A post really doesn’t seem necessary today.  They say a picture is worth a thousand words and we have over 150 pictures and videos posted from Tuesday here.  These pictures tell the story much more eloquently than I ever could.  In addition to the usual morning activities, today was the one that many people look forward to the most.  This is because today is the day when everyone gets a chance to snorkel the amazing reef here.  First year students and families that accompany the trip get to go to John Pennekamp State park.  From there we had a choice of snorkeling or glass bottom boat.  The ride to the reef is about 7 miles offshore and the marine life at the reef is abundant and vibrant.  It is an amazing experience if it is your first time or your twentieth.

Advanced students had a different excursion.  Here is the description from Sydney Penner:

“The advanced students had a great opportunity to visit the Coral Restoration yesterday.  Here we learned about the unfortunate but rapid destruction of coral reefs. Not only are these reefs important for the tourism industry, but they also help to regulate wave action so the waters are less choppy. We were able to watch scuba divers outplant coral in a reef in order to hopefully bring it back to a thriving ecosystem. To me, this experience really stressed the importance of reducing our use of single use plastics as well as decrease our carbon dioxide emissions. This generation really is the last chance to save this planet and we need to be doing everything that we can so these beautiful habitats can be seen by the generations to come.”
-Sydney Penner