Buddy Day Joy

Can you imagine living in southwest Florida and never going to the beach or searching for shells? For those of us who love shelling, that’s almost impossible to picture! But on Presidents’ Day, more than 100 second-grade students from Immokalee, Florida, who participate in the Guadalupe Center’s After-School Tutoring Program, got to do just that—many of them seeing the beach for the very first time. Their destination? The beautiful shoreline of Hideaway Beach on Marco Island.

Thanks to the Beach Club’s strong belief in investing in the next generation, this special day happens each year. Buddy Day is all about celebrating the students’ hard work in school while giving them the chance to meet mentors and “big buddies,” enjoy hands-on learning, and—most importantly—have a whole lot of fun.

One of the highlights of the day was the Marco Island Shell Club, a proud sponsoring organization. Club members were thrilled to introduce the students to the world of shelling. Some children held shells for the first time as they searched the sand for treasures thoughtfully seeded by club members. Along the way, they learned the names of popular local shells, how shells are formed, and what makes each one special. The students were especially amazed by the size of the horse conch—and loved discovering that it’s Florida’s state shell! They even listened to the “sound of the sea” by holding a horse conch up to their ears and had the chance to gently hold several different types of starfish.

Once the lesson wrapped up, it was time for the real adventure. With bags in hand, the students raced onto the beach, eager to find the shells they had just learned about. A shell-identification flyer helped them match their discoveries, learn fun facts, and even practice spelling the shell names. For children who had never seen a beach sprinkled with shells, it was pure magic.

They say Buddy Day is for the kids—but anyone watching could see that the adults were having just as much fun. Members of the Marco Island Shell Club, along with the many mentors and big buddies, loved sharing their knowledge and seeing the excitement light up the students’ faces with each new discovery. The Shell Club is proud to partner with Hideaway Beach in bringing curiosity, learning, and joy to everyone involved in Buddy Day. A heartfelt thank you to Hideaway Beach, the Marco Island Shell Club, the Beach Club, and the many mentors and big buddies who helped make Buddy Day so special. Because of your generosity, enthusiasm, and love of learning, these students experienced a day filled with discovery, laughter, and unforgettable memories by the sea.

To learn about other events the Marco Island Shell Club participates in, check out our website www.marcoislandshellclub.com or our Facebook page MarcoIsland_ShellClub.

Also, don't forget about our annual Spring Expo and Shell Art Sale on Friday and Saturday, March 13 and 14, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Admission is open to the public with a $3 donation, making this an affordable and memorable experience for families, friends, seasonal residents, and visitors looking for something special to do on Marco Island. The Spring Expo and Shell Art Sale is at New Life Community Church, 489 West Elkcam Circle, Marco Island.