Getting a feel for sea life

A 20-foot golden whale floating through the Back Bay can only mean one thing: the start of summer.

On Friday, about 50 visually impaired 5- and 6-year-olds from the Blind Children’s Learning Center helped the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort launch Moe B. Dunes, the resort’s brilliantly gold mascot. From sand to sea, the kids guided Dunes’ path to the water in his annual swim.

The whale’s shimmer only made sense because this year’s launch marked the resort’s 50th, or gold, anniversary.

The kids weren’t there to just help Moe B. Dunes hit the water though, there was also a lesson in the field trip.

The youngsters were given a special lesson on sharks.

Thanks to the Back Bay Science Center the kids used their sense of touch to examine shark skin, teeth and jaws.

— Joseph Serna