Marine Exploration Day at the Del Mar Powerhouse was a great hands-on learning experience that included tide pool creatures from Birch Aquarium, shark dissection, docents from Torrey Pines speaking about whale migration, lagoon restoration, beach safety, puppet shows, and crafts.  See below for Jill MacDonald's article in the Del Mar Times.

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Young explorers discover marine life
Hands-on experience of the ancient technique of Gyotaku Art (Japanese fish painting). The Del Mar Library put on an adorable puppet show called "Diego the Whale" and the children made a Diego themed craft afterward. The Torrey Pines State Park and Natural Preserve docents presented a program about "the gentle giant of the ocean", the whale. They provided many interesting details about the whales that frequent the waters off Southern California and showed real whalebones. In fact, did you know whale calves are actually born with hair?

In addition, the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy presented information about the lagoon plants and wildlife. They also let children play in the dirt while they made seed balls with native San Diego plant seeds. Families were encouraged to plant the seed balls in their own yard.

The highlight of the day was when the Del Mar Lifeguards presented a program on beach safety and took families out for boat rides out past the surf line to the kelp beds. Families experienced a whole new view of the ocean, saw dolphins and commented on how great the Del Mar Village looks from the ocean.

The next Del Mar Foundation Children's event will be Family Bingo Night on Friday, Oct. 23, at 6:30 p.m. at the Del Mar Powerhouse Community Center. Bring your children and your dinner.

Great events like these are conceived and planned by the parents in our community. Come be a part of the fun during the Del Mar Foundation Children's Committee social gathering. The gathering is held at 9:30 a.m. the last Wednesday of every month, at the Del Mar Library Community Room. Immediately following the get together, the library presents the Children's Story Hour.

So, come socialize with other parents, be a part of planning great community events with the Del Mar Foundation, and stay for the Library Story Hour.

- Jill MacDonald