Eastrn north Carolinais famous for its landmarks, barbecue, and easy way of life. Every Spring, Summer, and Fall the Eastern 4-H Center and its summer camp program brings in staff from both near and far. This spring, Rachel and Stephanie have served as program staff - They have done everything from challenge course facilitation, inventory & maintenance, to serving food at banquets. With a working life that busy, it's hard to find time to enjoy the bounties of the coast. Until this Saturday.
This Saturday, I will attempt to reward the hard work with a little Bucket List trip. Sure, they receive a pay check, but with little time to spend it, I have decided that it's my duty to help them squander their money, take cliche photographs, and to touch the Atlantic Ocean.
About two weeks ago, I was made aware of this Bucket List. On the list, the ladies included the following:
See a Black Bear (we can do that almost anytime)
See an Alligator (I have the inside track on these lizards)
Kayak the Sound (Anytime they please, no problem)
Touch the Atlantic (Easy!)
Ride a ferry (not as cool as they think it is...)
See the wild horses at Ocracoke (yep, I know where they feed 'em...)
See Mattamuskeet Lake (My favorite part of the list)
Go Crabbing (Easily arranged...)
There were others, too.
However, we'll depart early in the morning. I have given them the rules of the road. They are allowed 10 stops - we have to this hurriedly - 8 planned, and two unplanned. The trip will be fun...but I take a lot of pride in showing of the neighborhood, too.
This is not the first time a bucket trip has been conducted. Other seasonal staff have taken advantage of my willingness to showcase the coast. Additionally, we have taken "bear safaris" with summer staff, and even had pig pickin's...even the vegetarians on our staff liked to see the pig be cooked...
There are lots of ways to showcase the coast, even here at the Eastern 4-H Center. Obviously, our aquatics program is pretty awesome...we teach children how to kayak, canoe, fish, crab, and sometimes - sail.
I'm currently building new environmental education lesson plans to better illustrate the highlights of the coast. Programs on migratory birds, striped bass, hurricanes, and Atlantic Blue Crabs are the cornerstones of the program. I look forward to seeing them instructed for the first time...it'll be something different than what any other similar facility on the coast is currently doing. Creating unique and sustainable programming has always been on my bucket list...
What does your bucket list look like?
Enjoy the day...
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