Programs Blog

July 26, 2025

Throughout the day of bonding, students got to explore one of the beaches here in coastal Massachusetts, discussing topics surrounding bonding, exploration and independence. Students were able to further the connections they had previously formed and experience independence without PA’s, depending on their peers to work through issues such as unfamiliar location and gathering meals that would fit every SEASCape student. Throughout our visitation we observed the coastal fashion, gathered insights on the types of people that usually live here whilst simultaneously learning about the importance of sun protection and sticking together.

Although granted independence to go off in pairs, students generally stuck together, enjoying and further curating the bonds they created throughout their first experience. I myself found the setup of the towns to be incredibly interesting, as they were catered to tourism and yet we were able to explore other spots in the area of Oak Bluffs, and students were able to bond through physical activity including cartwheeling in a park and having conversations with students from other programs in order to foster new connections. Through the enjoyment of the area I found myself thinking more about the algae we had found in the water, and the passion to pursue marine biology. I would enjoy living somewhere incredibly coastal when I’m older; and in turn being able to pursue other marine studies and have a healthy work life balance between enjoying places, and getting to study them.

Orelia Cait Hankins