It started out a cold and rainy morning but that didn’t deter the excitement of 21 students and 7 adults. After gathering everyone together and sorting through gear at we took an energized group on a ferry ride to Southworth. The chilly conditions couldn’t stop the students from playing on the bow of the ferry, acting like they were being blown all over the deck by the winds. It was a smiling group that loaded back in the vans for the drive to Penrose State Park. The skies were overcast, the grassy field to the shore was thick with mud but who cares, when you are wearing mud boots and are ready go clamming!

Our intrepid leader gave us a short lecture on tides, the local shellfish and the appropriate way to collect clams and oysters. We had a nice lunch while we were waiting for the tide to go out. When lunch was done we took a short hike through the forest to a prime clamming spot. Excitement abounded and students started raking and digging through the sand and rocks to find clams and oyster. Other items also appeared while we raked through the muck. Students found muscles, sand dollars, ghost shrimp and gooey ducks. Buckets started filling up as students got their maximum amounts of clams and oysters. Since it is important for oyster shells to remain at the beach for the next generation of oysters to grow on, the students learned the art of oyster shucking.

As the afternoon went on the skies started clearing. The sun like everyone’s smiles radiated for miles. After cleaning the mud off of everyone and posing for a group photo. We loaded the vans and had a nice sunny drive over the Tacoma Narrows, as we headed back to school. The students and adults had a great day and returned home with Ziploc bags full of fresh oysters and clams to share with family and friends.

Your friendly ICO volunteer,

Colleen Duran