Why require Journals?
Some students and parents incorrectly assume that this is a pleasure trip — a bonus, a “pay off” for studying marine biology for several weeks in class. No, this is NOT a pleasure trip. We are merely transporting our classroom from piedmont North Carolina to the Florida Keys. Working on the Journal does take a considerable amount of time at Sea Camp. We make no apologies for this. Completing the Journal with the required number of pages of text and illustrations cements the knowledge students have learned in class and at Sea Camp in the labs. Having to complete two pages of text in lab write-ups for Monday and Tuesday guarantees that students will focus and pay attention when Sea Camp counselors are giving mini-lectures. This focus has become legendary for our group. The Sea Camp director and counselors say every year that the Hanes 7th grade students are one of the best-prepared and smartest groups they have ever seen. And, they pay the closest attention! Students have complained for
