WORLD OCEANS DAY
by Lucretia Voigt
This Friday, June 8, is World Oceans Day. Haven't heard of it? Well, you're not alone. World Oceans Day was inaugurated during the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Since we here on Nantucket are surrounded by ocean, it seems only fitting that we should celebrate this day.

JUST FOR KIDS

Some great books that will help begin this day are "My Life with the Wave" by Catherine Cowan, Octavio Paz, and illustrated by Mark Buehner. This picture book is suitable for all ages, and deals with the question: What would happen if I decided to bring a friendly wave home from the ocean? It's a wonderful story, and the illustrations are remarkable.

For a factual oceans study, "Ocean," which is part of the Eyewitness Series from DK Publishing, Inc., will keep your child interested for years. This series of books is a good introduction to just about everything. Every page is filled with pictures, written information and facts, making it a good choice for all ages.

Once you've read some books about oceans with your child, time to move on to energy-expending exercises. Before heading to the beach, however, take some time to make a note in a bottle. Any age child can participate in this activity. Have them either draw a picture of their house or write a note about living on Nantucket. Be sure to add a phone number, email address or address, whatever you feel comfortable putting on the note.

Plastic water bottles work pretty well, but can break down from the sun. The small Coke bottles you can get at Stop n Shop can work well, too. Make sure you seal the lid on the bottle by melting candle wax around the edge. This is a parent activity!

I know some people will blanch at the idea of throwing bottles in the ocean; however, this is an age-old tradition that I would hate to lose. My son once found a bottle with a note inside on Tuckernuck. There is no greater treasure to a child, and they also can end up with an interesting pen pal!

Now onward to the ocean. Lucky for us we have our choice of beaches. Surfside, 'Sconset and the South Shore beaches are the Atlantic Ocean; Children's Beach, Madaket, the Creeks and the North Shore beaches are Nantucket Harbour and Nantucket Sound. Plan on making this a two-day activity in order to contrast Nantucket Sound with the Atlantic Ocean.

The easiest beach to visit is Children's Beach. There are usually minnows and crabs in the shallows. Point out the calmness of the harbour water, the small waves and the sea life. If your child gets tired of watching

for sea creatures, the playground

at Children's Beach is always a wonderful play place.

Either later that day, or the next day, take your child to an Atlantic Ocean beach. Point out the large waves, the heavy surf and the different points on the sand from the high tide and low tide marks. Discuss with them what would happen if they set out on a boat and took a straight course across the Atlantic, and that the Atlantic Ocean they are seeing is the same ocean that borders Ireland, Spain and Portugal. This is a good time to introduce geography and a world map. If you have a globe, all the better.

If you decide to send your note in the bottle on its way, launch it from a South Shore beach. It has a better chance of making a long journey from the Atlantic Ocean side of the island than from the Nantucket Sound side.

Another field trip is the Maria Mitchell Aquarium at 28 Washington St. Opening on June 12 for the season, you can visit Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Filled with 20 saltwater tanks, dry exhibits, and two large "touch tanks," it is an educational and fun way to learn about the waters around Nantucket. If your child shows an interest in finding out more about the sea life, sign them up for one of the summer classes offered by the Maria Mitchell Association. You can get a complete list at www.mmo.org.

In order to get the whole family involved, take a vote and pick your favorite ocean beach. Then, on Saturday or Sunday, take a picnic lunch, some garbage bags and gardening gloves and head to your favorite spot.

Before lunch, however, take a half -hour and pick up the garbage in and around the beach. Use the gardening gloves in order to keep your hands somewhat sanitary during this exercise. Believe me - you will be surprised at the kind of garbage you will find!

Once you have cleaned the beach, lay down a towel, put out your picnic and enjoy the scenery. You will have done your part to make World Oceans Day a success - and made a piece of Nantucket a little better for your being

in it. I