Increasing sunlight brought corresponding bright smiles in the form of busloads of kids eager to be on camera, sharing what they'd learned with peers who would soon be watching them in classrooms from all around the country. Our outdoor classroom took on the atmosphere of a bustling, noisy theatre scene complete with stage sets, props, script notes and last minute instructions from the intrepid production crew. This highly professional, friendly threesome made everyone feel as if they were going to be stars in the next Hollywood hit!

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Only the most motivated of students were participating as ambassadors for their school during this once in a lifetime field trip. Sixth graders had competed in an essay contest to win their berth on the program, and middle and high schoolers qualified through being in advanced science classes. Local biologists, oyster growers, estuarine researchers, fishermen and others whose livelihood depends on the health of the estuary, all graciously agreed to spend their morning with these students exploring the estuary together.

"Lights!" "Camera!"

With only one hour to show the world that Tillamook Bay is one of the most beautiful estuaries on the planet, our many hours of research and practice were about to be put to the test when the cameraman signaled for all quiet on the set and called out "Action!" What followed next left no doubt in any viewer's mind that an estuary is one of the most vibrantly alive and fascinating ecosystems on earth.