Program Content - From the
moment participants arrive at the lighthouse at 6:00 p.m., they
are encouraged to address each other in the traditional manner of
the early 20th century. They are asked to call each other "Keeper
…" (i.e., Keeper Jane, Keeper Tom) throughout the night.
After dinner, the head "Keeper" (the program instructor)
guides the new "keepers" through a detailed tour of the
Hooper Strait Lighthouse.
Participants
"officially" enter through the sea hatch to begin learning
about the lifestyle of lighthouse keepers including how they got
supplies and drinking water, how they maintained and cleaned the
lighthouse lenses, and why lighthouses were such important navigational
aids. After a break, the group reconvenes in the lighthouse keeper's
office. There they are divided into "watches," or shifts,
and are told of the traditional keeper's duties that they are expected
to perform while on watch. These include learning and keeping nautical
time, cleaning and polishing, and recording in a log book all weather
conditions, vessel passages, and other activity on the grounds near
the lighthouse. The groups are also sent on an informational lighthouse
scavenger hunt.
Finally, participants take and sign the lighthouse keeper's oath
of office and are inducted as keepers for the evening watches until
11:30 p.m. All groups strive to receive positive inspections and
take their responsibility for the safety and care of the lighthouse
very seriously. At 7:30 a.m., after a brief closing ceremony, the
group leaves and the program ends.
Participants
"officially" enter through the sea hatch to begin learning
about the lifestyle of lighthouse keepers including how they got
supplies and drinking water, how they maintained and cleaned the
lighthouse lenses, and why lighthouses were such important navigational
aids. After a break, the group reconvenes in the lighthouse keeper's
office. There they are divided into "watches," or shifts,
and are told of the traditional keeper's duties that they are expected
to perform while on watch. These include learning and keeping nautical
time, cleaning and polishing, and recording in a log book all weather
conditions, vessel passages, and other activity on the grounds near
the lighthouse. The groups are also sent on an informational lighthouse
scavenger hunt. 
