If a picture is worth a 1000 words...
...then what are these worth?!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Day 2 - Let's Dance! - May 28
We chaperones are sitting around tables in the Comfort Inn here in Lake Placid watching your kiddos having a good time. Here are few samples...
If a picture is worth a 1000 words...
...then what are these worth?!
If a picture is worth a 1000 words...
...then what are these worth?!
Day 2 - Singin' in the Rain (and lovin' it!) - May 28
Thursday Blog Day 2
Well, this is no shortage of water in the Adirondacks and the fire index certainly must be “low” because it rained just about the whole day today. In spite of the weather, we are having a great time and they are not even complaining. (This is very odd.)
We awoke this morning to pouring rain but we had a great breakfast overlooking the misty Lake George. We checked them out of their rooms and were pleased to see how well they listened to our request to be good guests. Many of the students even made the beds, not sure that happens at home.
We headed out to Natural Stone Bridge and Caves and arrived in the pouring rain. This was a little challenging as we go on a tricky nature trail over rocks, roots, bridges and ledges. This is a magnificent example of erosion and natural weathering. The owners have had this property in the family for over two hundred years as the land was granted to them for service in the Civil War. This is the home of the largest natural marble cave in America. The river was very high and it disappears into the ground in the cave. It demonstrates the power of water and how it shapes the land and even carves stone. Many of the students bought geodes (fast cooling on the outside and slow cooling on the inside which creates crystals) which they have “popped” to expose the surprise inside. If you were lucky enough to receive a gift, it probably came from here.
We left for the Wild Center passing along the way the Lake Placid Olympic Complex and all the sports facilities which are still in use today. The Wild Center is a beautiful museum near Tupper Lake. It was designed by architects to be “green” complete with a moss roof and composting toilets. The designers knew how to engage visitors and make it aesthetically beautiful. We first enjoyed a wonderful film entitled “A Matter of Degrees” which taught us that all of the ice ages and changes in climate only differed by 9 degrees as the Earth’s orbit changed just a little. Glaciers and animal species came and went with only a slight adjustment in temperature. It was a very compelling story. We had a great lunch and had a porcupine and snake encounter. In our groups we toured the museum which is set up in a series of eco and animal systems. We enjoyed watching the otters and the trout in their natural habitats. We worked through a scavenger hunt prepared by Mrs. Ciarametaro which helped focus us on specific content we wanted them to learn.
We drove back to the Lake Placid area and checked into the Comfort Inn. We decided to let them enjoy the indoor pool to relax a little before we had dinner at 6:30. We have hired a disc jockey from 7-10 to spin and manage the karaoke at the last grade 8 dance. The chaperones always pick a cool song to sing and no matter how bad we are—they always cheer for us. It will end tonight with Stairway to Heaven and this last phase of their grade 8 experience is coming to an end.
We will tape them in at 10PM and leave in the morning for Ausable Chasm which also brings us through a 2 mile nature walk along the chasm walls. We hope the water level will be right for the raft ride out of the chasm as we are looking forward to that. We will ferry over to the Vermont side and head for Ben and Jerry’s. We expect to be home around 5:30 and pick up will be at the Doyon School. It has been a total pleasure to celebrate with this wonderful class of young people. Everywhere we have been there are unsolicited comments from the managers expressing how impressed they are with their behavior and the respect they show at all times. You have done a great job as parents and we will miss them as a class as they move on to their next four years of school.
“Making a Difference” starts at the Ipswich Middle School.
For all the damp chaperones,
Cheryl Forster
Well, this is no shortage of water in the Adirondacks and the fire index certainly must be “low” because it rained just about the whole day today. In spite of the weather, we are having a great time and they are not even complaining. (This is very odd.)
We awoke this morning to pouring rain but we had a great breakfast overlooking the misty Lake George. We checked them out of their rooms and were pleased to see how well they listened to our request to be good guests. Many of the students even made the beds, not sure that happens at home.
We headed out to Natural Stone Bridge and Caves and arrived in the pouring rain. This was a little challenging as we go on a tricky nature trail over rocks, roots, bridges and ledges. This is a magnificent example of erosion and natural weathering. The owners have had this property in the family for over two hundred years as the land was granted to them for service in the Civil War. This is the home of the largest natural marble cave in America. The river was very high and it disappears into the ground in the cave. It demonstrates the power of water and how it shapes the land and even carves stone. Many of the students bought geodes (fast cooling on the outside and slow cooling on the inside which creates crystals) which they have “popped” to expose the surprise inside. If you were lucky enough to receive a gift, it probably came from here.
We left for the Wild Center passing along the way the Lake Placid Olympic Complex and all the sports facilities which are still in use today. The Wild Center is a beautiful museum near Tupper Lake. It was designed by architects to be “green” complete with a moss roof and composting toilets. The designers knew how to engage visitors and make it aesthetically beautiful. We first enjoyed a wonderful film entitled “A Matter of Degrees” which taught us that all of the ice ages and changes in climate only differed by 9 degrees as the Earth’s orbit changed just a little. Glaciers and animal species came and went with only a slight adjustment in temperature. It was a very compelling story. We had a great lunch and had a porcupine and snake encounter. In our groups we toured the museum which is set up in a series of eco and animal systems. We enjoyed watching the otters and the trout in their natural habitats. We worked through a scavenger hunt prepared by Mrs. Ciarametaro which helped focus us on specific content we wanted them to learn.
We drove back to the Lake Placid area and checked into the Comfort Inn. We decided to let them enjoy the indoor pool to relax a little before we had dinner at 6:30. We have hired a disc jockey from 7-10 to spin and manage the karaoke at the last grade 8 dance. The chaperones always pick a cool song to sing and no matter how bad we are—they always cheer for us. It will end tonight with Stairway to Heaven and this last phase of their grade 8 experience is coming to an end.
We will tape them in at 10PM and leave in the morning for Ausable Chasm which also brings us through a 2 mile nature walk along the chasm walls. We hope the water level will be right for the raft ride out of the chasm as we are looking forward to that. We will ferry over to the Vermont side and head for Ben and Jerry’s. We expect to be home around 5:30 and pick up will be at the Doyon School. It has been a total pleasure to celebrate with this wonderful class of young people. Everywhere we have been there are unsolicited comments from the managers expressing how impressed they are with their behavior and the respect they show at all times. You have done a great job as parents and we will miss them as a class as they move on to their next four years of school.
“Making a Difference” starts at the Ipswich Middle School.
For all the damp chaperones,
Cheryl Forster
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Day 1 - Cool, Dark, Wet, and AWESOME!
Greetings Grade 8 Parents:
Well, stop worrying. We are having a blast. We managed to leave this morning by 6:40 which was not bad considering we were traveling with 179 damp kids and anxious chaperones. The traffic was very slow when we headed down 95—bumper to bumper all through the Waltham/Lexington area. It rained or drizzled just about the entire way which was a little disheartening and we were initially worried if it would ruin our long awaited trip. Fear not---we had an awesome day.
Our first stop was Howe Caverns where we first warn them to layer up as 52 degrees is cold when you are in a cave for over an hour. We descended on elevators down 16 stories to the cave entrance. We were in groups of 20 and we learned all about how the caves were formed, calcite which creates the stalactites and stalagmites and the river which runs through the cave and mysteriously disappears. The lighting makes it a bit eerie and the bats live on the other side of the cave. The guides always tell a “mouse” story about how a boy scout brought his pet mouse into the cave and it jumped to the wall and froze there. Just about all of them believe it for at least 15 seconds. We boarded flat bottom boats and “poled” down the river. You can hear a waterfall and everyone thought we were going to go over but they stop you (in the dark) just before the falls. This also adds a little bit of drama to the trip. We ate lunch outside on picnic tables and then headed out for our raft trip. The ride from Howe was about 2 hours.
We arrived late for our rafting experience and it was lightly misting. No problem. All 179 of us piled out of the buses and in an organized chaos fashion we shouted orders to put on a neoprene wet suit top, a life jacket, grab a paddle and head for a raft. Guides were imported from other Hudson River Raft sites and were eager to get us into the water. We were about to raft the “middle section” of the Hudson, not the Sacandaga as was previously planned. This was supposed to be longer—and it was. We pushed off shore and put 19 rafts into action. We had no idea what we were in for as we all tried to figure out how to paddle together in one direction. The river guides were very patient and seemed to enjoy our unbridled enthusiasm. Like little ducks we all headed down the Hudson and were immediately hung up on countless rocks, some more like ledges, accompanied by screaming girls and smiling boys. Brittney Potter fell out of our raft still smiling as we hoisted her back in by her life jacket. The guide in one boat fell out and our own Tina Ciarametaro took the helm, shouted orders as the new captain in command, and rescued their guide and got her back in the raft. It is never a good thing when the raft guide falls out. Many rafts lost a person here and there but it was all in fun and everyone was safe. There were many “ramming: events and huge splash battles and everyone totally enjoyed the two hours in the water. The light drizzle did not dampen our spirits.
Our ride to the Georgian Motel in Lake George was thankfully a quick one as we were all wet. Check in was without a hitch and we got them settled, quick showered and we were gone again by 7:30PM. A short ride brought us to the Fun Spot—a cool place if you are 14. We have the whole complex to ourselves and it includes unlimited miniature golf, go carts, obstacle course, laser tag, in line skating, and games. The food was delicious and they ate plenty as they had really worked off lunch on the river. We are finishing up here and we will “tape them in” by 10:30, and leave the security guards on duty for the night. Wake up is at 6AM, breakfast will be at 7 and then we will head to Natural Stone Bridge and Caves and then to the Wild Center as he head deeper into the Adirondacks..
The students have been absolutely wonderful-- helpful and respectful and we are totally enjoying our time with every one of them. Sleep well, we will. We hope you enjoy the pictures.
Cheryl Forster and all the chaperones
Well, stop worrying. We are having a blast. We managed to leave this morning by 6:40 which was not bad considering we were traveling with 179 damp kids and anxious chaperones. The traffic was very slow when we headed down 95—bumper to bumper all through the Waltham/Lexington area. It rained or drizzled just about the entire way which was a little disheartening and we were initially worried if it would ruin our long awaited trip. Fear not---we had an awesome day.
Our first stop was Howe Caverns where we first warn them to layer up as 52 degrees is cold when you are in a cave for over an hour. We descended on elevators down 16 stories to the cave entrance. We were in groups of 20 and we learned all about how the caves were formed, calcite which creates the stalactites and stalagmites and the river which runs through the cave and mysteriously disappears. The lighting makes it a bit eerie and the bats live on the other side of the cave. The guides always tell a “mouse” story about how a boy scout brought his pet mouse into the cave and it jumped to the wall and froze there. Just about all of them believe it for at least 15 seconds. We boarded flat bottom boats and “poled” down the river. You can hear a waterfall and everyone thought we were going to go over but they stop you (in the dark) just before the falls. This also adds a little bit of drama to the trip. We ate lunch outside on picnic tables and then headed out for our raft trip. The ride from Howe was about 2 hours.
We arrived late for our rafting experience and it was lightly misting. No problem. All 179 of us piled out of the buses and in an organized chaos fashion we shouted orders to put on a neoprene wet suit top, a life jacket, grab a paddle and head for a raft. Guides were imported from other Hudson River Raft sites and were eager to get us into the water. We were about to raft the “middle section” of the Hudson, not the Sacandaga as was previously planned. This was supposed to be longer—and it was. We pushed off shore and put 19 rafts into action. We had no idea what we were in for as we all tried to figure out how to paddle together in one direction. The river guides were very patient and seemed to enjoy our unbridled enthusiasm. Like little ducks we all headed down the Hudson and were immediately hung up on countless rocks, some more like ledges, accompanied by screaming girls and smiling boys. Brittney Potter fell out of our raft still smiling as we hoisted her back in by her life jacket. The guide in one boat fell out and our own Tina Ciarametaro took the helm, shouted orders as the new captain in command, and rescued their guide and got her back in the raft. It is never a good thing when the raft guide falls out. Many rafts lost a person here and there but it was all in fun and everyone was safe. There were many “ramming: events and huge splash battles and everyone totally enjoyed the two hours in the water. The light drizzle did not dampen our spirits.
Our ride to the Georgian Motel in Lake George was thankfully a quick one as we were all wet. Check in was without a hitch and we got them settled, quick showered and we were gone again by 7:30PM. A short ride brought us to the Fun Spot—a cool place if you are 14. We have the whole complex to ourselves and it includes unlimited miniature golf, go carts, obstacle course, laser tag, in line skating, and games. The food was delicious and they ate plenty as they had really worked off lunch on the river. We are finishing up here and we will “tape them in” by 10:30, and leave the security guards on duty for the night. Wake up is at 6AM, breakfast will be at 7 and then we will head to Natural Stone Bridge and Caves and then to the Wild Center as he head deeper into the Adirondacks..
The students have been absolutely wonderful-- helpful and respectful and we are totally enjoying our time with every one of them. Sleep well, we will. We hope you enjoy the pictures.
Cheryl Forster and all the chaperones
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Getting Ready (some last minute notes) - May 25
It's the eve of our departure for upstate NY - are YOU ready to go?
If you are anything like me, then you still have some packing to do. Here are a few reminders, as you fill up the last few nooks and crannies of your bag.
First of all, it's important to be prepared for the weather. While we can't predict it with certainly, we can prepare based on the forecast. Here is the Lake George Weather Forecast for next week.
Here are a few reminders of things to pack that are easy to overlook:
- a sack lunch - we will be eating on the lawn at Howe Cavern, and buying food is not an option, so bring a SACK LUNCH.
- Trash bag and plastic bags - when you are wet from rafting on Wednesday, you will want to set on a trash bag; you should have some plastic shopping bags in which to put your wet shoes.
- dry shoes (an extra pair!) - you need an old pair of sneaks for the rafting on Wednesday, and be sure you have a dry pair IN YOUR BAG ON THE BUS to wear when we get back on the bus - you will NOT be able to get anything from under the bus.
- layers, layers, layers - bring that extra sweatshirt or fleece that is easy to take off, as the weather from place to place may change.
- disposable cameras (2 or 3?) - you will want to take pictures, and disposable cameras are a great way to do it on a budget; cheap and (as the name says) disposable, if you lose one, or it gets wet, no big deal!
Check back later, as the 8th grade team will be adding more later.
If you are anything like me, then you still have some packing to do. Here are a few reminders, as you fill up the last few nooks and crannies of your bag.
First of all, it's important to be prepared for the weather. While we can't predict it with certainly, we can prepare based on the forecast. Here is the Lake George Weather Forecast for next week.
Here are a few reminders of things to pack that are easy to overlook:
- a sack lunch - we will be eating on the lawn at Howe Cavern, and buying food is not an option, so bring a SACK LUNCH.
- Trash bag and plastic bags - when you are wet from rafting on Wednesday, you will want to set on a trash bag; you should have some plastic shopping bags in which to put your wet shoes.
- dry shoes (an extra pair!) - you need an old pair of sneaks for the rafting on Wednesday, and be sure you have a dry pair IN YOUR BAG ON THE BUS to wear when we get back on the bus - you will NOT be able to get anything from under the bus.
- layers, layers, layers - bring that extra sweatshirt or fleece that is easy to take off, as the weather from place to place may change.
- disposable cameras (2 or 3?) - you will want to take pictures, and disposable cameras are a great way to do it on a budget; cheap and (as the name says) disposable, if you lose one, or it gets wet, no big deal!
Check back later, as the 8th grade team will be adding more later.
Count Down to Departure - May 25
In less than 24 hours, we will be off! For those of us on the trip, that means the beginning of a great new adventure. For those of you following our progress at home, it means a few days of separation (and perhaps some peace and quiet?!) from your teenager.
Be sure to check back here daily for updates and pictures. Principal Cheryl Forster-Cahill will be writing our daily blog in this spot, which will be uploaded, along with some great pictures, each evening. Be sure to check back regularly (or at least each morning!)
Have a great day!
Peter Holtz (a.k.a. Trip Tech Captain)
Below are a few pictures from LAST YEAR'S 8th grade trip to whet your appetite!
Be sure to check back here daily for updates and pictures. Principal Cheryl Forster-Cahill will be writing our daily blog in this spot, which will be uploaded, along with some great pictures, each evening. Be sure to check back regularly (or at least each morning!)
Have a great day!
Peter Holtz (a.k.a. Trip Tech Captain)
Below are a few pictures from LAST YEAR'S 8th grade trip to whet your appetite!
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