05/19/2026
Jekyll Island Expedition update from Principal Mike Zitzer:
"This year we decided to leave a little earlier in hopes of making great time and arriving at Georgia 4-H at Camp Jekyll with enough time for students to settle in before lunch and our afternoon sessions. Thanks to all of you for getting students to Launch on time and helping us start the week smoothly. Launch ran incredibly well, we left right on schedule, and made it to Camp Jekyll shortly after 10:00 am. Honestly, this may have been the smoothest arrival we’ve ever had.
Even after a 16+ hour bus ride, students hit the ground running on Monday. We spent the afternoon getting acquainted with campus, beginning our first sessions, and almost every student was able to make it to the beach. It was more of a “dip our toe in” kind of day, but on Tuesday, students will jump fully into a full day of learning and field experiences.
One of my favorite parts of the day was hearing and seeing students engage with the content as scientists, conservationists, and ecologists. You can already see how two years of expeditions at MRH have prepared them to ask questions, make observations, and fully participate in experiences like this. Students weren’t just going through the motions. They were genuinely engaged.
You could also feel the excitement building as we got closer to the island. Students were obviously ready to get off the bus, but more importantly, they were excited for everything this week represents. When we collected devices, a few students told others, “They just don’t understand how great it is to have a phone-free week.” They remembered the friendships, memories, and experiences they had during Touch of Nature last year and recognized that being present is part of what makes weeks like this meaningful.
I don’t know that I could ask for a better mindset heading into the week. I look forward to sharing updates and photos with you each evening so you can experience a little bit of the week alongside us."
