Dauphin Island Family Retreat (Science/History)

Dauphin Island Family Retreat – April 1 -3 , 2013
Day 1 – April 1
8:00 A.M  Students 6th -- 12th grade arrive at Discovery Hall
Discovery Hall Program Productive Plankton
Students will play games and collect plankton to be viewed under a microscope to learn of this extremely important part of the world's ecology.
*****This can be a wet or dry class so come prepared. Bring bathing suit or other clothes that can get wet, old tennis shoes that can get wet -- no sandals, and a towel.
Have your student be familiar with the following words so that they are more prepared for the class:
• Plankton
• Zooplankton
• Phytoplankton
• Autotroph
• Heterotroph
• Photosynthesis
8:30 A.M. Students K-5 arrive at Audubon Bird Sanctuary
You and your students will tour the Bird Sanctuary and learn the details of the birds, turtles, alligators and trees and plants of the island.
**You will want to bring binoculars everyday. But today is a must!
After the Bird Sanctuary tour you will go down to the beach and seine (a method of fishing). **We will need help from parents. Dress and prepare for the probability of getting wet. Bring old shoes and a towel. This is always educational and exciting. You never know what you may catch!
For more information on seine fishing go to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seine_fishing
http://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/entry/view/seine_fishing/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFUkyyAsNEM
12:00 P.M.Lunch at the cafeteria
1:00 P.M.
Students k-5   Touch and explore class at the estuarium
The program will begin with a lecture to teach the students about marine animals and conclude with students examining and touching many different preserved specimens.
Words you will want your students to know in advance:
• Invertebrate
• Vertebrate
• Phylum
• Adaptation

6-12th Grade    Marsh Trip
This program begins with a discussion of estuaries and their importance in the food chain. Then the students will be introduced to the salt marsh, a wetland habitat with both animal and plant life. The Discovery Hall bus will transport the group to a salt marsh where the students will learn about the life held within by dragging a siene net, sieve mudding and scooping up animals.
****** Your student will get wet. Wear old clothes and old tennis shoes that can be laced up as they will be walking in mud. Also be prepared with sun protection and a water bottle.
Words you will want your student to know in advance:
• Estuary
• Food web
• Detritus
Day 2 – April 2
Fort tours   Civil War historian Tim Kent will be the tour guide for both Fort Gaines and Fort Morgan. He will discuss:

• the construction of both forts and why they were constructed the way they were
• the history of the forts and why they were important to guarding Mobile
• the Battle of Mobile Bay
• the position of the USS Tecumseh and its demise
• the different ships built in Mobile

8:45 A.M. Arrive at Fort Gaines
9:00 A.M. Fort Gaines class begins with a Fort Tour. Fort Gaines is one of the most beautifully preserved forts in the south with incredible architectural design work.
The Fort tour will include:

• History of the Civil War from Fort Gaines
• How the soldiers lived
• The artillery used at the fort
• Blacksmith class
• Were there women at Fort Gaines? If so what was life like for them?
• Who were some of the interesting soldiers at Fort Gaines?
• Famous prisoners held at the fort

12:00 P.M. The group will walk up to the ferry and have lunch on the water as we travel across the bay to Fort Morgan. There will be a choice of turkey or ham Subway sandwiches, chips and drinks for lunch.
****Parents must supervise students on the ferry. Bring extra bread to feed the sea gulls, but please be extremely careful to make sure the birds do not get the plastic bags or wrappers and that they don't fall into the water. Plastic kills thousands or birds and sea turtles yearly.
1:45 P.M. Tour of Fort Morgan and museum
The fort tour will include:

• History of the Civil War from Fort Morgan
• Heroes of Fort Morgan

**The lens from the Sand Island Lighthouse is in the Fort Morgan Museum
5:00 P.M. Ferry Ride back to Dauphin Island
6:00 P.M. Dinner at the dorms
7:00 P.M. Free time **Parents must supervise their children at all times.**
9:45 P.M. Lights out
 
Day 3 April 3
9:00 A.M. Duke Cruise around Sand Island Lighthouse
"The Duke" is a 44 foot boat known as a Bonner. On it we will travel around the Sand Island Lighthouse and hear of the landmark's history. On the return trip we will drop a shrimp net and study the catch. In the past we have caught everything from shrimp, to flounder and even squid. Pelicans always follow the boat waiting on a treat. This is always a wonderful experience for the children and the adults.
Lunch will be on board "The Duke". You will have a choice of turkey or ham Subway sandwiches, chips and drinks for lunch on the boat.
1:00 P.M.  Arrive back at the marina
1:30 P.M. History presentation of Dauphin Island followed by a walking history tour of the island. History of Dauphin Island's early settlement to included Native American History of the area.
5:00 P.M. Dinner at dorms
6:30 P.M. Free Time
•Enjoy a walk on the beach, to the bird sanctuary, or to town or play volleyball or basketball on the courts outside.
***** Parents must supervise their children at all times. *****
9:45 P.M. Lights out

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This is a wonderful time of the year to be at the beach and Dauphin Island isn't just any beach. Dauphin Island is the best kept secret in the Southeast! The cost for all three days filled with activities with meals and lodging included is only:
$345.00 per person for the first 2 family members
$325.00 per person for the third or forth family members
$295.00 for additional family members
If you have children under school age, please contact us at ht101trips@gmail.com for more information.
The price covers the dorm room for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights as well as meals from Wednesday morning breakfast to lunch on Friday.
We will issue no refunds.
** A note to moms: I have been on many trips like this and have found the fact that meals are provided to be such a blessing. No preparing and packing, no cooking. Just show up.
Parents should attend class with their student. If you have a student in each age group please go with your younger student. We know your older students should know how to behave and if there is any kind of a problem we will bring them to you.
If you want to stay Friday night in order to go to the Fort Gaines Civil War event on Saturday, the lodging cost would be an additional $35.00 per night per person. This does not include dinner on Friday night or breakfast on Saturday morning. ***Please see the tab for Friday night lodging in order to pay for Friday night.
Be prepared to wear layered clothing. Bring gear in case it is needed.
Classes will be held regardless of weather, however, the itinerary is subject to change if weather conditions prevent classes as stated.
I agree to indemnify and hold harmless Historical Preservation LLC, its associates and affiliates for any costs or liabilities which may incur as a result of my family's participation in a Historical Truth 101 organized history trip. Your payment for the tour constitutes your acknowledgement and agreement to the above indemnity clause.
Please provide the following information to ht101trips@gmail.com:
Name of all family members attending
Mailing address
Email
Phone number
Each child's age and grade level
Allergies, if any, for each person
Please specify any special needs your family has. We will do our best to accommodate them.
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Teaching the next generation, Lest not they forget. 

 

Angela Broyles