Some may wonder how two mermaids made their way to Onset Bay this year, hanging around Wicket’s Island. 

Well, the Buzzards Bay Coalition at the Onset Bay Center has offered on the water programs throughout the summer as well as a variety of on the water rentals. In addition, the coalition’s group of staff have enjoyed passing along their passion for water activities. 

However, two mermaids were added to the program this summer.

Molly Benson, a sophomore at Souhegan High School in Amherst, NH attended the summer sailing program several years ago, learning the basics of sailing Quest Sailboats. 

This year she became a Junior Instructor working with all ages — teaching the skills she had learned. Benson never knew Onset would soon be known to her as her “happy place.”

This summer she and another girl at the camp were asked if they would be mermaids for a new program being offered for the younger set in the afternoons. 

She and friend, Caitlyn Lund, accepted the extra hours and position. 

Lund lives in Rochester and will be a sophomore at Old Rochester Regional High School. 

Once the program began,the rest was history as they turned into mermaids several times a week for the "Mermaid Mission.”

The coalition reports this is no easy job — physically swimming in the ocean with legs wrapped in a tail can be overwhelming, moving on land impossible. 

Both girls mastered it and enjoyed the opportunity to greet the young children as they sailed by as well as any other boats that happened by. 

Mermaids are a bit unusual in Onset Bay, so this turned into a great photo opt as well.

The coalition shared that the girls will be back next summer doing what they love with the local children who attend the programs offered at the Onset Bay Center.