More Than Just a Field Trip: Magic in Monterey

There’s a specific kind of magic that happens when you take thirty-some 7th graders out of the classroom and plant them on the edge of the Pacific. This year’s trip to Monterey Bay wasn't just a break from the classroom; it was an experience with the stunning beauty of the California coast.

From the moment we arrived, the bay felt alive. We had amazing weather all three days. We spent time wandering through the world-class Monterey Bay Aquarium, taking night walks along the pier, or piling into kayaks to paddle through the harbor. There is nothing quite like being eye-level with a floating sea otter and its pup or hearing the guttural bark of sea lions echoing under the docks to make you realize how small we really are. I think most students are happy to never smell the sea lion stink again! 

Of course, it wouldn't be a middle school trip without some classic beach chaos. We spent a long afternoon at the shore where the agenda was simple: play in the surf, hunt for tiny shore crabs, and dig holes deep enough to reach the water table. Watching our small group lose track of time in the sand reminded me that, despite the growing pains of 7th grade, they’re still experts at finding joy in the simple things.

The real highlight, however, happened offshore. We boarded our whale-watching boat the final morning with a mix of excitement and nerves. We definitely discovered a few "land lubbers" who realized their sea legs were non-existent. But even the seasickness couldn't dampen the mood when we spotted a pod of Orcas!!!

We followed the pod for nearly an hour. They would surface for about two minutes, their black fins slicing through the water, some little leaps, and then dive deep for another six. The group was a family unit: two massive adult males, three females, and a playful three-year-old juvenile.

As if that wasn't enough, we also encountered a massive pod of over fifty Risso’s dolphins. They were "running, "a high-speed dash across the surface of the bay. It turns out the dolphins weren't just showing off; they were running from the Orcas. To witness that kind of high-stakes wildlife drama is incredibly rare, and the guides kept reminding us just how lucky we were to see it. They spend every day on these waters, and they were visibly floored by everything we saw

Between the shared dinners, explorations of Fisherman’s Wharf, and silly moments on the bus, I found myself feeling incredibly grateful.

Yes, we saw rare apex predators and beautiful coastlines, but the real highlight for me was the time spent with these students. Seeing them navigate new experiences, support their seasick friends, and geek out over sealife was the best part of the journey. We returned home a little saltier, a little more tired, and infinitely luckier for the experience.