Once on base, the Girl Scouts had a peaceful night before quickly departing for Panama the next morning. They enjoyed their boat ride to their final destination: Bocas del Toro! The Girl Scouts have been singing every boat ride they take, and once on dry land, a dance accompanies it. Since being in Bocas Del Toro, there have been practicing their confined water skills in preparation for their dives. They have been working with our Dive Master Jim Rowe (our executive director)! The group completed an open water dive to a shipwreck and went night snorkeling where they experienced bioluminescence, one of Panama’s natural wonders! The girls have also been fortunate to see manta rays and jellyfish during their dives! At this point, all the scouts have passed their practical test and they will soon complete their NAUI Scuba certifications! We have made accommodations for students to also have the ability to snorkel instead of scuba dive throughout their time in Bocas Del Toro.

Everyone has been having a blast wakeboarding and kneeboarding around the Bocas del Toro islands. They have also enjoyed playing games with the local kids. Today the Girl Scouts are heading to the beach, where they will have a nice day to decompress before they head off to their service project and end the day with a game of volleyball with the local indigenous community members!

Next week, everyone will be headed to San San Pond Sak, one of the world’s most important sea turtle sanctuaries to meet conservationists and learn about the active conservation efforts for endangered leatherback and hawksbill sea turtle populations. Students will also complete a night patrol to monitor the potential mama sea turtles laying their eggs along the beach and protect them from animal predators. They will also see and feed manatees banana leaves from the docks!

Soon the Girl Scouts will be back on base for a final meal, bonfire accompanied by smores, and a ceremony passing out the infamous moon turtles