Oyster Kids

Each year, a number of 4th and 5th graders from local elementary schools participate in this EYCF program that is possible through a partnership with The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF).

The Bay used to be teaming with crabs and oysters, but both populations are now rapidly declining. The oysters’ poor health is particularly disturbing. They used to filter the entire Bay in a couple of days, but because of run-off, pollution, and disease, this is no longer possible. And so the Bay gets dirtier and dirtier!

The students come to Eastport Yacht Club in the fall to measure young oyster spat, provided by CBF, that is growing on old oyster shells. They take samples of Bay water and measure its salinity, PH, and temperature while learning how the condition of the water is critical to the growth of the oysters. The spat is put in cages and lowered into the water off the Club docks, where it will grow through the winter. By the spring, it will reach a size where it can survive on a sanctuary reef out in the Bay. A highlight for the children is a springtime boat trip out to one of these reefs, where the oysters are released to do their valuable work.
The Eastport Yacht Club Foundation funds all expenses of this program, including paying for buses to transport the students to the Club in Eastport twice a year, and for t-shirts and a pizza lunch in the Clubhouse. EYC members kindly donate the use of their boats for the program.

To obtain more information on EYCF programs and support provided by the foundation visit www.eycfoundation.org.  To volunteer in the spring, contact Helen Drewett at 410 280 3826 or helendrewett@comcast.net.  No experience is required.