Day Three June 4, 2010
The dance was great last night, The kids liked the DJ (which always helps) and he was so surprised that they requested "oldies" and said how different ( in a nice way) these kids are than what he usually sees. Some of the students were really interested in the Celtics game, so we took over a TV in the pool area and let those who wanted to watch the game while others dances away the night. It is good we can provide options so everyone has a good time. Dance and game were over by 10 and we taped thiem in. We got them up at 6AM and had them checked out of the hotel by 7AM, loaded the buses and headed down the hill for breakfast. It is one of the original Howard Johnson's and is a very cool place to eat. The food options were amazing.
We were on the road by 8:30 and made it to Ausable Chasm on time. There were were banded with bracelets and headed out in groups of 10 for the 1.5 mile walk along the chasm rim which eventually brings you down to the level of the water. It is a beautiful walk, slippery at times and we travel throuhg virtual time zones as we descended layer upon layer of limestone laid down throughout the ages. It is a geologist's laboratory. Finally we turn a corner and you can see the big inflatable rafts being lowered into the river and that's when it gets exciting. We took off our sneakers and tied them to our life jackets and jumped into the boats for the ride out of the chasm. There is a little whitewater, some bumping on the canyon walls and a fun ride out as the river flattens. We took a trolley back to the top of the hill and enjoyed a great cookout and they had down time to play volleyball, catch, soccer, or just hand out. It was a gorgeous day.
We drove to the ferry which is cool. All four buses loaded together for the short trip over beautiful Lake Champlain to the Vermont side. We arrived at Ben and Jerry's and toured the facility in groups and had free ice cream. Some of the boys even bought the "monster" bucket which takes about 10 hungry teen agers to get through--but they did.
As we headed home all I could think about was the fact that there probably are not many schools where you can take away 160 kids who are finishing middle school for 3 days with virtually NO incidents and nothing but compliments. That's who we are and that makes me proud. The new bus driver in the group could not say enough to me after we arrived home, he was actually teary.
We have done a good job, the result of a partnership between home and school and the village of Ipswich which continues to be a great place to raise kids,
Thank you chaperones and students for a wonderful trip, 2010. This will be hard to beat.
Cheryl Forster
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
June 3, Day 2
Day 2 Thursday June 3, 2010
Hi Everyone,
Another wonderful day is behind us. Morning brought some clouds our way but no rain. It is warm and overcast. We enjoyed a huge breakfast in the water front conference room on the shore of beautiful Lake George. The boys dealt with a rather strange incident at about 6AM. After showering—the shower plumbing nozzle came out of the wall. Students immediately sent for help and there was no fault at all on our part—it was seemingly “tired plumbing.” It took some time for staff to find the water shut off so we evacuated the kids and some rooms ended up flooded. Just thought I would let you know in case you hear rumors.
We left about 8:30 and made the half hour trip to Natural Stone Bridge and Caves. We love this place. It was deeded to the family during the Civil War and has always been a geological attraction. We spent time in three stations-- the climbing rock wall, the Nature Trail and the Rock/Gift Shop. Your present will undoubtedly come from here. We saw many types of erosion, weathering, glacial shaping and the amazing power of water.
We left about 10 for The Wild Center which is a brand new eco-museum which features conservation and the ecology of the Adirondacks. We had curriculum to cover which we did in groups and we also saw a beautiful movie called “A matter of Degrees” about the foces in place which created this area. Lunch was under a tent outside.
We are now checked into the Comfort Inn at Lake Placid, and as I write this all the kids are in the pool having a total blast. Our rooms overlook the pool area and it is quite fancy. We will have dinner at 6:30 and then they have their final grade 8 dance here with a DJ, karaoke and the final Middle School Stairway to Heaven dance. A few tears may be in order.
We leave in the morning for the drive up the state and ferry over to the Vermont side and sadly the last day of a very successful trip. Everywhere we go, the people make it a point to tell us how respectful and wonderful the students are. This always makes us (and I hope you) very proud. IMS rocks.
Cheryl Forster
Hi Everyone,
Another wonderful day is behind us. Morning brought some clouds our way but no rain. It is warm and overcast. We enjoyed a huge breakfast in the water front conference room on the shore of beautiful Lake George. The boys dealt with a rather strange incident at about 6AM. After showering—the shower plumbing nozzle came out of the wall. Students immediately sent for help and there was no fault at all on our part—it was seemingly “tired plumbing.” It took some time for staff to find the water shut off so we evacuated the kids and some rooms ended up flooded. Just thought I would let you know in case you hear rumors.
We left about 8:30 and made the half hour trip to Natural Stone Bridge and Caves. We love this place. It was deeded to the family during the Civil War and has always been a geological attraction. We spent time in three stations-- the climbing rock wall, the Nature Trail and the Rock/Gift Shop. Your present will undoubtedly come from here. We saw many types of erosion, weathering, glacial shaping and the amazing power of water.
We left about 10 for The Wild Center which is a brand new eco-museum which features conservation and the ecology of the Adirondacks. We had curriculum to cover which we did in groups and we also saw a beautiful movie called “A matter of Degrees” about the foces in place which created this area. Lunch was under a tent outside.
We are now checked into the Comfort Inn at Lake Placid, and as I write this all the kids are in the pool having a total blast. Our rooms overlook the pool area and it is quite fancy. We will have dinner at 6:30 and then they have their final grade 8 dance here with a DJ, karaoke and the final Middle School Stairway to Heaven dance. A few tears may be in order.
We leave in the morning for the drive up the state and ferry over to the Vermont side and sadly the last day of a very successful trip. Everywhere we go, the people make it a point to tell us how respectful and wonderful the students are. This always makes us (and I hope you) very proud. IMS rocks.
Cheryl Forster
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
June 2, Day One
Greetings Parents!!
As I write this we are tucking them in after a very full and successful day in the beautiful Adirondacks. The sun was shining when we left a little late at about 6:30 but that did not dampen our spirits. We did have some trouble getting out of MA, 95 was a parking lot and it took us quite some time to get to the pike. We arrived at Howe's Caverns by 11:45 and split up into 6 groups touring the cave and taking the boat ride on the River Styx. Bus 3 had a little difficulty and while we were in the caves and eating they brought in another bus but it turns out we did not need it. We enjoyed our lunches in perfect weather--probably about 78 degrees. We drove the 87 miles to Lucerne where we all put on life jackets grabbed a paddle and took our buses to the Hudson River. In groups of 10 we helped drag the large blue rafts into the Hudson and off we went. It was so warm that just about everyone went swimming. There were raft wars, chants, splashing and it was amazing fun. Even I jumped in and swam with the kids for some time. It all worked really well and we had a blast.
Wet but happy we headed for the Georgian Motel in Lake George. We arrives at 6:50 and had them checked in and out again in a matter of minutes. The Fun Spot was the last stop for the evening. We had the whole facility to ourselves which included a great buffet dinner, laser tag, inline skating, unlimited go carts, miniature golf and inflatable jumping rooms. Although we had a full day, they really enjoyed themselves and we all had fun.
We have taped them in as I write this and tomorrow we are up at 6AM and off by 8 and will head to Natural Stone Bridge and Caves which is where your present will probably come from. The weather is absolutely beautiful which makes it all the more enjoyable and the kids have been a total pleasure to be with.
Enjoy the photos and we will check in with you tomorrow. Sleep tight, we will, all is well.
Cheryl Forster
As I write this we are tucking them in after a very full and successful day in the beautiful Adirondacks. The sun was shining when we left a little late at about 6:30 but that did not dampen our spirits. We did have some trouble getting out of MA, 95 was a parking lot and it took us quite some time to get to the pike. We arrived at Howe's Caverns by 11:45 and split up into 6 groups touring the cave and taking the boat ride on the River Styx. Bus 3 had a little difficulty and while we were in the caves and eating they brought in another bus but it turns out we did not need it. We enjoyed our lunches in perfect weather--probably about 78 degrees. We drove the 87 miles to Lucerne where we all put on life jackets grabbed a paddle and took our buses to the Hudson River. In groups of 10 we helped drag the large blue rafts into the Hudson and off we went. It was so warm that just about everyone went swimming. There were raft wars, chants, splashing and it was amazing fun. Even I jumped in and swam with the kids for some time. It all worked really well and we had a blast.
Wet but happy we headed for the Georgian Motel in Lake George. We arrives at 6:50 and had them checked in and out again in a matter of minutes. The Fun Spot was the last stop for the evening. We had the whole facility to ourselves which included a great buffet dinner, laser tag, inline skating, unlimited go carts, miniature golf and inflatable jumping rooms. Although we had a full day, they really enjoyed themselves and we all had fun.
We have taped them in as I write this and tomorrow we are up at 6AM and off by 8 and will head to Natural Stone Bridge and Caves which is where your present will probably come from. The weather is absolutely beautiful which makes it all the more enjoyable and the kids have been a total pleasure to be with.
Enjoy the photos and we will check in with you tomorrow. Sleep tight, we will, all is well.
Cheryl Forster
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