Sea kayaking is one of the best ways to experience a coastal environment because kayaking allows you to explore waterways without harming the creatures that live in them. A well-designed sea kayak can readily track through calm waters or choppy seas; the longer, narrower craft handles more easily than its shorter, wobblier whitewater counterpart.

This project, in which we explore the Ten Thousand Islands Wildlife Refuge and Everglades National Park (designated by the United Nations as an International Biosphere Reserve), is offered as an Outward Bound course by the North Carolina Outward Bound School. It is an expedition-style trip, camping on beaches each night as we make our way along the barrier islands on the Gulf of Mexico side of the Everglades.

Since the sea kayak will be our means of transportation, we will get intense instruction from trained guides. Throughout the week we will learn the care and maintenance of a fiberglass sea kayak, packing of a single or double kayak, stroke technique, how to use a compass to determine bearings and direction, navigating using nautical charts and tide tables, selecting routes given specific sea and water conditions, surf launchings and landings, 'leave no trace' camping, wind and wave theory, basic outdoor living skills, 'wet' rescue techniques, plus the natural and human history of the area.

There will be a culminating 'final expedition' at the conclusion of the project.

Students will not only learn to use sea kayaks but also will develop self-confidence, teamwork, kayak and wilderness skills, and an appreciation for the natural environment.

Because we are on the water most of the time, our itinerary looks deceptively simple:

Saturday, March 12
Fly to Ft. Lauderdale from O'Hare at 6:40 a.m. We will be picked up by a van and driven to Everglades City for the evening.

Sunday-Thursday, March 13 through 17
On the water!

Thursday, March 17
We will return to our base camp in Everglades City where we will clean our kayaks and gear and have our closing ceremony.

Friday, March 18
Check out and drive to Fort Lauderdale. We'll arrive back at O'Hare in the evening.