[SEMCO] Summer Trip for Educators

[Sheri DeRosa]

AN INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN 2008 ISLAND ECOLOGY FIELD STUDY ON SAN 
SALVADOR ISLAND IN THE BAHAMAS

• WHO: K-12 EDUCATORS (SPOUSES OPTIONAL)
• WHEN: PROJECTED DATES ARE LATE JUNE TO EARLY JULY 2008.
• HOW MUCH: ESTIMATE = 1200.00 TO 1700.00 PER ADULT – INCLUDES CHARTER 
FLIGHT FROM FT. LAUDERDALE TO SAN SALVADOR ISLAND, ONE NIGHT HOTEL IN 
FT. LAUDERDALE, 7 DAYS ON THE ISLAND WITH A DOUBLE OCCUPANCY ROOM AND 
THREE MEALS A DAY.
• MORE INFO: READ THE FOLLOWING, VISIT GERACERESEARCHCENTRE.COM, OR 
EMAIL ME AT GRICE23 at COMCAST.NET

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Hi my name is Gloria Rice, I am currently teaching Biology and Marine 
Science at Carver High School. Within the past 11 years I have 
participated four times in an Island Ecology Field Study on San Salvador 
Island in the Bahamas. Three of the four times I was a “student” in a 
group of teachers. Last year, Michelle Littleton and I led a small group 
of students from my high school. This is an unbelievable experience. 
Unfortunately, we were unable to get the number of students I need to 
take another group this year. I am now looking to organize a group of 
teachers.


THE TRIP
The week includes a variety of activities such as snorkeling, diving (if 
certified), birding, hiking, and caving. Teachers of any age group or 
discipline will benefit. Samples of shells, coral, or sand may be 
brought back to your classroom. This island also has a historical value 
in that it is the first island in which Christopher Columbus landed. 
There are monuments and plantation ruins on the island. Most of our time 
is spent out in the field, usually in the water. The evenings involve 
socializing with the locals and/or meeting in the lab to discuss what we 
did that day and to plan the next day. This is a “relaxed” atmosphere, 
especially for teacher groups. I am looking into earning PDP’s for this 
trip. More information will come later. The physical requirements are of 
importance. You must be comfortable in the water. We do have access to 
snorkel vests to help out, but you should feel fairly confident in the 
water. We also do a lot of walking. If we choose to visit the local pub 
it is a 2 mile walk to get there. We are unable to use the campus 
vehicles after dark. This kind of stuff will be optional.


THE ISLAND
This is NOT a tourist island. This island is called a “family” island 
because mainly families live here and travel to the big islands during 
peak times to work. This has positive and negative impacts on your 
visit. Positive; very few people are on the island, you get to know to 
locals in a more accepting and friendly environment, the beaches we will 
be snorkeling from are empty, and no traffic, Negative; no major 
shopping venues, no restaurants, no hospital. You must do all of your 
buying in the states and if medical attention is needed the campus 
carries insurance to airlift you to Nassau.

THE CAMPUS
We stay at the Gerace Research Centre. This is a small campus on the 
northern side of the island. I encourage you to visit the website at 
geraceresearchcentre.com. where you can find pictures of the island as 
well as the campus. Accommodations are average. Teachers are housed in 
double occupancy rooms that share a bathroom with another room. Meals 
are served three times a day and the snack bar opens during the evening. 
We will be assigned a “lab” to meet in the evening. The bedrooms are not 
air conditioned but the lab is.

THE COST
The most expensive part of this trip is the charter flight from Fort 
Lauderdale to San Salvador. This runs about 500.00 rt. Your stay on 
campus is only about 60.00 a day which includes three meals – A BARGAIN. 
For teacher groups we usually don’t arrange your flight to Ft. 
Lauderdale but if it is highly requested it can be arranged. If we don’t 
arrange this flight the cost for the trip could range from 1200.00 to 
1500.00 per person. Once you are on the island there are very little 
things to spend your money on, maybe a t-shirt or coffee mug from the 
centre, books, and of course any alcoholic beverages.