Books and Beyond: A Marine Adventure with Community at Heart
Written by Take MAR
On Sunday, April 13th, we held our very first Books and Beyond field trip, which was nothing short of magical! This event was made possible through a collaboration with Take MAR, the Competitive Readers Coalition (CRC), One Community Grocery Co-op, and Minorities in Shark Science (MISS). Together, we brought the ocean to life for young readers in the community and took them on an unforgettable adventure.
Building Literacy & Curiosity, One Theme at a Time
In partnership with The Competitive Readers Coalition (CRC), we kicked off this special initiative to provide themed books to children and teens, called “Books and Beyond”. For the first series and trip, our theme focused on the Ocean and Marine Sciences. These books weren’t just for reading, but served as a passport to discovery. As a reward for reading them, those gifted books were also treated to a day on the water and the shores of Shell Key. The readers were asked to provide a short summary of what they read in exchange for a spot on the Hubbard’s Ferry for them and their families.
Formerly known as the Barbershop Book Club Inc., The Competitive Readers Coalition Inc. is a non-profit organization on a mission to unlock the gates of literacy in children by carving spaces for creativity, learning, and growth within the Tampa Bay area.” CRC hosts reading competitions and programs to engage youth with stories that reflect their identities, fuel their imaginations, and introduce them to worlds beyond their own. We're proud to sponsor CRC with books that align with each theme of our future Books and Beyond series, with new topics to explore every few months!
Setting Sail
Our attendees set off on a ferry ride to the stunning shores of Shell Key. The weather was perfect, the sky clear, and the ocean sparkled beneath the sun. It was a dream backdrop for a day of celebration, learning, and exploration. The captain and crew were extremely engaging, and even gave some of the readers a chance to steer the ferry!
Nourishing Bodies & Minds with One Community Grocery Co-op
Once on Shell Key, we were welcomed with a generous and wholesome lunch provided by Erica with One Community Grocery Co-op. Her delicious spread ensured everyone had the energy to explore the island, collect seashells, and bond with each other while enjoying the escape of nature - in perfect alignment with Take MARs mission.
One Community Grocery Co-op is a growing grassroots effort aimed at bringing accessible, healthy, and affordable food to communities that need it most. Their presence at the event was a beautiful reminder that feeding our bodies is just as important as feeding our minds.
A Shark Science Demo with MISS
A huge highlight of the day was the hands-on shark science demonstration by Jasmine from Minorities in Shark Science (MISS). Using their trusty stuffed shark, Timmy, Jasmine walked attendees through the real-life field process of studying sharks - including blood sampling, checking vitals, and explaining all the tools marine scientists use.
Her team typically completes this entire process in under 3 minutes in the field, which is an amazing example of science in action! MISS is changing the face of marine science by empowering women of color in the field, and we were so honored to have them be part of the day.
A Surprise Dolphin Sighting
As if the day couldn’t get any better, we were treated to an impromptu dolphin sighting twice on our return trip! The ferry driver even slowed the boat so we could admire the pods swimming beside us - a perfect closing moment for an already magical day. It was the ideal way to reconnect us back to nature.
Want to get involved, donate books, or learn more about our partners?
Follow the Competitive Readers Coalition to support literacy initiatives
Check out One Community Grocery Co-op and their mission for food justice
Learn about MISS and how they’re changing the face of marine science
Stay Tuned: More Books and Beyond Coming Soon!
This is just the beginning of the Books and Beyond series. We’ll be back in the coming months with a new book theme, more community giveaways through CRC, and more opportunities to explore the world beyond the page!
