Sunday, July 15th, Day 22
“The more we sweat in peace, the less we bleed in war.”
We started our day but everyone was tired after a pretty exciting day of surfing. At 6:45 we got on our way to UCSB. Once there we started our physical fitness for 35 mintues. Everyone were pushing each other, good team work! After we were done running, everybody were all sweaty, but happy and with energy. After that we had grammar and CAHSEE class. We had oranges for snacks, mmm, que rico! We practiced the interviews with a partner, and everyone did it fast. Lunch then happened. We had sandwiches and grapes. We read the Phantom Tollbooth and then continued our science projects. When we finished our minds were all tired. During the ride back the science groups had to come up with a name of their project, but Juan and Kenia all ready had it, so it wasn’t a problem. The rest were thinking very hard but then God illuminated their heads and they started coming up with titles. Angela and Cindy’s title was “Wet today, Dry tomorrow.” I like it! Then Tracy and Luis came up with the name Clean + Oceans=Happy. Also Engles and Ilse got their title and it was “All floods down stream” and Gelald and Ana chose “Growing Problem.”
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Gnarly Waves, Dude...
Thanks Chipper and Matt for hooking it up for us...if anyone needs super fun, super safe surf lessons, check him out at www.surfclass.com.
Saturday, July 14th, Day 21
“To overcome all evil with some good is good; to overcome evil with evil is evil.”
Muhammad
Today we woke up like always ready to start a new day. We started with the normal activities except that today we didn’t run because of the quality of the air. Jen teached us some yoga, she is an expert. Then we had a leadership class. We packed our stuff and we started our ride to Ventura. During the way we decided our menu for our final expedition. Finally we found our surf instructors and then we started to feel the emotion of being in the ocean. We talked about the ocean and waves, and then we put on our wet suit and we took the surf tables. We practiced for a while and then we went to the water. At that moment, the emotion was big as the ocean. Everyone passed a good time surfing, swimming, fighting with the waves, incredible. Then some partners had a chance to enjoy a great time in the water. Then we took out all the equipment and we loaded the truck. Jen went to return the equipment, during that time we read the book Phantom Tollbooth. Finally we returned to Sedgwick Field Station. In the way back, Engles, Angela and me played Scrabble and the rest of the team was sleeping. In the field station we had the chance to take showers, we all took showers. Then the pizza was ready. WE all ate pepperoni pizza and salad. That was delicious!
Last 2 days on Santa Cruz Island at the SC Island Field Station
Thursday, July 12th, Day 19
“Even the tiniest initial deviation from the truth is subsequently multiplied a thousand fold.”
Question of the Day: If you could change something in your life, what would it be?
Juan: Redoing kayaking again.
Angela: have sports ability.
Ana: not dislocating shoulder during volleyball.
Kenia: not having lost my first boyfriend.
Cindy: to come to the US when I was little to learn English.
Gerald: Change attitude.
Friday, July 13th, Day 20 HALF COURSE
“The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can change his life by changing his attitude of mind.”
Today is half course! It’s been 20 days that we spend together like a family.
Finishing "I Am" Poems on Santa Cruz Island
The students finished their "I Am" poems that were started on the first expedition in Sequoia National Park. Here are just a few of them.
Breaking the Cycle
by Engels Garcia
I am an ant
I advance without knowing
what obstacles are surrounding me.
I feel incompetent
cannot express my ideas
cannot communicate.
Challenging to get along
with people who have
a different way of life,
those who only care about themselves,
wish they could be more conscious.
But from far away
the fresh wind gives breath
sharing life inside of me,
giving me energy to soar
above my obstacles.
With blistered hands
I work hard to survive,
I sweat step by step,
just like a slave
working in the grape fields
endless, eternal rows
of dusty green grapes.
If my life ends
it is not because the Age,
it is the fight against
my Predators,
the destiny
trying to get out of the
cycle of slavery.
I am soul,
a ghost,
unfortunately I can’t survive
in this world
With pain
my work stings
without any progress,
I can’t find my colony,
my home.
I am victim
to my predators
who, without consciousness,
are killing
me
and my hopes to find
inner peace.
------------------------------
Open Your Eyes
by Kenia Lopez
Meadows that used to be lakes
remind me of the past,
memories that used to be wet.
I am a high summer sierra peak,
tears now dry.
The sunlight wakes me up
every morning,
and the night
covers me as a warm dark blanket.
The beauty of the sunsets
make me look like a Shooting Star,
A gigantic Sequoia pine tree,
strong, always alive.
A quiet butterfly,
shyness hugging me.
Horrible moments,
as black storms spread over my ridges,
flood my rivers,
my madness
hailing on my sisters,
sinful problems:
cold, black robes.
Magnificent as a high mountain,
strong, peaceful blowing winds;
calm as clouds;
and quiet as a rock.
Fresh, crystalline water against my skin,
free movements, dancing gently
gives me life.
My parents,
white glaciers,
enormous protectors,
educated me, supported me,
warned me, formed me!
My delicious landscapes,
the fragile and delicate
mountain Bluebell flower,
leaves like porcelain,
but strong enough to say, “I love you.”
The winter dresses me
with white freezing dresses.
Summer dresses me
with green pines and white firs.
Life is dressed beautifully
as long as you open your eyes.
------------------------------
Legacy Carved in Stone
by Juan Hernandez
I am a Glacier
Bound by no laws,
No Rules,
Free to see the world,
Strong & True.
I am a Glacier,
Seen no more,
But still here
A ghost,
Watching the world go by,
Washing the stain of blood shed past,
The blood and memories of those who
fought and died for us:
My world, my rivers, my land, the earth
beneath me.
Transformed by time,
Melted away in the world,
All you see:
Oceans,
Streams,
Rivers,
Plants,
Everywhere and anywhere you see.
But I have been forgotten by the world,
By the lies that surround me,
and by the lies I have created,
Lost in time,
and lost to the World.
Gentle at times,
Happy and smiling,
Always changing,
My thoughts, my mind & my emotions,
Always growing in size and in shape
transformed,
Getting stronger in mind and spirit,
Always learning,
About myself and the world that surrounds me,
Wanting to change the world,
waiting to give shape to this world of
disappointments and regrets,
In anyway that I can,
Shedding my emotions to the world
every drop of rain,
Showing my worth,
Letting people see who I am,
My good,
My peculiar enthusiasm,
My bad,
My serious nature,
My flaws,
My beliefs,
My HEART,
Those who choose to believe in me,
The mountains and rivers who choose
To love and care for me,
To teach me…right from wrong,
to hold me…when I get fearful
or terrified,
And those who choose to bring me down,
Will only make me stronger,
For I am a Glacier, powerful & majestic,
I move with the might and the strength
of my family behind me and no one will
stop me.
I am a Glacier,
Looking toward the future,
Making my own path…and leaving my
legacy carved in stone,
Seeing the world for what it is,
Cold & hard,
But at the same time…inspiring,
The world is changing,
Always,
Never stopping,
And never will,
But I will leave my mark on this world
and into the next,
My words,
Stained with my Truths and the Fears of
this world,
Echoed in the wind.
Breaking the Cycle
by Engels Garcia
I am an ant
I advance without knowing
what obstacles are surrounding me.
I feel incompetent
cannot express my ideas
cannot communicate.
Challenging to get along
with people who have
a different way of life,
those who only care about themselves,
wish they could be more conscious.
But from far away
the fresh wind gives breath
sharing life inside of me,
giving me energy to soar
above my obstacles.
With blistered hands
I work hard to survive,
I sweat step by step,
just like a slave
working in the grape fields
endless, eternal rows
of dusty green grapes.
If my life ends
it is not because the Age,
it is the fight against
my Predators,
the destiny
trying to get out of the
cycle of slavery.
I am soul,
a ghost,
unfortunately I can’t survive
in this world
With pain
my work stings
without any progress,
I can’t find my colony,
my home.
I am victim
to my predators
who, without consciousness,
are killing
me
and my hopes to find
inner peace.
------------------------------
Open Your Eyes
by Kenia Lopez
Meadows that used to be lakes
remind me of the past,
memories that used to be wet.
I am a high summer sierra peak,
tears now dry.
The sunlight wakes me up
every morning,
and the night
covers me as a warm dark blanket.
The beauty of the sunsets
make me look like a Shooting Star,
A gigantic Sequoia pine tree,
strong, always alive.
A quiet butterfly,
shyness hugging me.
Horrible moments,
as black storms spread over my ridges,
flood my rivers,
my madness
hailing on my sisters,
sinful problems:
cold, black robes.
Magnificent as a high mountain,
strong, peaceful blowing winds;
calm as clouds;
and quiet as a rock.
Fresh, crystalline water against my skin,
free movements, dancing gently
gives me life.
My parents,
white glaciers,
enormous protectors,
educated me, supported me,
warned me, formed me!
My delicious landscapes,
the fragile and delicate
mountain Bluebell flower,
leaves like porcelain,
but strong enough to say, “I love you.”
The winter dresses me
with white freezing dresses.
Summer dresses me
with green pines and white firs.
Life is dressed beautifully
as long as you open your eyes.
------------------------------
Legacy Carved in Stone
by Juan Hernandez
I am a Glacier
Bound by no laws,
No Rules,
Free to see the world,
Strong & True.
I am a Glacier,
Seen no more,
But still here
A ghost,
Watching the world go by,
Washing the stain of blood shed past,
The blood and memories of those who
fought and died for us:
My world, my rivers, my land, the earth
beneath me.
Transformed by time,
Melted away in the world,
All you see:
Oceans,
Streams,
Rivers,
Plants,
Everywhere and anywhere you see.
But I have been forgotten by the world,
By the lies that surround me,
and by the lies I have created,
Lost in time,
and lost to the World.
Gentle at times,
Happy and smiling,
Always changing,
My thoughts, my mind & my emotions,
Always growing in size and in shape
transformed,
Getting stronger in mind and spirit,
Always learning,
About myself and the world that surrounds me,
Wanting to change the world,
waiting to give shape to this world of
disappointments and regrets,
In anyway that I can,
Shedding my emotions to the world
every drop of rain,
Showing my worth,
Letting people see who I am,
My good,
My peculiar enthusiasm,
My bad,
My serious nature,
My flaws,
My beliefs,
My HEART,
Those who choose to believe in me,
The mountains and rivers who choose
To love and care for me,
To teach me…right from wrong,
to hold me…when I get fearful
or terrified,
And those who choose to bring me down,
Will only make me stronger,
For I am a Glacier, powerful & majestic,
I move with the might and the strength
of my family behind me and no one will
stop me.
I am a Glacier,
Looking toward the future,
Making my own path…and leaving my
legacy carved in stone,
Seeing the world for what it is,
Cold & hard,
But at the same time…inspiring,
The world is changing,
Always,
Never stopping,
And never will,
But I will leave my mark on this world
and into the next,
My words,
Stained with my Truths and the Fears of
this world,
Echoed in the wind.
Day 2 of Kayaking at Santa Cruz Island
Tuesday, July 10th, Day 17
“If anyone demonstrates to me and convinces me that I am thinking or acting incorrectly, I will happily change; for I wish to know the truth, which never caused injury to anyone.” Marcus Aurelius
Today we had an early wake-up at 6 a.m. because we had to be at the beach at 7:15 ready to start kayaking. We were in time and we had a nice warm up and 15 minutes later we inside the ocean in our kayaks. We had a small game of balancing on the kayak and paddle. Kenya and Anna were up and they were very confident. Engels stood up and was doing nice yoga (nice balance Engels!) but Tracey decided to stay down and watch Kenia and Ana fall. Then Luis stood up and Juan tried too, but both fell with a big smile. Ilse and Gerald were up but Engles gave them the chance to swim and enjoy the water. With the help of Morgan, Cindy and me stood up but we decided to stay sitted. Everyone was in chase of Morgan, but nobody got him wet. Later, we kept our way to see more caves. When we went back to the shore we took our gear off and said goodbye to Laurel and Shawn (our kayak instructors) with a big hug. We came back to camp and had snacks. When we were nice and dry we started our English class and we had our last rough draft of our poem. Then we had luch. Bagels with cream cheese, mmm. We started our science projects and they were about watersheds. After the class, we started our FREE TIME. Luis, Tracy, Juan, Ana and Ilse and Laura went to the beach while Cindy, Kenia, Gerald, Jen and Engles and me went for a hike and saw a wonderful view of the cliffs and the island.
Day 1 of Kayaking at Santa Cruz Island
Monday, July 9th, Day 16
“ Courage without conscience is a wild beast.”
Well today it wasn’t like a normal day. Today we wake-up in the morning we had breakfast then we got ready to start kayaking. Everyone was very anxious. Juan was very scared because he and I were the first ones to fall into the water. Gerald was tired and excited at the same time. Tracy was first scared but later as the instructor show her how to get into the kayak thing she was more comfortable. Angela at first she was very confident because she know how to swim and also she had done this kayaking before and later she was dizzy. Kenia was happy. Ilse was happy because it was her first time. At first she felt scared then we was excited to be kayaking. She felt inspired to do more kayaking. Cindy at first she was scared but later she was more comfortable. At the end every one finish the kayaking no one hot hurt that was the good thing.
Expedition #2: Channel Islands
Sunday, July 8th, Day 15
Angela our head honcho today told us we had 30 minutes to get our backpacks ready. But before that everyone had learned how to pack food and gear for our final. Then 2 hours later we had to be on the van ride to go to Santa Cruz Island. When we were in the van, everyone was excited to be in the boat, except Ana and me because we were scared. But when we got to the dock we ate our lunches really fast to get ready. So, we got into the boat and everyone was choosing their seats. I was scared but later I get used to it like Ana. We were pretty happy and we saw sea animals, especially dolphins and sea lions and a lot of birds…
Angela read the quote of the day and we started dinner. We were remembering when we started ARC and we were laughing about how we think that Luis was an instructor. Oh! I almost forgot. Before dinner when everyone was doing their own job a little fox peed on Gerald’s water bottle. It was so funny. And then after dinner we had to get our journals to start our first aid class with Morgan and Laura and we had 10 minutes to practice our presentations and after the 10 minutes Angela and Ilse presented about allergic reactions. It was really good and they acted like real actors, same as Kenia and Juan but their ABCS was like a comedy because they had a lot of humor. That’s just a summary about what we did today it was one of best days in ARC.
Just another day in ARC kissing mannequins & sharks
Pictures coming soon...
Friday, July 6th, Day 13
“Be good to yourself.” Benjamin Franklin
Today we discovered ourselves in our poems.
We all started off waking up at 6 a.m. to scrub toilets. We did our morning fitness. We ate breakfast and we were all happy we got coffee. Later the ones from Santa Ynez took a walk down memory lane when we passed our school, the best school ever. We learned CPR. We all laughed at the thought of giving a mannequin the kiss of life. After we all passed the test we went to UCSB. We met Scott and got to learn more about the oceans. Some of us thought the mannequin weren’t enough, so we decided to kiss the shark. Thanks to Cindy we all got Hot Cheetos.
Friday, July 6th, Day 13
“Be good to yourself.” Benjamin Franklin
Today we discovered ourselves in our poems.
We all started off waking up at 6 a.m. to scrub toilets. We did our morning fitness. We ate breakfast and we were all happy we got coffee. Later the ones from Santa Ynez took a walk down memory lane when we passed our school, the best school ever. We learned CPR. We all laughed at the thought of giving a mannequin the kiss of life. After we all passed the test we went to UCSB. We met Scott and got to learn more about the oceans. Some of us thought the mannequin weren’t enough, so we decided to kiss the shark. Thanks to Cindy we all got Hot Cheetos.
Basecamp #1: English immersion at its best
Tuesday, July 3rd, Day 10
“A human beings is part of the whole, called by us “the universe.” Our task must be to widen our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.
Major discover of the day: to learn how to write in Japanese.
Greatest accomplishment of the day was to get through class with the heat.
Wednesday, July 4th, Day 11
“Originality does not consist on saying what no one has ever said before but in saying exactly what you think yourself.” James Stephens
Today in the morning we woke up live everyday, ready for a new day. We formed a circle and got into our physical fitness groups. We ran for 20 minutes and we did some kids of exercise, the invisible chair was really hard. Then we ate breakfast. In our English class we typed our poems. Then we ate lunch. We had our Science class and it was really funny. The major discovery of the day was the lesson about back injuries and the treatment and science class in the creek.
Thursday, July 5th, Day 12
“When you call yourself an Indian or a Muslim or a Christian or a European or anything else, you are being violent. Do you see why it is violent? Because you are separating yourself from the rest of mankind. When you separate yourself by belief, by nationality, but tradition, it breeds violence.” Jiddu Krish Namurt
Major discoveries of the day: The estuary is a wetland and wetland are very important and many people don’t care about it.
Accomplishments of the day: Going to the beach and UCSB.
Vocab word of the day: lethargic
“A human beings is part of the whole, called by us “the universe.” Our task must be to widen our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.
Major discover of the day: to learn how to write in Japanese.
Greatest accomplishment of the day was to get through class with the heat.
Wednesday, July 4th, Day 11
“Originality does not consist on saying what no one has ever said before but in saying exactly what you think yourself.” James Stephens
Today in the morning we woke up live everyday, ready for a new day. We formed a circle and got into our physical fitness groups. We ran for 20 minutes and we did some kids of exercise, the invisible chair was really hard. Then we ate breakfast. In our English class we typed our poems. Then we ate lunch. We had our Science class and it was really funny. The major discovery of the day was the lesson about back injuries and the treatment and science class in the creek.
Thursday, July 5th, Day 12
“When you call yourself an Indian or a Muslim or a Christian or a European or anything else, you are being violent. Do you see why it is violent? Because you are separating yourself from the rest of mankind. When you separate yourself by belief, by nationality, but tradition, it breeds violence.” Jiddu Krish Namurt
Major discoveries of the day: The estuary is a wetland and wetland are very important and many people don’t care about it.
Accomplishments of the day: Going to the beach and UCSB.
Vocab word of the day: lethargic
Expedition #1: Backpacking in Sequoia National Park
Pictures coming soon....
Monday, June 25th, Day 2
“It had never occurred to me before that music and thinking are so much alike. In fact, you could say music is another way of thinking, or maybe thinking is another kid of music.” Ursula K. Le Gun
We started very early on the morning at 6 am. and with everyone cooperation we took breakfast. Then we started backpacking and then hiking. During the hiking everyone did a pretty good job. Everyone talking to each other, learning new things, and putting a big effort to get to the campsite. I think it was a hard but exciting day. And we are just starting.
Tuesday, June 26th, Day 3
“It is not the nature of politics that the best men should be elected. The best men do not want to govern their fellow man.”
Well today we woke up and groaned about how we wanted to go back to sleep. We ate, packed and we were on our way to High Sierra. We did our best on the hike and we didn’t get as tired as we did the first day. We had our first English and Science lesson at ARC today. Things seem to get easier everyday so far so I hope that it keeps going that way.
Wednesday, June 27th, Day 4
“Nothing to declare for we brought nothing into this world and it can be certain we carry nothing out.”
Today we started out pretty well. It wasn’t as cold as the other days. It started out as a good hike, but got harder as we progressed. We had a talk with a ranger and we were all lucky enough to see dried bear poo. We started on our way to Bear Paw Meadows and conquered the steep hills. I wonder what’s next.
Thursday, June 28th, Day 5
“Love grows by giving. The love we give away is the only love we keep. The only way to retain love is to give it away.” Elbert Hubbard
Today we started pretty good because we were getting better. We are breakfast and later we had our English class. We wrote poems, then later we had to share it. After that we started hiking to our way to Lonely Lake. It was really hard but we made it, because it was all up hill. Then we get out off trail and we started hiking off trail it was really cool because we tried our best and we get to Lonely Lake. And then we packed out. Later we went to Lonely Lake and we took showers and it was really cold but we had fun.
Friday, June 29th, Day 6
“The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.” Elbert Hubbard
What has been the hardest challenge in your life:
Luis: Coming to the United States.
Angela: Leaving my family and friends and coming to the USA.
Juan: Hiking.
Ilse: Coming to the ARC program.
Engels: Coming to the United States and leaving my family.
Ana: Losing a relationship because of someone else.
Kenia: Leaving family for one month.
Gerald: Leaving a part of his family in Mexico.
Saturday, June 30th, Day 7
“A friend’s eye is a good mirror.” Irish proverb
We woke up very early (as always), we got everything safe to go hiking without backpacks to Moose Lake. We hiked a peak we did not name (I hope next year kids give it a good name). Later, we went to Moose Lake and some us swam for a while. Next, it was time to have science class and we learned about watersheds. Also, we learned how to read maps and got to camp and got dinner. Yummy…
Sunday, July 1st, Day 8
“When we come into contact with the other person, our thoughs and actions should express our mind of compassion, even if that person says and does things that are not easy to accept. We practice this way until we see clearly that our love is not contingent upon the other person being lovable.” Thich Nhat Hanh
What is the best experience you had in these days?
Cindy: Knowing and meeting all of you guys.
Tracy: Getting to know everyone.
Angela: Getting to know new people and learn new things.
Juan: Swimming at Moose Lake.
Gerald: To know each other and discover new things about nature.
Luis: When we went to Moose Lake.
Kenia: The sunset, the full moon, and the stars.
Ana: How to cook in the wilderness.
Engels: to hike more than 11000 feet and see the view.
Monday July 2nd, Day 9
“You can’t have speech without thought, opinion without knowledge, judgement without evaluation. It is the enemy of true emotion and a clear vision of life. Sincerity, honesty and the simple expression of feeling offer a valuable bench mark to live by.”
Today was a very special day for all of my friends from ARC because we hiked out from Sequoia at 7:30 a.m. to the parking lot to see Jen. At 5:30 a.m. we didn’t want to wake up but we were all excited. Yeah! When we were leaving Emerald Lake everyone was practicacally running. It took us 5 miles to get to Wolverton. When we got there we unpacked our things from our backpacks and put dirty clothes in a bag. Boys and girls had their own bag of dirty clothes. After that we were waiting and everyone decided to do a little prank on Jen so Tracy pretended to be hurt but Jen didn’t believe us but it was really funny. Jen brought lunch for all of us it was DELICIOUS! Yum Yum. We packed everything and we were on our way to basecamp. While we were in the car jamming to some songs we slept for a while. Then we went to eat at at In N Out. It was good. We were excited that we were going to take a shower.
Monday, June 25th, Day 2
“It had never occurred to me before that music and thinking are so much alike. In fact, you could say music is another way of thinking, or maybe thinking is another kid of music.” Ursula K. Le Gun
We started very early on the morning at 6 am. and with everyone cooperation we took breakfast. Then we started backpacking and then hiking. During the hiking everyone did a pretty good job. Everyone talking to each other, learning new things, and putting a big effort to get to the campsite. I think it was a hard but exciting day. And we are just starting.
Tuesday, June 26th, Day 3
“It is not the nature of politics that the best men should be elected. The best men do not want to govern their fellow man.”
Well today we woke up and groaned about how we wanted to go back to sleep. We ate, packed and we were on our way to High Sierra. We did our best on the hike and we didn’t get as tired as we did the first day. We had our first English and Science lesson at ARC today. Things seem to get easier everyday so far so I hope that it keeps going that way.
Wednesday, June 27th, Day 4
“Nothing to declare for we brought nothing into this world and it can be certain we carry nothing out.”
Today we started out pretty well. It wasn’t as cold as the other days. It started out as a good hike, but got harder as we progressed. We had a talk with a ranger and we were all lucky enough to see dried bear poo. We started on our way to Bear Paw Meadows and conquered the steep hills. I wonder what’s next.
Thursday, June 28th, Day 5
“Love grows by giving. The love we give away is the only love we keep. The only way to retain love is to give it away.” Elbert Hubbard
Today we started pretty good because we were getting better. We are breakfast and later we had our English class. We wrote poems, then later we had to share it. After that we started hiking to our way to Lonely Lake. It was really hard but we made it, because it was all up hill. Then we get out off trail and we started hiking off trail it was really cool because we tried our best and we get to Lonely Lake. And then we packed out. Later we went to Lonely Lake and we took showers and it was really cold but we had fun.
Friday, June 29th, Day 6
“The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.” Elbert Hubbard
What has been the hardest challenge in your life:
Luis: Coming to the United States.
Angela: Leaving my family and friends and coming to the USA.
Juan: Hiking.
Ilse: Coming to the ARC program.
Engels: Coming to the United States and leaving my family.
Ana: Losing a relationship because of someone else.
Kenia: Leaving family for one month.
Gerald: Leaving a part of his family in Mexico.
Saturday, June 30th, Day 7
“A friend’s eye is a good mirror.” Irish proverb
We woke up very early (as always), we got everything safe to go hiking without backpacks to Moose Lake. We hiked a peak we did not name (I hope next year kids give it a good name). Later, we went to Moose Lake and some us swam for a while. Next, it was time to have science class and we learned about watersheds. Also, we learned how to read maps and got to camp and got dinner. Yummy…
Sunday, July 1st, Day 8
“When we come into contact with the other person, our thoughs and actions should express our mind of compassion, even if that person says and does things that are not easy to accept. We practice this way until we see clearly that our love is not contingent upon the other person being lovable.” Thich Nhat Hanh
What is the best experience you had in these days?
Cindy: Knowing and meeting all of you guys.
Tracy: Getting to know everyone.
Angela: Getting to know new people and learn new things.
Juan: Swimming at Moose Lake.
Gerald: To know each other and discover new things about nature.
Luis: When we went to Moose Lake.
Kenia: The sunset, the full moon, and the stars.
Ana: How to cook in the wilderness.
Engels: to hike more than 11000 feet and see the view.
Monday July 2nd, Day 9
“You can’t have speech without thought, opinion without knowledge, judgement without evaluation. It is the enemy of true emotion and a clear vision of life. Sincerity, honesty and the simple expression of feeling offer a valuable bench mark to live by.”
Today was a very special day for all of my friends from ARC because we hiked out from Sequoia at 7:30 a.m. to the parking lot to see Jen. At 5:30 a.m. we didn’t want to wake up but we were all excited. Yeah! When we were leaving Emerald Lake everyone was practicacally running. It took us 5 miles to get to Wolverton. When we got there we unpacked our things from our backpacks and put dirty clothes in a bag. Boys and girls had their own bag of dirty clothes. After that we were waiting and everyone decided to do a little prank on Jen so Tracy pretended to be hurt but Jen didn’t believe us but it was really funny. Jen brought lunch for all of us it was DELICIOUS! Yum Yum. We packed everything and we were on our way to basecamp. While we were in the car jamming to some songs we slept for a while. Then we went to eat at at In N Out. It was good. We were excited that we were going to take a shower.
The Countdown Begins
Well, it's been nearly 40 days and we have accomplished so much. Updating this blog on a regular basis has not been one of those things, so here it goes, starting at Day 1, straight from the ARC Group Journal.
Sunday, June 24th, Day 1
“Enlightenment must come little by little, otherwise it would overwhelm.” Idries Shah
This morning we started out trip with everybody together in Santa Maria, California. After 5 hours of driving, we pulled into Sequoia National Park. The highlights of the car ride were waiting in line at the bathrooms and Jen doing 110 jumping jacks.
At Sequoia, the first thing we did was to blindfold 5 lucky students, who were led by 5 very competent guides through the woods. The students learned about trust and about taking care of each other. After we satisfied our growling stomachs, we headed down the trail to see the General Sherman Tree. Everybody was amazed by how huge it was! Now we are getting ready for our backpacking trip. We can’t wait to get going!
Monday, June 4, 2007
It's almost time to start the ARC Program!
Hi Cindy, Tracey, Ana, Ilse, Juan, Kenia, Angela, Gerardo, and Engels! I hope that all of you are excited about the ARC program! This is a picture from Sequoia National Park, which is the first place we will be backpacking during the program.
I want all of you to know that in addition to the 9 of you, we will have student from San Jose, Luis. He comes from a program called Summer Search, and he will be a great addition to our team. Please welcome him like you welcomed eachother during our orientation trip.
Also, look for a letter in the mail. I will be mailing information sheets this week.
And talk to your parents about Parent Night. It is really important that everyone attend. At Parent Night, we will have you and your parents sign all of the necessary forms and we will fit you for boots.
Hope you all are doing well and I will talk to you soon!
Jen
Thursday, May 17, 2007
More photos!
Thanks Gerald for sending me these pictures to post--they are incredible! Did any of you receive the letter I sent you last week?
Everyone should keep their eyes open for a package of information that I will be sending to you soon. Hope school is going well for everyone and I'll talk to you soon.
Jen
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Welcome to the Adventure, Risk & Challenge blog
Welcome to the Adventure, Risk & Challenge blog for the 2007 Sedgwick Program. This blog is a way for all of the students, volunteers, teachers, parents, and staff to stay connected, share photos and ideas, and send messages to each other. We are so excited about this summer and want to hear from you.
This past weekend was the first ever Orientation Trip for the Sedgwick Program, and wow, it was incredible!
Check out the photos and tell us what you think!
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