Day trip to Penikese Island (9am-4pm): TBA
You will be living on Penikese Island: TBA
You will travel between MBL and Penikese Island by boat. The trip is approximately one hour each way, and it's a very scenic trip!
Days are spent outside doing fieldwork and working on projects. Three meals per day are prepared by an Island Steward living on the island with you - students help with meal prep and cleanup. Snacks are always readily available.
Your home base is a large cabin on the island, which you can view in this quick video. The cabin is powered by solar panels on the roof, and electrical outlets are only available in a small office space. I reccommend bringing a rechargable battery (or two) which you can keep plugged in and charging during the day, and then plug into your phone at night. The cabin is very dark at night, so make sure to bring a flashlight and/or headlamp. Your professor, Dr. Larsen, usually brings a large solar battery, which you can use to charge laptops. Penikese does have wifi, and there is a decent cell signal throughout most of the island, so you aren't totally off the grid!
Restrooms are composting toilets, which are located just outside of the cabin. There is one shower, in the basement of the cabin which does have hot water. The basement floor is not pristine, so shower shoes are highly reccommended!
Unless told otherwise by the Island Steward, do not drink the tap water. Drinking water will be provided for you!
Collapsible Duffel Bag (In order to save space in the cabin, we ask that you pack your items for the island in a collapsible duffel bag. You can leave your rolling suitcases and any other items you don't need in your rooms at MBL).
sleeping bag or warm blanket
bottom sheet (fitted sheet or regular – twin size or larger)
pillowcase
- the only bedding provided on the island will be a bare twin-size mattress and pillow
- water bottle
- small toiletries (mini-toothpaste, small containers for body wash, etc)
- digital watch (should be waterproof; make sure you bring the watch instructions with you; do not set any alarms!)
- flashlight or headlamp (preferably with red-light capability)
- quick-dry towel (for drying off after showers)
- shower shoes (trust me you'll want them)
- complete waterproof outer layer (hooded jacket and pants; must be large enough to fit over layers of warm clothing)
- long sleeves and long pants for field work (aim for light, breathable fabrics that you are comfortable in!)
- polarized sun glasses (lanyard is recommended - it's how ecologists do it!)
- hiking boots or sturdy gym shoes (For fieldwork around the island and in Woods Hole. I highly reccommend waterproof hiking boots).
- water shoes (the cheap kind that look like little socks - they typically cost about $15)
- a myriad of layers (prepare for all possible weather, from extremely hot and sunny → cold, rainy, and windy)
- warm coat and pants (something warm that you can wear underneath your waterproof layer)
- charger and extra battery charger for your cell phone (there is only one room with electrical outlets, and it's not your bedrooms!)
*Waders (for pond work) are provided by the program! So no need to purchase those.
View photos of Penikese Island, including the cabin you will be living in, HERE!
Learn more about Penikse Island on their website!