OUTLET: The Beacon

By Selene D. Guerrero, Correspondent

Jani Robinson, 10, hit the wooden croquet ball through the wicket embedded in the soft green at Westminster-
Canterbury on Shore Drive.

Her instructor, Mary Mc-Guire, applauded.

“I’ve never played,” the fifth-grader said. “I’ve only seen it played on ‘Alice in Wonderland.’ ”

McGuire, a resident and croquet player, giggled after Robinson called the sport “awesome.”
The retirement community on the Chesapeake Bay hosted the graduating Seatack Elementary fifth-grade class
for a day of bocce, croquet and beach time.

The June 10 event kicked off at 10 a.m. and ended with lunch served indoors for the students.
“Our residents love to be involved in the community,” said Liz White, resident life director. “Some are retired
teachers and they enjoy being able to know they are still giving back and helping kids.”
Many of the students have no experience with bocce or croquet and many come from disadvantaged
backgrounds.

The students learned about the sports in March when some residents attended their physical education class
and taught them the basics. Students had been honing their skills for the recent event and looking forward to
playing on the Chesapeake Bay beach.

Mary Daniels, principal at Seatack Elementary School, said students have been learning about the difference
between the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay.

At Westminster-Canterbury, the children broke up into three large groups and rotated between free play on the
beach, bocce and croquet.

Robinson paused before she hit the ball and looked out at the water. It was her first time visiting the
Chesapeake Bay.

“I’d like to play here again,” she said. “This beach is way nicer than the oceanfront. It’s beautiful here.”
White said they hope to partner with the school in the future and make it an annual event.

“They’re having a blast, and it’s amazing after a few times throwing down the ball, they have it down,” said Ellen
Stottin, resident.