructors or environmental-based activities with National Park Rangers. Again, these activities happen throughout the entire island, whether on low or high ropes courses, orienteering areas or in meadows, fields, beaches, forests, or marshes.

Students were constantly outside, immersed in nature, immersed in place-based learning and immersed in challenge-based activities. They were actively engaged in their learning. They were truly challenged; physically; mentally; and emotionally. They learned to work effectively, independently, and as a team. Activities were most often a blend between academics and enrichment, and students were expected to work together to achieve an outcome.

All in all, the entire experience was truly a partnership in student learning. Everyone was engaged on a daily basis. All were part of the Thompson Island community. Everybody grew from the experience. This was abundantly clear at the student’s graduation experience. Through the student “trade show” where they demonstrated examples of their learning, through the images in the slide show and through remarks expressed by all present, it was clear what an impactful five weeks it had been.

I want to thank all of the students and staff from Orchard Gardens, the National Park Service, Citizen Schools, and Thompson Island for all working so hard, during a long hot summer to make the experience so wonderful for these 75 students.

Next up: our second Summer Learning session for 75 4th graders. All of our partners stand ready to deliver on the promise of Academics and Enrichment for another powerful summer learning experience for Boston’s urban youth.

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July 7, 2011

By: Paul Lamoureux, Program Director

Student and parent orientation with Course Director Will Carlson

All Thompson Island Outward Bound expeditions are based upon the Outward Bound Pillars of Compassion, Service, Physical Fitness, Self-Reliance and Craftsmanship. Unique to Thompson Island’s CWC and Passages courses are additional instructional objectives that address issues of early adolescence. Course curriculum addresses Courage, Responsibility and Emotional Freedom, as well as Finding One’s Voice (for CWC) and Positive Masculinity (for Passages).

For the early part of course, all three kayaking crews are working to establish roles, responsibilities, course structure and guidelines. Much of the time during the initial days on course is focused upon safety training and teaching students the important skills necessary for kayak “pods” to travel through the waterways of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area.

Gear safety check

"Wet exit" practice

Assisted rescue practice

After all students have become comfortable with this process, paddling skills are taught. These include the sweep, forward and back strokes as well as braces to stabilize a boat in choppy seas. It is also important that pairs of students learn to work together as all youth are assigned tandem kayaks.

Practice pod formations

When all of the preparatory safety and skills training is completed to the instructors’ satisfaction, the kayak crews prepare to depart Thompson Island.

Preparing for departure

Final route review before launch

The CWC instructors have been impressed with their crew’s drive, ambition and group cohesion thus far and have indicated that they seem to have a very high functioning group. Today, however, should be challenging as the day’s paddling itinerary is the most ambitious of the course and represents a 6 ½ mile paddle to Bumpkin Island.

On a 6 ½ mile paddle on the first day of group travel, I am sure that there will be significant hurdles for the young women. The challenges, which are an integral part of an Outward Bound course, will create significant discomfort for many. The true test will be how individuals within the group deal with (and learn from) the day’s challenges. As I see CWC depart Thompson Island, I wish I could be a fly on the wall for their evening debrief. I can picture them sitting in a circle in the dark with their tents pitched behind them, on the remote wilderness of Bumpkin Island, talking about the day’s issues and challenges.

Heading to Bumpkin Island

After all, this is not simply a kayaking trip. This is an Outward Bound expedition and inherently an Inward Journey…one of self-discovery and transformation.

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June 7, 2011

By: Paul Lamoureux, Program Director

BPS Superintendent Dr. Carol Johnson visits with Connections students

It seems I’ve just said goodbye to 60 6th grade students from the Rogers Middle School in Hyde Park and Steve Greene, their fantastic science teacher.  Today, however, Thompson Island is filled with 6th grade students from the Mildred Avenue School in Mattapan. It is the last day of May, and the weather is beautiful for the 60 new students who are on Thompson Island for the first day of their Environmental Connections expedition.  The day is even more special because I’ve just finished hosting a visit by Boston Public School’s Superintendent, Dr. Carol R. Johnson.  Dr. Johnson, an impressive woman, came to Thompson Island to see what all the excitement was about, and also to interact with the students, something she clearly enjoys.

Learning to navigate

At each of these locations, National Park Rangers and Thompson Island curriculum specialists lead students through place-based activities that included conducting experiments, collecting data, performing analysis and thinking critically.

Wind and weather experiments

Recording data from water samples

Team building

Active learning

Ropes Course

Team building

Science experiments

Team flag

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April 28, 2011

By: Paul Lamoureux, Program Director

Gala attendees participate in hands-on activities led by students.

Boston's Island Classroom.

It was heartening to hear from the new Orchard Gardens principal, Andrew Bott, as well as from an award-winning science teacher, Erin Dukeshire, about how important Thompson Island experiences have been for their students. They discussed how Thompson Island program curriculum has been integrated into classroom curriculum and has helped jump-start learning. Thompson Island, they said, has also helped change the culture at the school and has created strong bonds, both among students and teachers, as well as among peers. Thompson Island program alumni are now student leaders at the school and are pivotal in aiding the school’s “turnaround” process.

Thompson Island collages in the Orchard Gardens foyer.

I’m reminded that the Thompson Island experience is so rich and has so many different aspects that you are never sure which one will be the most impactful. Will it be the ferry ride to Thompson Island? The vast majority of Boston inner city youth have never been on a boat before. Will it be camping in the fields or sleeping in a dorm room that feels a little bit like you’re in college? Will it be getting stuck in the salt marsh mud or climbing the Alpine Tower? Could it possibly be the Nitro swing or will it be catching and identifying insects in the meadow? Tide pooling or beachcombing? Catching minnows or eating the awesome food in the dining hall perhaps? The list goes on and on. What is undeniable, however, is the effect, the glow, the impact. I could talk about the fantastic evaluation results, both academically and developmentally, but not here, not today. Today, I’ll just glow myself and bask in the positive feelings that Thompson Island experiences generate.

Thompson Island's ferry brings smiles to students and visitors.

Patrick Chung of the NE Patriots at the Thompson Island gala.

I also want to thank the corporate and student volunteers who worked at the Gala. We couldn’t have done it without you. But mainly, the youth who stood up on stage, in front of more than five hundred well dressed, successful adults and bravely and articulately spoke about their Thompson Island experiences. After seeing their poise and hearing them speak, I understand what Principal Bott means about a new culture emerging at Orchard Gardens fed by student leaders from Thompson Island programs.

Summer Learning students with team flag.

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March 18, 2011

By: Paul Lamoureux, Program Director

As the snow finally melts and Spring rapidly approaches, the entire organization at Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center is kicking into high gear. Pre-expedition, preparatory classroom sessions for the Connections program are occurring in middle schools throughout Boston and surrounding communities. The operations department continues to work tirelessly preparing the island and its facilities. The development department is humming with activity preparing for the Annual Gala on April 14 at the Seaport Hotel, a huge event that seems to grow in size and donor generosity every year.

In the midst of all this activity, the waterfront department’s work on our marine vessels signals, for me, the onset of Spring more than any other sight. With an island operation, it is absolutely crucial that we have fully operational motor vessels to move staff, equipment, food and waste to and from Thompson Island. Our motor vessels are also crucial for transporting students and clients to and from other Boston Harbor Islands for various programs, events and projects. Further, our motor vessels are used for resupply, as well as to transport staff and students to and from our sailing and kayaking expeditions.

Our marine fleet includes the 65-foot, 149-passenger Motor Vessel Outward Bound (MVOB), the 30-foot Invictus, a reliable workboat that is also capable of carrying cargo and passengers, and a 19-foot, outboard-powered Carolina skiff for nimble, light duty. Our expedition vessels include six, 30-foot sailing vessels referred to as “pulling boats,” and twenty, 19-foot sea kayaks.

As this blog is being written, word has just been received that the backbone of our island operation, the MVOB, has just received United States Coast Guard approval, following an exhaustive hull survey that received no recommendations for improvement. This is the third consecutive year that she received a result that amounts to “passing with flying colors” and is a testament to the hard work and professionalism of our waterfront department. It won’t be too long now, before the MVOB makes her annual pilgrimage back to Thompson Island from her Gloucester marine yard dry dock where all of the off-season maintenance occurs.

Motor Vessel Outward Bound at the Thompson Island Pier

The workhorse of Thompson Island, the Invictus, is crucial to Island operations as well. She bears the brunt of the workload during the winter months, while the MVOB is being serviced in Gloucester. She is also crucial for all of the other jobs where a flexible workboat is necessary. The poem “Invictus,” by William Ernest Henley, is mounted on a plaque in her pilothouse serving as inspiration for generations of Thompson Island staff and students. This timeless poem ends with the powerful words, “I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.”

Pilgrim II at the Thompson Pier in the early 1900s

Invictus at the Thompson Island Pier, March 2011

Pilgrim III and IV at the Thompson Pier in the 1960s marking yet another transition in Island transport.

Pilgrim I (steam powered) leaving Thompson Island for the mainland in the late 1800s.

Throughout Thompson Island’s educational history of nearly 180 years, there have been numerous motor vessels (some steam powered) that have moved people and goods back and forth to the island. Vessels named Pilgrim I, II, III, IV and V served admirably for most of these years, navigating through New England storms and fog to keep the island operational and serving the youth of Boston.

The value to the island of fully operational motor vessels that serve passengers and “deliver the goods” is almost incalculable. In addition, however, sailing vessels for both recreational and educational purposes have played a significant role in the history of Thompson Island. During the Farm and Trade School era, sailing on the school’s schooners was often an earned privilege and a day of fun and recreation. This was a respite from working on numerous other island tasks, including maintenance and repair of her transport vessels.

Since Thompson Island became an Outward Bound center in 1988, the proud OB sailing tradition has been upheld. Sailing programs on our historic “pulling boats” hearken back to the nautical roots of Outward Bound in Britain in the 1940s. I am reminded of this tradition now as I see these vessels poised upon the beach. The melting of snow on Thompson Island marks the beginning of preparatory work on our pulling boat fleet. Laborious work will now begin in order to ensure that they pass Coast Guard inspection and are “ship-shape” for our Summer expeditions. No rest for the weary, as our waterfront department ends their tireless work on the MVOB and begins the project of pulling boat preparation.

Waterfont Director, Capt. Nate Puritz, Asst. Waterfront Director, Capt. Bob Connors, and Winter caretaker Sam Blodgett prepare to work on the fleet of Pulling Boats.

The tradition of working on Thompson Island vessels in this beachfront location is a long and proud one.
Circa 1920

For me, it’s official: the sight of pulling boats on the beach at Thompson Island marks the beginning of Spring. Regardless of the date on the calendar or whether Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, I now feel the imminent approach of the thousands of students and guests who will soon come to our island home. I am thankful that throughout the entire organization, we have a well-oiled machine of professionals in our various departments and board committees that are also tirelessly preparing the way for the coming season. I am heartened to see these dedicated professionals are perhaps even more “well-oiled” than the MVOB herself.

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