White Shark Adventure and Essay Contest

Hi everyone:

The Indian Point Young Naturalist Club is very excited for the opportunity to join the OCEARCH team on Monday September 30^th and again on Friday, October 4^th as they attempt to catch and tag White Sharks from their ship M/V OCEARCH off Lunenburg Harbour.  OCEARCH help scientists collect previously unattainable data in about white sharks. 


The I.P.Y.N.C can take children ages 10 and above.  Three children on September 30^th and two on October 4^th.  We’re sure, even being a school day, that many will want to join this once in a lifetime adventure! 


This is an exciting and unique invitation for the I.P.Y.N.C, however, only 5 spots are available.  To be fair in awarding a chance to see a giant White Shark, there will be an essay contest.  Essays will be judged by OCEARCH founder and expedition leader Chris Fischer and his team from the OCEARCH ship.

Essays will be developed by answering this:

Why does  it matter if millions of sharks are killed each year?

The essay needs be a minimum of:

-         200 words for children 10 to 12 years of age.

-         300 words for children 12 to 15 years of age.

Please forward essays to Scott Pelton at this address as a PDF attachment.


Closing date for the contest is midnight on Sunday, September 23^rd. 

Winners will be informed by September 28^th  

Green Crab Totals for 2019

Camp 4 Bay Mystery Creature

The answer to this weeks Bay Mystery Creature is...

A ( Stinky ) Minke Whale!

Schedule for Friday August 23, 2019

Hi everyone:

Sadly we say goodbye to our 16th summer camp tomorrow but not without lots of fun making boats and an appearance of the legend, named Patrick :) Here's a look at Friday's schedule:

  - I.P.Y.N.C Staff

Clue 3 & 4 of Camp 4's Bay Mystery Creature

Hi Campers:

Here are the last two clues of thsi weeks Bay Mystery Creature.


Clue 3: They are fast and agile swimmers. They can swim at the speed of 21 miles per hour and can dive 20 to 25 minutes, but they usually spend 10 to 12 minutes under the water before returning to the surface to breathe.

Clue 4: Their breath is known to be rather stinky which rhymes with the kind of creature they are.

Ok, the answer will be revealed just before our Budget Boat Race on Friday.  Good luck!

- IPYNC Staff

Schedule for Thursday, August 22nd, 2019

Hi everyone:

We had like to perfect morning and afternoon for our Stand up Paddle Boarding!  Tomorrow may be a little rainy but equally perfect for mud and slime sliding that we will be doing lots of tomorrow.  Here's a look at Thursday's schedule:

- IPYNC Staff

Schedule for Wednesday, August 21st, 2019

Hi everyone:

Here's a look at Wednesday's schedule and remember the SUP waiver, no waiver, now paddle boarding.

- The IPYNC Staff

Camp 4 Bay Mystery Creature Clue 1 & 2

Clue 1: They can be found in different oceans throughout the world, but they usually inhabit polar waters of the northern hemisphere. Their call is as loud as a plane taking off.



Clue 2: Babies are 9 feet long and has 1000 pounds at birth. Adults can be 24 feet long and way 28000 pounds. They are the smallest form of animal that has baleen plates that they use for feeding by filtering food out of the swallowing water.   


Keep your answers to yourself until Friday, just before the Budget Boat Race!

- I.P.Y.N.C Staff

Schedule for August 20th, 2019

Hi everyone:

We got off to a great start with lots of swimming and collecting crabs for our Green Crab Challenge today.  Tomorrow is going to be a hot and sunny day with even more swimming and to fuel ourselves, we all going to have mega big power bowls of food thanks to nutritionist Edie.  Here's a full look at Tuesday's schedule.   Remember that camp end at 4 PM tomorrow.  Ask Scott for details on the after camp activity.

- I.P.Y.N.C Staff

CORRECTION Schedule for Monday August 19th, 2019

Hi everyone:

Summer, as usual, has gone quickly but not before the exciting "Big Kids" Camp starting tomorrow.  Here's a look at Monday's schedule:

- I.P.Y.N.C Staff

Camp Mystery Creature Revealed!

Hi Campers:

Today we reveal this weeks "Bay Mystery Creature.  Lets review the four clues first then give your guesses.

Clue 1: They spend most of their lives in a head down and feet up position.

Clue 2: They begin life as free-swimming larvae. 

Clue 3: When the time comes to settle, the larvae "glue" their heads to hard surfaces, such as pilings, wharfs, ships, rocks or other hard-shelled animals.

Clue 4: When the tide is out, they close their trap doors to conserve moisture. Adults build their own fort—a cone-shaped limestone shell with a trap door in the ceiling.

This weeks Bay Mystery Creature is  . . .

Wait, here it comes .  .  .

What for it . . .

It a Barnacle!

Schedule For Friday August 9th, 2019 CORRECTED!

Hi everyone:

Get plenty of rest tonight because we are ending off BIG, with out Island Amazing Race!   Here's a look at the complete schedule for Friday:

- IPYNC Staff

Camp 3 Mystery Creature: Clue 3 and 4

Hi Campers:

Here are the last two clues to thsi weeks Bay Mystery Creature:

Clue 3: When the tide is out, they close their trap doors to conserve moisture.

Clue 4:  Adults build their own fort—a cone-shaped limestone shell with a trap door in the ceiling.

We will reveal the creature Friday.  Good luck!

- IPYNC Staff

Schedule for Thursday August 8th, 2019 Correction

Hi Everyone:

Here's the fun activities we have planned for Thursday!

 - IPYNC Staff

Tuesday August 6th,2019 Schedule UPDATED

Hi Everyone:

We got off to a great start with lots of sunshine, warm temps and lots of waves in the Bay. Here's a look at tomorrows schedule:

- IPYNC Staff

Camp 3 Bay Mystery Creature: CLue 1 and Clue 2

Hi Campers:

Each week we give 4 clues about a Bay Mystery Creature.  We will reveal our guesses just before our Island Amazing Race on Friday.  Keep your guesses a secret until then, however please feel free to use books, the internet or family and friends to help you solve this weeks Bay Mystery Creature.

Here are the first tow clues:

Clue 1: They spend most of their lives in a head down and feet up position.


Clue 2: They begin life as free-swimming larvae. When the time comes to settle, the larvae "glue" their heads to hard surfaces, such as pilings, wharfs, ships, rocks or other hard-shelled animals.

The final two clues will come Thursday. Good luck :)

-  IPYNC Staff

Monday August 5th, 2019 Schedule

Hi everyone:

Each evening of camp, we will be posting here the activity schedule.  Here's a look at Monday's Schedule:

 - IPYNC Staff

Camp 2 Mystery Creature revealed!

Hi everyone:

We are now going to revealed  this weeks Bay Mystery Creature.  First, let's review our for clues:

Clue 1: There are more than 30 different kinds of these creatures that live in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans for up to 25 yeas in “schools that can be 30 Kilometers long.

Clue 2: They can be found in deep waters during the fall and winter and close to the shore, during the spring and summer. They are meat eaters and only hunt during the day for small fish, plankton and shrimp.

Clue 3: They have a slender bluish green bodies with dark wavy stripes and silver on the bottom side and a tail that is shaped like fork. The dark wavy stripes on the upper part of the body are used as “schooling mark”. By looking at the stripes of the neighboring fish, each fish in the group can line itself up with the rest of the school and change its swimming speed.

Clue 4: They have numerous natural enemies. Tunas, whales, dolphins, sea lions, sharks and humans often them.

Ok lets reveal this weeks Bay Mystery Creature...

Ok its coming.....

Here it comes!

This weeks bay Mystery Creatures is … wait for it....

An Atlantic Mackerel!

Schedule for Friday July 26, 2019

Hi everyone:

Another great day at camp!  Lots of free play, swimming and bug eating. A reminder to parents that we will be having a paint splatter party tomorrow and if the camper brings old cloths, they can participate.  Here's is a look at Friday's schedule:

- IPYNC Staff

Schedule for Thursday July 25, 2019

Hi everyone:

We had an exciting day today from counting noisy sheep to meeting TV Stars!  Here's a look at Thursday's schedule:

- IPYNC Staff

Camp 2 Bay Mystery Creature Clue 3 and 4

Hi everyone:

Only one more day left to we reveal thsi weeks Bay Mystery Creature.  Here are the final tow clues:


Clue 3: They have a slender bluish green bodies with dark wavy stripes and silver on the bottom side and a tail that is shaped like fork. The dark wavy stripes on the upper part of the body are used as “schooling mark”. By looking at the stripes of the neighboring fish, each fish in the group can line itself up with the rest of the school and change its swimming speed.


Clue 4: They have numerous natural enemies. Tunas, whales, dolphins, sea lions, sharks and humans often them.

Good luck!

- IPYNC Staff

Schedule for Wednesday July 24, 2019

Hi everyone:

The rain stop, the clouds parted  (almost) and it was a great day at camp!  Tomorrow is our field trip to Ross Farm and Oak Island.  Camp will be ending at 4 pm Wednesday in order to have our after camp special.  Please see Scott or a counsellor for details.  A parent or guardian must be present for the after camp special.  Please remember to bring a signed  bus waiver tomorrow. Here's a look at Wednesdays' schedule:

- IPYNC Staff

Schedule for Tuesday July 23, 2019

Hi everyone:

We had a great first day, lots of sun, saltwater and we started the camp Bugalows today.  Tomorrow we tie our camp t-shirt, a talk on eels and lots more swimming- perhaps in the rain!  Here's a look at our schedule for Tuesday:

- The IPYNC Staff

Schedule for Monday July 22, 2019

Hi everyone:

Tie dye, sharks and Barnacle Beer are all set for the exciting beginning to our 2nd camp of 2019.  Here's a look at the complete schedule for Monday:

  - The IPYNC Staff

Camp 2, 2019 Bay Mystery Creature Clue 1 and 2

Hi Campers:

Every week of camp we give clues a mystery creature found in St. Margaret's Bay.  The answer will be revealed on Friday after you make their guesses.  Keep you answers a secret until guessing time on Friday.  

Here are the first two clues of this weeks Mystery Creature:

Clue 1:  There are more than 30 different kinds of these creatures that live in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans for up to 25 yeas in “schools that can be 30 Kilometers long.

Clue 2: They can be found in deep waters during the fall and winter and close to the shore, during the spring and summer. They are meat eaters and only hunt during the day for small fish, plankton and shrimp.

Good luck in guessing the Mystery Creature!

- The I.P.Y.N.C Staff

The Bay's Mystery Creature Revealed for camp 1, 2019!

Hi Campers:

This weeks Bay Mystery Creature is . . .

wait for it . . .

here it comes . . .

A Sea Urchin!

 

Camp 1 Schedule for Friday, July 12, 2019

Hi everyone:

We had a very busy day Thursday!  Tomorrow we end off with more the same with our annual Friday Island Amazing Race. Teams of campers will go around an island close by completing different fun challenges.  We are also have a Paint Splatter Party.  Campers are asked to bring clothing that they don't mind splattering with paint. Don't forget to review the 4 clues of this weeks Bay Mystery Creature from earlier blog posts.  We will be revealing the Mystery Creature tomorrow before the Island Amazing Race.  Here's a look at Fridays schedule:

_ I.P.Y.N.C Staff

Camp 1. 2019 Myster Creature Clue 3 and 4

Hi Campers:

Have you figured out the Bay's Mystery Creature yet?  Here are the first two clues again:

1)  There are 200 these kinds of animals in the ocean around the world and can live up to 30 years.

2) Most are either black, brown, purple, red or green in color.

Now here are the final two clues for this weeks Mystery Creature:

3)  Their Mouth is equipped with five sharp teeth that can drill a hole in the rock.

4)  They have a roundish body cover in a large number of spines.

You have until Friday to figure what it is.  Good luck!

-I.P.Y.N.C Staff

Schedule for Thursday July 11, 2019 UPDATED

HI everyone:

The field trip was a great time ( minus being stuck on Hwy. 103 for 20 minutes).  Thursday we will have lots of hands-on learning about sharks, beach time, finishing up our Bugalows and lots more.  Here's a look at the complete Thursday's schedule of activities:

- I.P.Y.N.C Staff

Schedule for Wednesday, July 10th, 2019 UPDATED

Hi everyone:

Another fun in the Sun day at Camp!  We finished up decorating our tie dye t's, made cool things out of loose parts and did lots of swimming.  

Tomorrow is our field trip to Ross Farm and Oak Island.  Just a reminder about our field trip that we need the waivers signed and $10 bus fee by the time we leave. Also, a reminder that camp will be ending at 4 pm tomorrow.  There will be an after camp special event between 4 pm and 5 pm.  Please see Scott or another staff member for details. Here's a look at our schedule for Wednesday:

- I.P.Y.N.C Staff

Schedule for Tuesday July 9th, 2019

Hi everyone:

 A Fantastic start to the 2019 camps!  Lots of  sunny sky, swimming and tie dying and learning about sharks, How great is that!

Here's a look at tomorrows schedule of activities but just a reminder that on Wednesday is our field trip to Ross Farm and Oak Island.  The bus we have chartered holds only 16 of us, so we need about 10 more spots.  If you can help drive us, there wont be the $10/ camper fee to help for the bus and you'll have a great time to if you volunter :)

  - I.P.Y.N.C Staff

Schedule for Monday, July 8th, 2019

Hi everyone:

We start the 2019 camps off tomorrow with a perfect day in the sun with lots of fun activities. Here's a look at our schedule:

- The I.P.Y.N.C Staff

Camp 1 2019 Mystery Creature clue 1 and 2

Hi Campers!

Every week of camp we give clues a mystery creature found in St. Margaret's Bay.  The answer will be revealed on Friday after you make their guesses.  Keep you answers a secret until guessing time on Friday.  Here are the first two clues of this weeks Mystery Creature:

Clue 1: There are around 200 these kinds of animals in the ocean around the world 

Clue 2: They can live up to 30 years and are either black, brown, purple, red or green in color.

Good luck in guessing the Mystery Creature!

- The I.P.Y.N.C Staff

Reminder, The IPYNC will be at Chapters on Saturday

Hi everyone

Tomorrow Scott will be diving into St. Margaret's Bay in hopes in finding some interesting sea creatures to show off at Halifax's Chapters on Saturday. I'll be reliving my past life as a naturalist at the NS Museum of Natural History!

Seacreature Touch Tank at Chapters Saturday, June 30!

Hi everyone:

Please join camp owner Scott and Junior Counsellor Zoe at Chapters in Bayers Lake from 12 pm to 2 pm thsi coming Saturday.  You will meet, touch and learn fun facts about moon snail slime, alien dead man's fingers and many more sea creature found lurking in the Bay next to the camp.

Hope to sea you there!

- IPYNC Staff

2019 Seastar Times

Hi everyone:

We are happy to announce that the 16th edition of the camp newsletter has now been published! We are looking for 5 more campers, so please spread the word that we have a few spots left for camps that start now in less than a month!.  Here is the latest Seastar Times containing the camp activities and information in what is sure to be a fun summer on The Bay :)

- The I.P.Y.N.C Staff

Note: Click to enlarge each page below.

     

     

                                                                                                                                     

Camp Testimonials

Hi everyone:

We still have about 10 spots to fill in this summer camps, so we are now looking for new campers. Here are some testimonials from Campers, Parents and Staff about the fun we've had here for the past 15 summers on The Bay.    

The Indian Point Young Naturalist Club is a unique, one of a kind summer camp. Scott’s innovative and creative approach gives campers the opportunity to explore what nature has to offer while incorporating fun and lively summer games and activities”

- Karen Bolivar, Camp Counsellor in 2016

IPYNC has featured very prominently in my children's love and attachment to Nova Scotia and the sea. We live abroad but come home every summer in an attempt to maintain roots in Nova Scotia and provide for our children with a sense of belonging to this place. The highlight of each summer is always their week at IPYNC. They have been going to IPYNC for about 8 years now.  First, they attended as campers, then as junior councilors and counsellors and then as campers of the “Big Kids Camp”.

They have learned a great deal about the ocean and the creatures that inhabit it. They have learned conservation and stewardship and a love of the sea. And most importantly, they have just had ‘good clean fun’; something that I sometimes think is lacking in the modern world of a child these days.

IPYNC is a very special childhood experience, one my children will never forget, and that I am eternally grateful for.”

- Mary Shakespeare, parent of three campers who live in Dubai and summer in St. Margaret’s Bay

I like everything [about camp]!  I love all the stuff we do around the ocean like looking for crabs and lobsters.  But, I also really enjoy the laser tag, the bubble slide, and my favourite: the final scavenger hunt at Micou's Island.

-Will, age 10, camper for two summers

If I only do one thing this summer I want to go to Scott's camp.

- Lily, age 13, camper for four summers

I enjoyed swimming every day and the "Amazing Race" event.  It was an awesome week. 

-J.J, age 13, camper for three summers

I am so thrilled this jewel of a camp is available in our own ‘‘backyard’. My children love it, and I am amazed how much they learn about the nature. Scott is so knowledgeable and enthusiastic.  The children don’t even know how much they are learning because they are too busy having fun!

-Angela mother of two campers.

The 2019 Summer Camp Registratgion Has Begun!

Hi everyone:

We excited to announce that there are still a few spaces left for this summer's 16th annual summer camp.  Here are the dates for the two age groups of camps:

Camp 1: July 8th to 12th, 2019 for ages 5 to 12 years of age.

Camp 2: July 22nd to 26th, 2019 for ages 5 to 12 years of age.

Camp 3: August 5th to 9th, 2019 for ages 5 to 12 years of age.

Camp 4: August 19th to 23rd, 2019 for ages 12 to 15 years of age. 

Please contact Scott for more information on registration and the fun we'll be having this summer by email him at  indianptyoungnat@eastlink.ca .

- IPYNC Staff