Discovering a world beneath the waves 

This week on the Take a Break program, Cottage by the Sea welcomed 39 students from WELS for four days of fun, adventure and new experiences. Throughout the week, the children enjoyed a lot of fun activities. For some, it was their first time in these experiences – many of these children had never been to the beach before. We explored the beaches, went boogie-boarding, explored rock pools, to name a few. A highlight was the all-time favourite: boogie-boarding.

The children also loved visiting the Marine Discovery Centre (MDC), as it was their first time seeing most of the marine life up close. The excitement was contagious – they went from tank to tank and were so excited to see what fish they would discover next. Questions tumbled out fast, Cottage staff were quick with their knowledge and provided facts that made the participants wide-eyed and excited, showing just how eager they were to learn about this new world beneath the waters – right in our backyard. The children loved the starfish, the touch tank and the massive lobster, and even spent time admiring the beautiful sea horses.

After the MDC visit, we all walked back along the beach towards Cottage. The children ran across the sand, laughing at the waves and squealed as they were running along the shore. Something as simple as feeling sand in their hands became a brand-new experience – something they’ll carry with them as part of their new journey. 

Programs like this are a beautiful reminder of the power of simple joys. For these children, the beach wasn’t just a place to play – it was a doorway to discovery, belonging and wonder. Watching them explore with pure curiosity and happiness was a gift in itself.