I've recently returned from chaperoning a 7th grade school field trip camping in Kentucky and Tennessee. It is important to keep in mind - these were city kids, not used to the country life. It was interesting to say the least. The kids were terrified of bugs - so as you can imagine that went over great in the woods. Hmm... terrified seems to not quite explain the "bug issue" properly - this fear was so irrational. I didn't put on bug spray at all and yet did not get bitten once. However, the children put on bug spray obsessively. They screamed at the sight of bugs. They did not even like lightening bugs and fire flies. I kid you not this is a direct quote from one of the kids, "It's a butterfly. Kill it!"
While, "It's a butterfly - kill it" is a great quote. It was only my second favorite quote. That is right ladies and gentleman there is a better quote yet to come.
The trip included horse riding, alpine slides, rope courses, cave exploring, white water rafting - but out of all the activities the most terrifying for the children was tubing!!! A combination of not knowing how to swim and the tour guides advice to stay away from the banks of the river at the risk of getting caught in a "strainer" leading to "entrapment" and causing DROWNING really sent the kids into a panic when they inevitably got caught on the banks of the river due to a lack of steering ability.
One kid recounted his tubing adventure at dinner later that night. While detailing his horrific near death experience (of getting caught on the bank of the river) said, "and then I got shanked my some trees." And that my friends is my favorite quote of the trip, and a terrific way to end this blog entry. Peace out, readers.
P.S. I leave for Australia in a little over a week from now! Eeekkksss....exciting and scary all in one!!!