On Sept. 13, thirteen sophomores from Girl Scout Troop 33521 set out on kayaks from Nick’s Cove to Marshall Beach, traveling three miles past Hog Island in Tomales Bay with guides from Blue Water Kayak. They had been planning this trip for weeks and were excited to see the seasonal bioluminescence during their camping trip. With bags strapped onto the front and back of dual kayaks and food and tents piled into a small motorboat, they pushed off into the cold water for a long paddle.. When they finally reached the campsite, they set up their tents and changed into their swimwear, spending the rest of the day together exploring the shore, building sand castles, wading in the water, and playing Uno.
The scouts waited for darkness to fall so that they could see the famed bioluminescence of Tomales Bay. The bioluminescence comes from single-celled organisms called dinoflagellates. This phenomenon occurs during the summer, becoming visible to the human eye when agitated in the dark of the night. At first it was difficult to see the bioluminescence, but sounds of excitement filled the air as the water around their paddles lit up with sparkles and swirls. Paddling through the water created exciting splashes of light, and the hull of the kayak created beautiful ribbons. Little particles lit up with the movement of the water, emitting a blue glow for a few short seconds. A few scouts braved the cold waters of the bay and swam in the glittering waters.
Tristen Milsum (left), Emme Scott, Chloe Hong, and Kaya Kothari get ready to go kayaking 
Ava Casalaina (left) and Mira Sen partner up to kayak across the bay 
Charlotte Zhang (left), Mina Herrgott, and Emme Scott shuck Tomales Bay oysters. 
Josie Schuetz (left), Rose Reining, and Charlotte Zhang make breakfast on the beach
The next morning, a few of the scouts tried stand-up paddle boarding, while others painted with watercolors. Once they were done packing, they set off onto the water again for another two hours of kayaking across the bay. Armed with newfound memories and ridiculously tired muscles, the Girl Scouts concluded their adventure in Tomales Bay.