CALYPS³O 2008 Journal
Indiana School for the Deaf
Indian Creek High School

Day 10, Monday, June 12, 2008


Beth Ann Culkin (ICHS)

We are now coming to the end of our trip. Today is our last day and we are heading home. I think this has been an amazing experience, one that very few people have the chance to experience in their lifetime. I was very lucky to have been chosen to participate this year. This trip had a lot of "firsts" for me ... first time in an airplane, first time to travel to Florida that I can remember, first time to be in the ocean, as well as many other things. I enjoyed everything I did, even all of my new experiences. I love Florida! The weather has been great here, alot better than what we heard was going on back in Indiana with the flooding. I have also learned a lot from this trip. We were definitely able to learn and have fun doing it. Not only did I learn a lot from the tours we did at NASA's Kennedy Space Center and Patrick Air Force Base, but I also learned so much from going scuba diving. I can now identify many of the fish we saw. Even though I wasn't one of the students who saw a shark, I did see many other interesting creatures. I have also made new friends on this trip and enjoyed getting to know the students from ISD. I learned a little more sign language and as the trip became longer, we all just got closer and closer. Overall, this trip has been an opportunity of a lifetime. I loved it and had an amazing time. I am really glad I was able to be a part of it.

Michael Garman (ISD)

We woke up very early this morning to leave for the airport. We packed our clothes and suitcases, then took them to the vans at 5:30 am. Our teachers checked our group out of the hotel and then we left Key Largo behind us. Most of us fell asleep in the vans during the two hour trip to the Fort Lauderdale airport. I woke up and ate breakfast with my friend. Our teachers had packed cinnamon rolls, danishes, and bagels in the vans for breakfast. We arrived at the airport and returned the vans. We grabbed some some quick snacks and then we boarded the plane and took off for Atlanta, Georgia. The flight was two hours. We landed in Atlanta, then waited about 30 minutes for our next flight home to Indianapolis. We arrived in Indianapolis and all the parents were there to pick us up.

We had so much fun in Florida! Nobody got bored on the trip. Everything was fun and enjoyable. We learned so much about NASA and scuba diving in the ocean. My favorite parts of the trip were swimming with the dolphins and doing the deep dives to the ship wrecks of the "Eagle" and the "Speigel Grove." Both of those dives were more than 90 feet. I am sure all of us will never forget CALYPSO.

More Photos

     

Kyle (left) and our Guardian Angel, PADI instructor Bill Kiesel (right) always watching us from above

     

Grilled hamburgers & hot dogs at the Dive Center (left) & the turtle we saw on our night dive (right)

     

The ship wreck of the Eagle (left) and Casey lit up like a Christmas tree after the night dive (right)

     

Yes, teachers Mrs. Huckleberry & Miss Piety really do scuba dive (left) &
Colin learns how to operate a video camera in an underwater housing (right)



A beautiful blue parrot fish



Within five minutes of arriving at the dive sites, everyone starts getting their wetsuits on and
make sure their tanks, BCD's, and regulators are assembled. The ocean was a beautiful blue color each day.



Janna and Colin were the first persons, other than the trainers, to be in the water with deaf dolphin, Castaway.

"Castaway," the Deaf Dolphin

Messages from home:

Hello Everyone! I so envy you scuba diving in the Keys! What a thrilling adventure! It sounds as though (even if some of you are slightly sea sick) you are making the absolute most of this experience. This trip is something you will remember for the rest of your lives. Enjoy every minute! --- Sandy Stockton (retired and loving it!)

Hello from home, the water is going down but some fields still look like lakes & you can see where it wreaked havoc on fields & some homes in lower areas. It is sad ... areas flooded that no one would have expected. We think the speed & magnitude surprised everyone. There was so much rain in such a short period, it over whelmed the drainage systems. We attempted to go in to church this morning but were unable to get there; the police still had part of 31 closed so we could not get into town that way. There are a few bridges compromised & some culverts washed away here & there in Johnson County. Thankfully, no grievous injuries were reported in our area. The damage was just material things that can be rebuilt & replaced with time. The good news is today is a beautiful sunny day. A great day to relax and enjoy the life we have been given. We love the newsletters & pictures looks as if everyone is enjoying the experience. ----- Larry & Diana Culkin

Hello, all! I just wanted to tell you that watching your trip has been a ray of sunshine in the middle of the flood back home! Samantha, a chicken sandwich? Way to venture out into the great unknown! Just kidding. :) Thanks for all your descriptive journals; stay safe, and take care. ---- Mrs. Woodke, Assistant Principal, Indian Creek High School