Everson Elementary students take a field trip to Semiahmoo

By Stefanie Donahue

Inquisitive fourth graders from Everson Elementary got the chance to hop aboard the historic Plover ferry, visit the Alaska Packers Association Cannery Museum and explore the Semiahmoo shore during a field trip on June 7.

The day-long excursion was led by the folks at Blaine-based nonprofit Drayton Harbor Maritime (DHM) with assistance from Everson Elementary School teacher Lisa Shafer and a team of chaperones. The fourth graders were broken up into three crews and each stopped by locations in Semiahmoo to absorb its beauty and history.

DHM Director Richard Sturgill explains to Everson Elementary students the history and of the APA Museum’s NN 79 Bristol Bay sailboat. Many were made at the former Alaska Packers Association’s salmon cannery at Semiahmoo. Photo courtesy of Richard Sturgill.

The students took an interpretive cruise on the historic Plover ferry; one group caught a glimpse of harbor seals and bald eagles. The second group learned about the history of the local commercial salmon industry from DHM director Richard Sturgill at the Alaska Packers Association Cannery Museum. Artifacts, including a historic sailboat used at the Alaska Packers Association Diamond NN Cannery in Nanek, were on display. The third group stopped by Tongue Point, Semiahmoo to explore.

In partnership with Whatcom County Parks and Recreation and with assistance from volunteers, DHM has operated the Alaska Packers Association Cannery Museum for 20 years.

Volunteers with the organization also operate the historic Plover ferry, which opened on Memorial Day and runs through Labor Day, Friday and Saturday noon to 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It departs on the hour from the Blaine Harbor Visitor’s Dock and on the half hour from the Plover dock at Semiahmoo Resort.

To learn more, visit draytonharbormaritime.com.