Thursday Morning

I have to start with yesterday since there was no time to write about it last night. The hike was awesome. Some of the groups hiked into the woods and roasted marshmallows. Others found beaver dams and other signs of animals, and yet others just hiked and hiked and hiked and hiked for 3 hours. They were cold when they came back, but some of the boys wanted to stay outside and play basketball. The high yesterday was 27 degrees and windy. We had pizza for dinner. It was pretty good. The boys are playing a killer game of UNO Attack. It was a nail biter.

Last night was incredible. All the children had nothing but good things to say about the Underground Railroad activity. It gave them an inside view about what happened during the slavery period in the US colonies. They played the roles of slaves being transported to the colonies and then bought and brought to a plantation. The chaperones were the conductors on the Underground Railroad and brought them to freedom in Canada. Along the way we had to collect red, white, blue, and yellow cards. During our “journey” we encountered bounty hunters, sheriffs, and land owners (the counselors) looking for slaves. They interrogated us as to why we were out late at night and traveling north. Mr. Whittier told them we were hauling cottage cheese to the rich folks in New England and we needed to travel at night because of the cool temperatures.

However, the goal was for the kids learn how slavery and bullying are similar. The counselors did a great job at relating the two in ways the kids understood. I am certain they will tell you all about it.

Mrs. Graul finally made it at about 6:45 after a dark trip. This place is not easy to find in the dark considering there are no street lights.

We had french toast and sausage for breakfast with a little Black Sabbath "Iron Man" thrown in to wake them up. LOL. They are now on their field groups either doing activities or hiking around the property. Later

they are playing a big game of tag called Predator vs. Prey. This is a great game.

The chaperones are beginning to become a little weary. All except Mrs. Powers who came up yesterday. She is however, realizing what it is like to have sixteen girls in one cabin. FUN!!!

Yes, I am doing the ORT Report dance.

PS. The kids are saying they don't want to come home.