Woo hoo! This is the life, and we are already deciding to give up on being landlubbers and take to the seas, travel the world. Meanwhile, as the adventure begins aboard Boundless with Captain Jeff and First Mate Janine, CELCers are having quite an extraordinary time!

Each day students perform jobs that enable them to learn to "run the boat". Today, Jenna served as Captain for the Day and provided us with data, including wind direction, weather conditions, barometric pressue, and our latitude and longitude in degrees, minutes and seconds. Henry, as First Mate, was responsible for starting the motor and checking the engine. Cole and Kyle on Deck Crew took care to raise and lower sails, lower anchor, and lower the dinghy. All students took turns steering the boat as we made our way from the start at Coan River to St. Clement's Island. These jobs will rotate throughout the week, and according to Cpt. Jeff, students will have it all down in a few days, enough to run Boundless on their own (for the most part!).

After swimming in the Potomac, going on a hunt for buried treasure on an uninhabited island, enjoying some R&R on deck in the sun, and devouring fine meals that we all helped to prepare, we will rest well tonight and look forward to the adventures of the days ahead. Please keep in touch as we add more photos along the way ...

Here are some impressions of the day from students:

"Today was phenomenal. We sailed and motored to an island. We are currently anchored off of the west side of the island. After we anchored, we took the dinghy to St. Clement's Island and "walked" around. When we got back onto the boat, we went swimming and climbed the anchor chain." - Henry

"Today was fun-filled with excitement. We got to drive and navigate the boat. Kyle and I put up the masts. It was very hard. Then we got to an island and had a treasure hunt for gold. Jenna and Kyle found the gold - and Henry and I helped them. Then we all had a fun time swimming." - Cole

"The highlight of the day for me was definitely climbing up the side of the anchor of Boundless and throwing out my new lure from Black Beauty." - Kyle

"The best part of my day was relaxing and tanning on the boat. Being captain was so much fun. I got us out of the hardest part - from the marina out into the channel. I can't wait for tomrrow! I am ready for dinner." - Jenna