First Day Field Trip... Here we go!

We started early this year. Our first class trip (Introduction/Motivation) started out a little chilly... and a little drizzley! I had hoped that August would have perfect weather for our trip... on the Sternwheeler Columbia Gorge! Alas, we don't always get what we want... more on that later!

We went to the Waucoma Center - Home of Embarq. While we were there we also took some time to get to know each other... it's a new class, after all! On the bus trip to Embarq, everyone sat with someone they didn't know very well with the goal of becoming familiar enough with "our Partner' to introduce them to the entire group! Since it was then end of summer, we found out what everybody had done over the break. It was interesting to hear about all the fun activities that summer affords us in this beautiful part of the country. Fortunately, this class activity day was just an extension of summer with a little educational component thrown in... kinda like a warm-up for school! Then, we played Cultural Bingo and learned even more... who likes to cook Italian food, write poetry, dance, etc. Kids are so resourceful... they worked together to help each other fill their Bingo cards. It wasn't about winning (or losing) - it was about getting to know each other!

On to the Dean Building which, among other things, houses the Embarq Central office. It was like being inside a huge computer! Wires, cables, connectors everywhere. Two of the Central Office Technicians toured us around the battery array, the cable vault and showed us where voice mail "lives". It was pretty cool but, we had to cut it short... we had a boat to catch!

Ah, yes! The boat! Here is where we learn about the importance of clear communication. (reference "we can't always get what we want") Apparently, there had been a change in the cruise schedule between the time the arrangements were made and the actual day of our trip... suffice it to say we didn't MISS the boat, it missed us?! Have no fear - all was not lost - One of the kids works on the Sternwheeler so he took us on a tour of the boat - Levi, our hero!

We still had some small group activities to complete so we went back in to the Port building, divided into groups of 4 and proceeded to create our Leadership Crests, showcasing the qualities of a good leader. What a creative group! These are not your typical Leadership Crests... these have a certain feeling, dare I say passion, about them! And even though we didn't get to cruise, the kids were great, flexible and responsive... It's going to be a great year!