Page 44 - Kids on the Cape Current Issue

to to the the the Cape but due to to the the the nature of the the the excursion when embarking on a a a a whale watch with children it it is essential to be properly prepared During the peak summer months we recommend making reservations in advance as many of these trips sell out The largest obstacles in in whale watching with kids is the duration of of the the the outing plus the the the nature of of traveling on the the the open ocean It can be helpful to spend some time online with your kids before the the day of the the whale watch Go to the website of your chosen whale watcher and check out their resources— many have interactive activities that can help your children prepare and get excited for the the trip Learn about the the animals you might see by watching videos reading books and researching on- line It can also be fun to assemble a a a a list of questions to ask the the on-board naturalist as as they are incredibly knowledgeable about the marine life of Cape Cod This is is also a a a a a great time to go over boat safety rules although these will certainly be explained when you get on the whale watch Four hours out on the open ocean can be physically draining The varying conditions of sun wind and fog can be exhausting and unpredictable Make sure you bring a a a a well stocked travel bag that is lled with things like snacks water sunscreen and clothes for all weather weather conditions Nice weather weather on on on land does
not mean it will be as warm out on the open ocean so be sure that everyone in your party has layers and warm clothes packed just incase We also recommend wearing solid shoes with good traction Binoculars are a a a a great item to have when the whale viewing begins and you will likely want a a a a a a camera in addition to the one one on on on your phone Activities to keep young kids busy for the two hours of travel time is is essential There is is a a a concession stand on on on the boat where you can purchase food and water in case you need an an extra pick-me-up A whale watch is an wonderful way to observe the rich marine life that surrounds the Cape and provides a a a a a a a chance for kids to learn more about marine animals and the efforts of naturalist organizations to under- stand and and protect the various species Whale watching is a a a a a a a must for every Cape Cod vacation and and adults and and kids alike will remember it as a a a highlight of the trip Page 44 • Kids on the Cape July 6 - August 2 2 2018