A Day for a Child

Yesterday we really out kidded ourselves. We all had a blast doing just kid stuff. We packed a kid lunch and took off on a kid style excursion – Miss Sandy’s bus. Every child I know likes the bus trip almost better than the field trip proper.

We went rock climbing at Garden of the Gods. I know it’s the new no no place because last year some kid fell. But he was with one of the Y groups, and they employ teens. Instead, we have rock climbing adults who have been trained in repelling. Miss Molly was a volunteer fire fighter and was trained by the department in rock climbing. She loved the sport.

Miss Molly, Mr. Tom, Miss Rachel, Miss Stacy and the Gentlemen fathers who came along, scaled some rugged territory and took every single child along to the top of the overhang where they got a great view and an adventure of a lifetime. Then they forged ahead through the poison oak, and shimmied down between the rocks back to the path.

Then, we were off to the lake. Every child waded up to his neck and then some. They had a real “swimming hole” adventure in the lake. It was warm, had a sandy bottom, and was shallow about 1/3 of the way across. The kids could have swum till dark. Lake water is easier to swim in than pool water, and the kids found their acrobatics a lot easier.

We literally dragged them out for lunch with the cries and pleas, “Can’t we go back; do we have to eat; can’t we swim again?”

The answer was, “We can’t take you for ice cream soaking wet.”

After lunch, we all headed back to EVV and stopped in Mount Vernon for ice cream sundaes. Morgen ate three probably because she threw her sandwich into the woods. She likes to share with the raccoons!

By the time we got home, the kids were pleasantly tired. They played beautifully the rest of the day. Edith and I went home to an early bedtime, Molly and the girls had a night on the town.

It was voted most popular trip. I don’t know a single other school that would allow any of the above, but we think these are learning experiences the children shouldn’t miss. They are child appropriate and pure fun, and our staff is in great shape, so why not enjoy it.

Miss Molly thought a family day up at the lake before summer ends would be a great day. The bus seats 55. It’s a 2 hour trip by bus, and a 1.5 hour trip by car if you drive like Miss Molly. Any suggestions?