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Cape Cod . . . Nature's gift for summer in New England
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Cape Cod is a sea-swept peninsula that juts 70 miles into the Atlantic. With its 300 miles of sandy beaches and dunes, the Cape provides an enchantment unparalleled in North America. Its natural beauty has attracted visitors to its shores for generations.
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The Whales
Just off the Cape lies Stellwagen Bank, a shallow undersea area rich in plant life. Here, whales, porpoises, and seals feed during the summer months, and no trip to the Cape is complete without an excursion to see them.
A whale watch trip will be coordinated for interested symposium participants and their guests. The excursion usually lasts about four hours. In that span you can expect to see dozens of nature’s largest ocean dwellers. The whales will play with the boat, seeming to come close enough to touch. It is truly an unforgettable experience. Be sure to bring your camera!
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Cape Cod's Enchanting Beaches
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 In 1961, the United States Congress, to recognize a piece of American heritage, set aside most of the outer Cape as National Seashore. This 40-mile stretch of beach and marsh has some of the most beautiful and best-preserved oceanside in the nation.
The National Seashore is best enjoyed by taking the time to let the environment work its magic on you. At the Salt Pond Center in Eastham, the National Park Service offers exhibits on the natural history of the area and trails through Nauset Marsh. Further north, at Marconi Beach, you can tour the Marconi Wireless Station, the first large radio transmitter in the United States. From Marconi you can view both the Cape's bayside and oceanside. The Visitor's Center at Province Lands offers exhibits and trails through the famed sand dunes of the outer Cape.
The quaint seafaring communities of the outer Cape offer spectacular beaches for your enjoyment. Fresh water swimming is available in a number of inland ponds located throughout the Cape. For the adventuresome, sailboats and kayaks may be rented in a number of Cape towns for use on the bayside, oceanside, or inland ponds.
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Hiking and Biking
 The land behind the water's edge is some of the most beautiful in the world. Trails meander through massive dunes where there is a wealth of unusual plant and animal life. It is a naturalist's paradise.
There are maps for self-guided nature trail walks at the information centers, the longest being the walk on the Great Island Trail in Wellfleet. All the trails provide a pleasant, easy, and informative walk.
In Provincetown, Eastham and Orleans you may rent a bicycle for a ride along the Seashore. There are surfaced trails in Orleans, Eastham, Wellfleet, North Truro, and Provincetown.
Cape Cod . . . A Child's Dream
The Cape offers a magical experience for children of all ages. For the preschooler, the world can become a sand castle with its towers and walls surrounded by a salt water moat. Older children can bike, windsurf, or simply "catch some rays."
Many town libraries offer special programs such as story hours and special exhibits. Orleans and Chatham present concerts on the green, and there are puppet shows and museums in Brewster and Provincetown. A pirate adventure or seal tour is sure to enchant your child.
There are always the pristine beaches and ponds for swimming, sunning, and collecting shells. Because the Cape is one of the few land masses on the Atlantic with a shore facing the west, children are often amazed as they witness the sun silently slipping into the sea.
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