An environmental science class at Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School in Potomac Shores took part in the annual canoeing field trip supported by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Sept. 8.
The field trip started with a bus ride to Lake Mooney in Stafford County. The students were instructed on the proper use of the life jackets, paddles and the boats. Finally, the first canoes pushed out into the lake. It was a bright, sunny day with clouds interspersed throughout the sky: the perfect weather for a canoe ride. Using the oar as a rudder to steer the boat took some time to get used to but soon everybody was paddling out in the lake. The students saw many kinds of trees and animals, some they had discussed in class — sycamore trees and a great blue heron.
For lunch, the class pulled the canoes out of the water and took a well-earned break. As the sun was beating down on the students, the supervisors from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation gave the students their next task: to divide into groups and do some real-life field research such as testing the water pH levels, temperature and visibility. The students discovered that Lake Mooney is an overall well-balanced lake for species to thrive in.
Afterward, the fledgling field researchers paddled their canoes back into the lake and headed toward the boat dock. Between paddles being stolen, canoes nearly capsizing, and students drifting off course, the ride back was a little rough but much fun.
Once back at the boat dock, the students went fishing with a large net. Suited up with waders, the students tentatively walked into the water and followed the instructions from the supervisors. Once in the proper position, they dropped the net and quickly moved toward the bank of the lake to ensure the fish were scooped up by the net. Once on dry land again, the students moved the fish into buckets of water to better see their catch. Among many blue gills the students also found one young bass. After the fish were released back into the wild, it was time for the students to head back to their own natural habitat.
Overall, the students didn’t let wet clothes, sunburns and sore arms stop them from having an adventurous day of learning, spending time in nature, and making lasting memories.
