Education Catalog 2017-2018
C O N S E R V AT I O N
RESEARCH
E D U C AT I O N
T HE F R A N K KE NYON
C ENT R E
Table of Contents
About Us…………………………………..……………3
Abaco Island………………………………………….. 4
Our Facilities……….………………………………….5
Education Programs………………………………….8
Prices and Fees……………………………………….17
Contact Us…………………………………………….25
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About Us
Mission: Friends of the Environment works to preserve and protect Abaco’s terrestrial
and marine environments in order to achieve sustainable living for the wildlife and the
people of Abaco, Bahamas.
Kenyon Centre Vision: Support the work of FRIENDS by facilitating scientific
research and outreach, and promoting sustainable development in Abaco, Bahamas.
Organizational Values:
• Providing education to build respect for the environment and enable people to make
informed decisions
• Promoting individual responsibility and environmental stewardship
• Providing opportunities for adults and kids to be out in the environment
• Working with partners to conserve resources
• Engaging all aspects of community in activities
Background
Established in 1988, Friends of the Environment (FRIENDS) is the only local
environmental organization with a full time staff and ongoing programs dedicated
solely to preserving Abaco’s fragile environment and bringing those issues to the
forefront. Since 2006 environmental education has been the central focus of the
organization. To date, FRIENDS has provided approximately 13,000 educational
opportunities to students by working with all 22 schools in Abaco to get students out
of the classroom and into the environment.
In 2015 The Frank Kenyon Centre for Research, Education, and Conservation opened
its doors with the goal to create new environmental education opportunities for
students, increase research conducted on Abaco, and provide connections between the
two to benefit conservation efforts locally, nationally, and internationally.
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Abaco Island
The Abacos are a group of islands and cays that form a 120-mile–long chain stretching
over 650 square miles. This unique chain of islands exemplifies different Bahamian
ecosystems including inland and marine blue holes, pine forest, coppice forest,
mangrove forest, sandy beaches, rocky shores, seagrass beds and coral reefs. Great
Abaco Island and Little Abaco serve as the "mainland", and there are a number of
barrier islands called “cays”. Marsh Harbour has a lively downtown area with all city
amenities. Treasure Cay boasts miles of pristine beaches, including one of the top 10
beaches in the world. Elbow Cay and Green Turtle Cay are old English Loyalist
settlements, where you’ll find beautifully preserved colonial architecture with a touch
of Bahamian pastels. Abaco is a great place for an adventure and provides endless
research opportunities and learning experiences from environmental science,
biological science, geology, social studies and so much more. The island also boasts
two international airports and medical facilities.
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Our Facilities
The perfect site for school groups, service groups, and researchers, with all the
required amenities at your finger tips!
On Site Amenities
• Eight bedrooms (28 bunks total)
• Full kitchen (self-service or caterer options available)
• Classroom (projector and screen included)
• Lab
• Two covered outdoor workspaces with access to running water
• Male & female restrooms with in-door and outdoor showers
• Wifi and air-conditioning throughout the building
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A look at The Kenyon Centre
Common Room
4 Person Bedroom
Kitchen
Lab Deck
Lab
The majority of our power is provided by the sun and stored on site in batteries, so we
ask that you be conservative while you are here!
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Education Program
Our programs cater to age groups from pre-school to high school and can be adapted
to suit your learning objectives. Let us know how we can help tailor a great
educational and memorable experience for your group.
Education Program Overview:
Abaco Blue Holes
Take a trip to Sawmill Sink, famous site of Bahamian
archeological finds. Observe fossils of ancient tortoises and
crocodiles and discuss their role in the paleo-ecology of
Abaco. The lesson and field trip is in partnership with
Antiquities, Monuments, and Museums Corporation. Students
will have a chance to swim in the blue hole, but this is not
required.
Grade level: all.
Coral Reef
Spend the morning learning about marine biodiversity and
the importance of coral reefs and the afternoon snorkeling
Mermaid Reef in Marsh Harbour to view natural and
artificial reefs. Mermaid Reef is home to many species of fish
and invertebrates. This is a great location to take novice
snorkelers because it is shallow and protected. Teacher/
chaperone required to snorkel.
Grade levels: All. Ability to swim is required!
Sandy Beach
Learn about the importance of beaches both for sustainable
recreation and as a habitat. This activity is a great way for
students to “give back” to the community. The students
spend the afternoon doing a beach cleanup and as a reward
they get to swim.
Grade Level : All
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Mangroves
Learn about one of the world's most productive
ecosystems in the classroom, after which you are fully
immersed in the mangrove ecosystem at Camp Abaco.
Students have the opportunity to see first hand the variety
of species that inhabit the mangroves. Do a mangrove
scavenger hunt to find them all! This is a great place to
spot shore birds as well. Activities can be adapted to grade
level. Grade level: all. Walking shoes are recommended.
Activities require shoes and clothes that can get muddy!
Abaco Cultural History
Spend the morning in the classroom learning about
historical Bahamas events. Topics include The Loyalists,
The Lucayans, Farming in Abaco, and Industries in Abaco.
The afternoon is spent touring Hope Town, Green Turtle
Cay, or old sugar and saw mill ruins.
Pine Forest Exploration
Compare coppice and pine forest habitats while looking
out for birds and other native species. The pine forest is
home to the endemic Bahama Parrot, an endangered
subspecies of the Cuban Amazon. Learn more about the
Bahama Parrot and conservation efforts in Abaco. This
lesson is in partnership with the Bahamas Forestry Unit.
It’s a great opportunity to discuss terrestrial ecology,
invasive species and fire ecology. Grade level: all. Walking
shoes are recommended.
Questions? Email [email protected] or Call 242-367-2721
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Abaco Blue Holes
Blue holes in The Bahamas are caves that are filled with water. Named for their colour,
blue holes can be very deep, and can have many cave passages below sea level. Blue
holes are found in two geographic settings; they open onto dry land or they open into
the marine environment. Blue holes are also known as “blowing holes” or “boiling
holes” because of the way the water moves in and out of them. The National Museum
of The Bahamas whose office is located at Friends of The Environment’s Education
Centre have collected and archived most of the fossils found in blue holes all over The
Bahamas including remains from Albury’s tortoises, Cuban crocodiles, other extinct
animals, and Lucayan skulls.
Curriculum Connections
Topic
Primary School High School
Pollution
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Land Formation
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Ground Water
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Fossils
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Ecosystems
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Climate Change
✔
Water Quality
✔
Geology
✔
Adaptations
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Fossils from the collection at The National Museum
Photos by: Nancy Albury
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Coral Reef
Coral Reefs are delicate ecosystems that provide many beneficial services for us. This
vast diversity of life has given coral reefs the name “rainforests of the sea.” This
ecosystem is a group of living things, such as coral, algae and fishes, along with their
non-living environment, such as rocks, water and sand. Coral reefs not only provide
food and shelter to thousands of species of plants and animals but also benefit us by
breaking waves, protecting shorelines from erosion and keeping beaches and coastal
communities intact.
Curriculum Connections
Topic
Primary School High School
Pollution
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Biodiversity
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Key Species (Queen Conch. Nassau Grouper, Spiny Lobster)
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Feeding Relationships (Food web, Food chain)
✔
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Ecosystems
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Climate Change
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Invasive Species
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Endangered Species
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National Parks and Protected Areas
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Classification
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Fisheries Management
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Coral Identification
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Sandy Beach
The Bahamas is known internationally for our beaches. This ecosystem is not only a
popular area for recreation but also home to many animals and plants. Beaches are
highly trafficked in The Bahamas, because of this these areas are at risk of being
polluted. Beaches are divided into four zones: the intertidal zone (the water’s edge), the
splash zone (above the high tide mark), the pioneer zone (where a few plants struggle
to become established), and the fixed dune zone - (this zone is where you find sea
grape plants and other shrubs). This zone is normally disturbed or absent due to
coastal development.
Curriculum Connections
Topic
Primary School High School
Pollution
✔
✔
Biodiversity
✔
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Key Species (Turtles, Shore Birds)
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✔
Ecosystems
✔
✔
Climate Change
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Invasive Species
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Endangered Species
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Erosion
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Coastal Development
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Mangroves
Mangroves are very special trees. In The Bahamas we have four species of mangroves.
Red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle) are typically the first trees found as you approach
the mangrove wetland from the sea - their roots are almost always in water. They have
tall prop roots extending downward from the trunk to anchor the tree in this muddy
wetland environment. The second mangroves you will see as you approach the
shoreline are the black mangroves. Their roots stick up out of the ground like snorkels
and are called pneumatophores. These ‘snorkel roots’ provide oxygen to the plant, and
may become exposed at low tide. White mangroves are the third mangrove you would
find in the perfect example of mangrove zonation. These mangroves are characterized
by the sugar nectaries on the leaf stem or petiole. Next, and furthest from the water are
Buttonwood trees. Buttonwoods are not considered true mangroves but mangrove
associates. Both white mangroves and buttonwood trees are often found in drier soil
than the other mangroves. Mangroves are very important! They provide many
important services for humans and other marine ecosystems.
Curriculum Connections
Topic
Primary School High School
Pollution
✔
✔
Biodiversity
✔
✔
Key Species
✔
✔
Ecosystems
✔
✔
Erosion
✔
Coastal Development
✔
Feeding Relationships (Food web, Food chain)
✔
✔
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Abaco Cultural History
Abaco is rich in Bahamian History. The original inhabitants were Lucayan Indians
who dated back to pre-Columbian times. The second group of people that inhabited
the island were Europeans known as “Loyalists” who came to The Bahamas to run
away from the American Revolution. It is believed that a group of 600 Loyalists from
New York, attracted by the available land, founded the town of Carleton on Great
Abaco. They made their living farming, fishing, and by salvaging the goods from
shipwrecks lying in the shallow reefs that surrounding the islands. Abaco is
historically, and presently, known for boat building and is home to famous boat
builders The Albury Brothers. There are countless sites of saw mills and even a sugar
plantation.
Curriculum Connections
Topic
Primary School
High School
Loyalists
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Lucayans
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Past Industries
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Tourism
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Sample Schedule
Activity
Day 1 ECOSYSTEMS
Description/Notes
Sunrise: 6:55am, Sunset 7:08pm, High Tide: 10:45am, Low Tide: 5:08pm
7:30AM Arrive in Marsh Harbour
Pickup by bus service
7:45AM Arrive at Kenyon Centre
8:00AM Catered Breakfast
8:45AM Kenyon Centre/site orientation, room assignments
9:15AM Presentation - Abaco’s Ecosystems
FKC Education Officer
Presentation in FRIENDS classroom
10:15AM Break time
Outside
10:30AM Ecosystems Activity - (“Who Pollutes?”)
Outside or on porch of Kenyon Centre
11:00AM Travel to Camp Abaco/Broad Creek for Mangrove
bus service
11:15AM (approx)
Coppice Forest- Identify some of the trees, Natives and Invasives.
Mangroves- Identify the 4 types
Brown Bag Lunch
2:00PM Return to Kenyon Centre
2:30PM Reflection - Journal experience
3:00PM Team activity (Teacher/Chaparones)
4:00PM Evening presentation
5:00PM Shower/cleanup and down time
6:30PM Lab activity
Other options: Presentations: Climate Change or
Ocean Pollution
7:30PM Catered Dinner
8:30PM Optional Stargazing
Activity
DAY 2 - Pine Forest and
Farming
Description/Notes
Sunrise: 6:56am, Sunset 7:06pm, Low Tide: 6:08am, High Tide: 12:32
8:00AM Breakfast
9:00AM Presentation - Pine Forest
KFC Education Officer
10:00AM Organic Farm Field Trip - bus pickup
FRIENDS classroom
bus service.
12:00PM Return to Frank Kenyon Centre
12:15PM Lunch
1:15PM Coral Reef Presentation and Activity
Pick up provided snorkel gear
FRIENDS Classroom
2:00PM Bus pickup for Mermaid Reef
Mermaid Reef field trip - snorkel experience to view real and artificial reefs
3:30PM Leave Mermaid Reef, return to Kenyon Centre
Team activity (Teacher/ Chaperone)
Shower/cleanup
5:00PM Outdoor activities
FKC Education Officer
5:30PM Presentation Blue Holes
Brian Kakuk- Bahamas Underground
7:00PM Catered Dinner
8:30PM Optional Stargazing
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Sample Schedule
Activity
DAY 3 - Abaco History and
Culture
Description/Notes
Sunrise: 6:56am, Sunset 7:06pm, Low Tide: 6:08am, High Tide: 12:32)
8:00AM Breakfast
9:00AM Presentation -GUEST PRESENTER- The Loyalists in Abaco
10:00:00 AM (approx)
Bus pickup for ferry/Hope Town Field Trip
10:30AM Albury’s Ferry leaves for Hope Town
Ferry Ride is 20 minutes
Accompanied by Tour Guide
11:00AM Arrive in Hope Town
Visit Elbow Reef Lighthouse
Lunch at Munchies Take Away
Walk south through town to museum
Will pass cholera graveyard, and there is also a
memorial there for sailors lost on the Athol
Queen.
Visit Wyannie Malone Historical Museum
Curator can speak to you more in depth about
the museum displays and answer questions
about Loyalist life.
Self-guided beach walk
Beach access is very close to the museum
(next to St James Methodist Church).
3:00PM Ferry leaves Hope Town for Marsh Harbour
3:30PM Transport back to Frank Kenyon Centre
Reflection - Journal experience, Video
4:15PM DEPART FOR AIRPORT (flight leaves at 5:55pm)
Schedules can be personalized based on request and needs of your group.
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Pricing and Fees
The following is a summary of prices charged at the Frank Kenyon Centre. The fees do
not include personal expenses. All fees are subject to change.
HOUSING (Nightly Rates)
BED RATE (Minimum group size of 4) - $30 per person
PRIVATE ROOM (Option available for persons not wanting to share room) - $120
* Rates include full use of the centre including lab and wifi. 7.5% VAT will be applied.
CATERED MEALS
Meals are not provided by The Frank Kenyon Centre however, an outside caterer can
be arranged. Meals can also be prepared by your group at the centre. A full kitchen
and outside grill are available to use at your convenience.
SAMPLE CATERING MENU
BREAKFAST
Assorted cereals, assorted pastries or breakfast quiche. Includes O.J, apple juice or milk.
LUNCH
Turkey wrap, veggie pizza, hamburger or cheeseburger. Served with chips and lemonade or
iced tea.
DINNER
Baked chicken w/mac & cheese and veggies, Curried chicken w/ white rice and corn, or
homemade spaghetti w/ meat sauce or mushroom sauce. Drink: lemonade or iced tea.
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Contact Us
The Frank Kenyon Centre / Friends of the Environment
PO Box AB 20755
Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas
242-367-2721 (P)
242-367-0722 (F)
[email protected]
Cassandra Abraham
Education Officer
[email protected]
For Fed Ex/UPS Deliveries:
Friends of the Environment
#1 Conservation Lane
Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas
242-367-2721 (P)
242-367-0722 (F)
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