We wrapped up OWL (Our Whole Lives human sexuality curriculum) with a question and answer session that felt like one of the most valuable components of the whole program. We had cheesecake, and celebrated the youth’s accomplishments in finishing the course.
We had an end-of-the-year cookout at my new home for the youth, with 17 youth in attendance. Apparently, the big cedar tree in my backyard eats balls and frisbees. The fact that it is surrounded by a thick growth of poison ivy provided for an excellent learning opportunity before our trip out to Mammoth Cave National Park; now everyone in the group can identify this hazard. 🙂
Our trip to Mammoth Cave felt like quite a success. We had 12 kids go on the trip, along with Kim Kobersmith, Maggie Park, and myself. The cabins were a bit cramped but fairly comfortable. The campground to which the cabins were attached also had a small waterpark which the kids got to enjoy on Saturday afternoon after the cave tour. The cave tour was awesome. We also went through the museum, which set the scene for our tour down underground.
On Sunday, we packed up camp and drove 2 minutes down the road to the canoe outfitters. The river was beautiful…until the thunderstorm rolled in and we had to take shelter on the bank under some trees. We managed to have some fun even then, watching each other slide around in the mud. My fall that landed me on my backside on a tree root was somehow disproportionately hilarious to the group! We continued our paddle in the rain after the lightning had passed and enjoyed a misty, tree covered, and much cooler river on the second half of the trip.
We got off the water, soaking wet, muddy, but happy. I made the call to slip back over to the bathhouse at the campground to use shower facilities before hitting the road. This meant being 30 minutes late back to Berea, but it was so very much worth it. We ate at Pizza Hut on the way back, had we been in our wet, muddy clothes, I think we would have been asked to leave!
All in all, a great trip. I got enthusiastically positive feedback for all the youth I talked to during and after the trip.
Our next trip is coming up the first weekend in July, which is a mission trip to Highlander Center in TN where we will learn about youth activism, and help out on the farm and grounds.
- The Way of Worship
- From Rev. Kent
- Musical Notes – Piano Fundraiser and Summer Music Program
- Let There Be Light! Sanctuary Light Bulbs To Be Replaced
- Sharing the Stephen Ministry Journey
- News of the Family, Birthdays & Anniversaries
Leave a Reply