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INCREDIBLE HOG ISLAND, MAINE; A TEACHER’S
REFLECTION
By Chris Stephan, Science Teacher, Avon Park Middle
School
It all started as a surreal experience. It wasn’t even a dream, it
was more like blessing from heaven. Sometime in April, the phone rang in
my science classroom at Avon Park Middle School. I was at the front of the
room teaching my students. My intern answered the phone, and I heard her
say “he’s teaching right now, can you call back in thirty minutes”? They
did. It was the Highlands County Audubon telling me I was awarded a
scholarship to go to the Audubon Hog Island Educators Camp on Hog Island,
Maine. I hadn’t even applied, and knew absolutely nothing about this, but
it was true.
The Hog Island Educators Camp was absolutely amazing. It was held July
13-19 at Hog Island, a 350- acre island off the coast of Maine. The island
is owned by the Maine Audubon Society. There were 38 teachers of all grade
levels, coming from several different states. Audubon fed us, housed us,
treated us like royalty, and most of all, educated us in so many areas of
science, especially in ecology and ornithology, which is the study of
birds.
The entire area of Muscongus Bay is dotted with islands. These islands
were molded and shaped by glaciers long ago. The soil is not thick, and it
is quite acidic. The vegetation there must be able to hold up to the
weather and the close influence of the ocean. The forests and meadows on
these islands are beautiful. Lobster fishing is the main occupation.
The bay has dozens of lobster boats on it from sunrise to sunset. The
lobsters are a main link in the food chain of the bay.
Hog Island is a skip and a jump from the mainland. The entire camp was
based there. The island is quite forested and has an abundant variety of
birds. The naturalists taught us a great deal about bird identification
and behavior. We also had lessons on populations, astronomy, insects, and
forestry. We even used Hog Island’s telescope to observe the night sky.
The bright full Moon was so beautiful reflecting on the water of Muscongus
Bay. We observed the rings on Saturn, and Jupiter with its Galilean moons.
I was able to point out several man made satellites crossing the sky. Most
of the teachers were from big city areas, so they had never seen this.
We also spent a good deal of time studying the inter-tidal water area,
the area that is covered with water at high tide, but almost dry at low
tide. A large seine net was used to remove organisms out of the water. We
found 2 types of jellyfish, green crab, small eels, several types of
snails, and lots of seaweed. The rocks just above this area were spotted
with beautiful yellow lichen. The rock shimmered with muscovite mica, and
quartzite. Areas of the rock were shaped into layers, but curved into
undulating shapes, a definite sign of metamorphism.
We spent an entire day on Harbor Island, 8 miles out from the coast. We
were taken there on Audubon’s own Puffin V boat. On the way to Harbor
Island, we passed close to East Egg Island. This is a rookery for puffins
and terns. Both of these species of birds have been in decline for the
past hundred or more years. Through the work of the Audubon scientists,
they have developed many unique ways to attract the birds back to the
island. The populations of the puffins and terns are now on the rise.
Once at Harbor Island, we were taken ashore by rowboat. We picnicked on
a gorgeous rocky shore. We then broke into groups and went on field trips.
We talked about the geology and metamorphic rocks that make up the island.
We identified many of the plants on the island. We ate wild Maine
blueberries, which we picked from bushes in the forest. We also ate
delicious wild red raspberries, currents, and gooseberries. We hiked to
the inner part of the island. By a complete surprise, I looked down and
happened to be standing on the metal benchmark hammered into the rock by
the US Geologic Survey. This benchmark was at the highest point on Harbor
Island.
The Hog Island staff put on a “Contra Dance”, for us. This is a
traditional New England barn dance. It was really fun dancing like a bunch
of country kids. The last night of the camp, they put on a big lobster
feast for us. Fresh lobster from Muscongus Bay; that’s a taste I’ll never
forget. We then had a closing event that was fun, yet moving. We had skits
and a CD movie was shown with photos from the entire week. We each
received a copy of the CD as a momento. The pictures included with this
article are from the CD. We even took up a “thanks offering” for the
staff, especially the young ones who do not make much money working there,
yet touched us with their knowledge. When I think of Hog Island, I will
always remember Seth, Heather, Eric, Bridgett, Puffin Pete, Captain
Anthony, Paul, Cathy, Kate, Sue, and many others who dedicate their lives
to teaching people about nature.
Another benefit from the week was getting to know 37 other teachers,
from many different states. We talked, laughed, and learned together. I
plan on keeping in touch with many of them. When I have a particularly
tough day at school, I will think of Sean, Nancy, Jessica, Matt, Suzanne,
Amanda, Jeff, and many others. I will remember that there are many
teachers working hard to educate our children. I just had the blessing of
meeting 37 of them!
I want to thank the people of the Highlands County Audubon for
sponsoring me for this wonderful week at Hog Island. Before April, I never
knew Hog Island existed. Now, it will be a special place in my heart. I
plan on using much that I learned in teaching my science students at Avon
Park Middle School.
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