Every year, the Spy selects one nonprofit organization or school on the Mid-Shore that we admire, then we reach out to our 8,000 daily subscribers with a survey designed to inform all of us about a particular issue or initiative.

Recently, as a Spy reader, you were invited to participate in a survey about lifelong learning programs.  Thanks to all of you who participated. The views you shared will help our partner in this, the Chesapeake Forum, as they develop their plans for the future.

A few thoughts should be of interest to all our readers and the community.

First, we recognize that this survey was completed by people who have an interest, indeed a passion, for lifelong learning.

Ninety-five percent of those who responded knew of one or more lifetime learning programs in their area.  Only three percent did not.

Thus, we started with a well-informed group, and this was not a random survey.

With regard to actual involvement in lifelong learning, forty-five percent indicated they are currently involved in a program with an additional twenty-one percent indicating they have been involved withing the past two years, but not currently.  An impressive thirty percent are not involved but are interested in learning more about lifelong learning.

When given alternatives, most people shared a preference for lifelong learning programs that are held in person with small groups of people.  The least desired was online learning.

People were asked to indicate topics of greatest interest.  Among the most frequently mentioned topics were:  history, art, literature, gardening, music and cooking.

It was encouraging to see that after answering a number of questions about lifelong learning, ninety-one percent of the respondents indicated it was very (57%) or somewhat (34%) important to them.

The communities on the Eastern Shore are fortunate to have a number of options when it comes to lifelong learning programs.

While not a complete list, these organizations were mentioned most frequently on the survey in addition to Chesapeake Forum:

Academy Art Museum
Avalon
BAAM
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
Chesapeake College
Talbot County Historical Society
Washington College 

If you wish further information, the good folks at Chesapeake Forum, Academy for Lifelong Learning (WC-All) in Chestertown, and the Institute of Lifelong Learning.

Like many communities throughout the country, the summer can be an essential time for young students to catch up on critical cognitive skills and be on equal footing with their peers by the fall. That is certainly true on the Mid-Shore, where children take advantage of a unique STEM Camp for 1st through 5th-grade youngsters in Talbot County.

This camp might be more unique because the instructors are all area high school students. That might be part of the special sauce that makes this summer school fun and successful for some 30 students yearly.

These older students not only can relate well to their young wards while studying tough subjects like math and science, but they run every aspect of the camp.

From developing the curriculum to planning field trips or deciding on meals, a core group of 30 staff members comes together to make the four-day program one of the most memorable experiences for their younger peers. But another part of this magical formula is that those older kids are learning as well.

Given the responsibility (and the risks associated with it) of running a full-scale program from soup to nuts, these teens find within themselves core leadership skills that are just as impactful life lessons as those they provide to the smaller children.

The Spy sat down with three of those young leaders last week to talk about the program.

This video is approximately four minutes in length. For more information about STEM Camp in Talbot County please go here.

This summer, the Easton branch of Talbot County Free Library hosted two week-long sessions of ‘STEAM’ camp for elementary and middle school students. Designed and conducted by three area high school students and funded by a grant from the Council of Friends of the Talbot County Library, the STEAM camp sessions were offered free of charge to area elementary and middle school students.

STEAM programs integrate science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics to foster a more holistic approach to education. The interdisciplinary approach encourages creativity and critical thinking, enabling students to engage in hands-on, real-world problem-solving. 

“In the Easton library’s STEAM camp, volunteer youth leaders Vivi Morris, Van Tran and Mia Mazzeo, who created the program, blended artistic expression with analytical skills to make learning fun,” said Easton Library Youth Coordinator Laura Powell. “The children who participated learned to collaborate across various disciplines, nurturing both their logical reasoning and creative potential.”

Starting with a traditional STEAM approach, Morris, Tran and Mazzeo adapted and designed the program to best suit the youngsters who were attending each week of camp. The first session hosted 20 six- to eight-year-olds and the second had 20 nine- to twelve-year-old attendees. Both sessions were at capacity. 

Over the course of each week, the camper groups tackled a number of projects that required individual effort as well as cooperation within each camper team. Each day brought a new menu of activities – everything from tie-dyeing shirts and print-making tote bags to pass and paint or creating fruit art.

“The strategy of our STEAM program was to break the campers up into small groups so they could learn to both interact effectively with each other and apply the skills each camper had,” stated Alanna Peerman, library staff assistant. “Each table of five campers had at least one volunteer High School assisting the campers.

“The campers particularly enjoyed making slime, as well as piecing together a Hex bug maze and racing the Hex bugs, said Mia Mazzeo. Two “cooking through chemistry” exercises were the highlights of each week. “To watch each camper make ice cream by hand and cook s’mores using the sun was so much fun for all of us!” commented Van Tran.

Vivi Morris agreed. “The collaboration and teamwork was so ‘chill’,” she said. “By the end of each week, we saw a community of learners, helping each other, enjoying each other’s company, and being so excited as each group completed their activities and projects.”

Two STEAM participants, Charlotte and Emmett McGrogan, of St Michaels, loved every minute of their camp experience. Emmett, 9, attended the second session and especially enjoyed making slime. “Doing crafting stuff was my most favorite activity”, said Emmett. “I can’t wait to come back to STEAM Camp next summer!”

The McGrogans’ mom, Katie Willis, also gave the program rave reviews. “As with many full-time working parents, my kids have been in a variety of summer programs – STEAM camp, which was free of charge, was hands down one of the very best,” Willis said. “The structure of STEAM camp each week was age-appropriate, well organized, and kept my kids engaged and busy the whole time. They want to go again next year, most definitely!” 

Matt LaMotte, a native of the Eastern Shore, has a diverse background. He grew up in Baltimore but spent much time in Easton and Chestertown. After college, he returned to the Mid Shore and worked in insurance and finance while raising his two sons. He then pursued a teaching and coaching career in independent schools across different states. In 2018, he chaired the History Department at Sts. Peter and Paul High School in Easton before retiring in 2021. Matt is now focused on conservation, outdoor education, and staying engaged with local and global affairs.

For PATRIOT Capitan Matt Gauthier and his partner and wife, Joyce, the transition from a private boat service to one under the umbrella of a nonprofit museum was surprisingly effortless. While the decision was made after two years of running the sightseeing vessel under private management, both Matt and Joyce realized that under the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s management, nothing really would change since the whole point of the PATRIOT was to get people out on the water and enjoy the wonders of the Miles River.

In fact, with CBMM as its owner, the PATRIOT now sees its mission as expanding. Beyond its daily tours at 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM for its traditional historic cruises of this unique part of the Chesapeake Bay, Matt and Joyce note in their recent interview with the Spy that their new partnership with the museum’s curatorial staff and educators has significantly expanded programming as well as chartering out the PATRIOT for special events, weddings and almost any other kind of celebration.

We asked Joyce and Matt to stop by the Spy studio a few weeks ago to hear more.

This video is approximately four minutes in length. Photography by Focus Photography. For more information about the PATRIOT and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, please go here.

Dr. Susan Morgan wrote to her supporters yesterday to inform them that she has resigned from the Dorchester Board of Education. This is her email:

It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter.

After much thought and consultation, I have decided that I am not seeking re-election to the Board of Education.  After the debacle that was on display last night at the Board of Education meeting, I don’t feel that my continued tenure on the Board would be fruitful or productive, and I will tender my resignation forthwith.

I will not engage in name calling and derogatory comments as Mr. Wheedleton, one of the (unelected members of the Board (appointed by the County Council), did last night.   I encourage you to watch his statements last night on Town Hall Streams, beginning at approximately 1.42.45 into the meeting. (https://townhallstreams.com/stream.php?location_id=121&id=60877)

I wish the system well.

Susan Morgan