BOSTON — Fifty-six girls from Lynn’s Girl’s Inc. traveled to Fort Warren on George’s Island as part of a Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s free program, All Access Boston Harbor.
The annual event began at Fan Pier in Boston’s Seaport where the girls boarded Mass Bay Lines MV Freedom. Save the Harbor Historian David Coffin told stories of the ghost who supposedly haunts Fort Warren, the Lady in Black.
On the way to the island, Coffin urged the girls “to try something new.” Heeding his advice, the girls tried “catching fish and huge spider crabs and exploring dark passageways together. They found bravery in each other, learned new skills and made new friends.”
On the island, the girls had a picnic lunch before splitting into two groups. Coffin led one group on a tour of Fort Warren, “whose eerily dark tunnel and spectacular views from the ramparts are a highlight of the trip.” The other group teamed up with Save the Harbor’s Senior Harbor Educators and Junior Program Assistants to learn about identifying marine life.
Lena Crowley, director of Teen and Middle School Programs at Girl’s Inc. said the event is a highlight each and every year.
“Walking the ramparts and learning about Fort Warren connects the girls to the history of our state and country in [a] way that is more real than reading about in a book. And they always have so much fun scaring themselves as they go through the dark tunnels where they hope to catch a glimpse of the Lady in Black,” Crowley said.
Save the Harbor/Save the Bay Executive Director Chris Mancini said providing experiences like the George’s Island tour is one of the most important things the organization does.
“Our free programs give kids and families who might not otherwise have a chance, the opportunity to experience these beautiful natural resources firsthand,” said Mancini. “We are proud to share our spectacular harbor, beaches, and islands with them.”
Emma Fringuelli can be reached at [email protected].
