Tripp poses with a permit before quickly returning the fish to Gulf waters as his brother Jack looks on (photo by T.J.)
When parents ask their son what he wants to do for his 7th birthday, they might have a few possibilities in mind—perhaps a trip to a roller rink, or a pizza parlor, or maybe to see a movie. But for T.J. and Catherine from Kansas City, the answer from their son Tripp was as determined as it was unique: Tripp wanted to go back to Sanibel Sea School to learn about fish.
In a climate where kids are expected to try to avoid school on their birthday, we felt very honored to have Tripp and his little brother Jack decide to attend our fish class. The two brothers had already attended Sea School earlier in the week to learn about crabs—we took advantage of low tides associated with the new moon to check out the crabs at Bunche Beach, and were rewarded with the discovery of a really huge horseshoe crab in the wrack line. We were all thrilled to have the boys, along with their dad and grandfather, back for another ocean adventure.
On his birthday, Tripp was the most successful fisherman we’ve ever seen at Colony Beach. And it wasn’t just birthday luck—Tripp is a seining wizard. He kept the bottom of the seine net close to the sand to prevent fish from escaping, held the pole at the exact angle that best keeps the fish in the net, braved the waves to stand in the perfect spot. We caught pinfish and sardines, whole schools of tiny baitfish, two aggressive juvenile permits that swam indignantly around our bucket- probably around 30 fish in all. We got down low in the sand and peered into the see-through bucket, checking out and discussing the different advantages of all the diverse colors, fin shapes, lateral lines, and behaviors of our fish. Finally, we tipped the bucket over and watched our new friends swim free back into the Gulf of Mexico. No one wanted to leave the beach when it was time to go.
The seining dream team after a morning at the beach (Photo by T.J.)
For Tripp, going to the beach with his dad, grandfather, brother, and Sanibel Sea School was “the best birthday present ever” (this from a boy who was getting to go to Legoland the very next day). It doesn’t often seem to be the case, in the mind of a 7-year-old boy, that engaging in an educational course is considered as much fun as a trip to Legoland. But when education is coupled with adventures in nature, and the excitement is shared with family members and friends, it can lead to an experience as thrilling as any birthday present. Our advice to all parents is simple: wherever you are, however you can, take your kids out in nature. Don’t just buy them the newest gadget- give them the gift of the ocean (or the forest, or the park down the street). The way they respond might be surprising.