Day 2
Today’s Focus Day was led by student leaders Des and Jude, who posed an important question to our group: What is the most important part of the work that Archelon does to conserve the nesting grounds for the Loggerhead Sea Turtles?
We kicked off the day with a Turtle Talk led by volunteers from the Archelon conservation group, our first activity of the day. We learned about the incredible lives of Loggerhead sea turtles, from their long lifespans and nesting habits to the threats they face from pollution and beachfront development. We even spotted turtle tracks in the sand before rolling up our sleeves to help clean up the beach, the very one we’ll be sleeping on tonight. SMUS Middle School has adopted three Turtle nests this year along Kyparissia Bay, and this inspired one of our very own Grade 8s, Elyse, to adopt a hatchling for a year.
FUN FACTS:
Loggerhead turtles can live up to 100 years and lay up to 100 eggs per nest every two summers, often digging 3 to 4 nests at a time. But their survival is far from guaranteed. Plastic bags that resemble jellyfish (a favourite turtle snack), bright beach bar lights that confuse hatchlings, and human interference all pose serious risks. Even something as small as touching a hatchling or blocking its path to the sea can be life-threatening. Kyparissia Bay, where we are staying, is a crucial nesting ground with over 8,000 nests recorded last year. Archelon volunteers like Marvin and Sivan explained that the 54 km stretch of beach is patrolled daily, with curfews placed on artificial lights to keep the hatchlings on track toward the moonlit sea.
After a meaningful day on the beach, we enjoyed a yummy dinner and celebrated our summer birthdays: Des, Emma, Cleo, Ella, Marc, and Mel, (other members of our Greece fam). Then we got ready for our beach sleepover, where the loggerhead sea turtles are currently nesting. Before rolling out our sleeping bags, we had one last activity before heading to the beach -Greek Dancing lessons led by the legendary PE teacher and NOKY triathlon coach, Yannis. With a large celebration taking place at the church near our hotel, we relocated to the Vincents’ yard where Yannis brought the energy and the moves to life.
We were incredibly fortunate to spot multiple turtles during the night and even witnessed one laying over 85 eggs in a single nest—an unforgettable moment. The kids did an amazing job setting up camp, showing teamwork, care, and quiet respect for the nesting turtles nearby.
Some answers to the Focus Question:
- They inspire action. Whether it’s picking up a piece of garbage, turning off a beach light, or simply staying curious, they show us that small efforts, when done with care, help clear the way for new life to begin. The number of nests has increased from 800 - 8000 over the span of 5 years.
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