California
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July 24, 2023
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The entire Summer Program poses for a photo afront the dolphin statue

 

With an exciting Saturday behind them, the California High School Summer Program kept the good times rolling with a full Sunday — this time, a little ways north in Santa Barbara. After the morning’s Masses, brunch, and study hall, students grabbed their day bags and swimsuits, then loaded into several chartered buses for the day’s adventure.

From there followed a 40-mile journey up the California coast to the Carpinteria State Beach, where the College contingent arrived beneath a shining sun. Students who had never seen the ocean before — and even those who had — marveled at the blue horizon stretching on and on, waves sent from beyond meeting the shore. The group set up camp under canopies and atop towels with plenty of water and snacks to go along. Programmers then dispersed to make the most of the beach — swimming, volleyball, spike ball, sno-cones, and even naps kept everyone busy throughout the early afternoon.

Beach
  • A student buried to the neck in sand gives a thumbs-up
  • Three pose together
  • Two pose together
  • Several play Spikeball
  • One grabs another by the shoulders
  • Four pose together
  • A student upside-down, midway through a 360 backflip
  • Several look at something out of frame
  • Four chat at the water's edge
  • Students pass a football in the water
  • Three pose together
  • Several play volleyball
  • Two high-five afront the net
  • Four pose together
  • Two pose together
  • Two on the beach smile for the camera

When they had their fill of surf, sun, and sand, students reboarded their rides to head to State Street — the heart of downtown Santa Barbara’s entertainment and retail district, with a pedestrian-friendly road that rolls down hills until it meets the pier, shops and restaurants lining either side. Prefect-led groups set off along the street, eager for what they might find.

Students dined on sunny patios beneath vine-covered trellises in Mediterranean-styled restaurants, enjoying a wide variety of cuisines: Italian, Mexican, Japanese, and more. One group found a Turkish dessert and coffee shop, enjoying baklava and Turkish coffee. Many delighted in ice cream while live music played along the street. Some groups went shopping, coming away with bucket hats, novelty socks, and even a pair of matching, hot-pink blazers!

State Street
  • Nine pose together
  • Three pose in a red telephone booth
  • Five pose together
  • Nine pose together
  • Six at a restaurant table around a pizza
  • Two shop for clothes
  • Seven at an outdoor lunch table
  • Thirteen pose together
  • Nine pose together
  • Four pose together
  • Nine pose together at an outdoor table
  • Several walk together
  • Many pose on the street
  • Two men in hot pink sports jackets chat
  • Several pose together on a bench
  • Several pose together afront a dolphin statue
  • Another group of students afront the statue

As the evening began its approach, the groups convened at the Santa Barbara pier in front of a huge fountain topped with dolphin statues. The 170-odd-member delegation crammed in for a photo, to its own amazement and that of passersby. The occasion commemorated, it was time to return to campus.

The drive back to Santa Paula was marked with Rosaries, conversation, and dozing — mostly in that order. Sleepy smiles and tanned faces reflected a day well spent. Once back, students mingled in their residence halls before calling it a night.

Classes resume this morning, where students will dig into Boethius and have their first encounter with Euclid’s Elements. We will have a full report this afternoon, here on the Summer Program Blog!