I just returned from a four-day high adventure trip with two Girl Scout troops of high school students. We whitewater rafted a Level III (difficult) river and spelunked (caved) as deep as 46-stories underground. The girls in my troop kept running journals including their thoughts pre-and post-adventures.
They are so fun to read.
From Carli's first entry: I'm not sure if I should be excited or terrified. I have been looking forward to rafting for a long time. I hope I don't fall out of the raft. That would not be fun! :-)
Carli's next entry: Wow, I had a blast! Rafting was so much fun! I was in a raft with my mom, Megan W., Tina, and John, our attractive guide. He kept telling other rafts to "follow me unless we crash and burn." Every time we went on a rapid I would burst out in laughter. My butt hurts! My mom and I could not stop laughing when we had to go on a rock and if she tried to relax she would fall out...I really want to do the harder level.
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From Carli's pre-spelunking entry: I am terrified [of caving]. I feel like I would be the person who would need a twelve-hour rescue. Or that I would fall and bring someone down with me. Hopefully no one gets hurt. I hope I don't scare myself too much. That e-mail was really scary. [She's referring to the caving permission slip, filled with caveats.] No matter what, I will go in the lower caverns.
From Carli's next entry: Wow, that was awesome! I feel like I can do anything! My clothes got so dirty, I am very tired, and I have a huge smile on my face. I slipped here and there, but nothing major. It was quite an experience. It was also a challenge...This camping trip was a great idea.
From Amy's first entry: Rafting: should be fun, slightly worried, excited. Caving: REALLY excited, scared and worried. I couldn't stop thinking about the Cuban miners stuck for months :-(. I've already thought out my farewell speech.
From Amy's post-rafting entry: Whitewater rafting was AMAZING! Our guide was Phil. He was the best. In my raft was Nicole, Bethany, Megan R., Tracey, Phil, random lady, and me :-). We had raft 830. It is DEFINITELY something I want to do again. Except maybe Level IV or so instead of Level III. And the weather was SUPA cool; thunder and some rain.
From Amy's post-caving entry: We went on a Lower Caverns/Upper tour at 9:30. At first I didn't know what to expect from it. But afterward I found I really enjoyed it. Laurel Caverns is more for adventure and not really for sights. It was a three or so hour tour. We toured untouched parts of the cave. We had our hard hats and flash lights. The temperature down there was always about 55 degrees and the humidity was 100 percent.
It was definitely an adventure, but if you're more for sights, Ohio Caverns is better. On our way there (in the cavern) we ran into a group of 47 boys. On our way out they sang some very girly songs: Taylor Swift, Call Me Maybe, California Girls, I Kissed a Girl, and so on. :-)
What's the most adventurous thing you've ever done? Were you nervous beforehand? Did you feel empowered afterwards?
Fun reading the entries. I've never gone whitewater rafting but my daughter did on a trip to Costa Rica this summer. She liked it but did fall out of the boat once. That was scary. Glad I wasn't there to see it. I went on a two day canoe trip once, quite adventurous for me.
ReplyDeleteHow cool to read these entries. I've documented two huge US and European trips and I love that I can go back and read about them. Especially the tiny details you no longer remember.
ReplyDeleteOne of my girls wrote her entries in free verse. She'll definitely be keeping her journal for the long term!
DeleteWhat a great way to incorporate adventures and writing. You are inspiring these girls, Kim!! Very cool. I'll have to muse about the most adventurous thing I've done....could be marrying my husband!! :)
ReplyDeleteLove the journal entries. What a trip!
ReplyDeleteLove that she documented the 'attractive guide' :) This sounds like a blast!
ReplyDeleteThe attractive guide was a highlight. And he had a brother who guided my boat. The only disagreement was over which brother was hotter.
DeleteWow what an awesome adventure, and wonderful journal entries. You know the girls had a blast. Great for them to be living these experiences instead of reading about them. Awesome!
ReplyDeleteThose girls (and you) are SO brave. There isn't enough money to pay me to do those things, so I'm in awe of your courage. :O
ReplyDeleteI've got a great group of girls. Many have learned to go outside of their comfort zone because they've discovered that challenging themselves (and succeeding) makes them feel good. Trying anything new makes them winners. Sometimes you just don't know whether you'll be good at something or enjoy it until you try it.
DeleteIt sounds like these girls faced their fears and gained some much confidence from their adventure. They'll take these memories with them.
ReplyDeleteLooks like an amazing trip but I could never go spelunking! I'm so claustrophobic when it comes to caves.
ReplyDeleteWe had one girl from the other troop decide caving made her so uncomfortable that she'd never do it again, but she was proud of herself for trying it and making the informed decision rather than assuming she wouldn't like it. And I have my own claustrophobia demons I battle...
DeleteI'm a little claustrophobic. I've been in caverns before, but it's been years. No desire to go again. I think I would love rafting! In one way, I'm not too adventurous. Then again, some days my life is a new adventure every day.
ReplyDeleteI agree that you seem to have your share of adventures already! But I do recommend the rafting...
DeleteOh, My God. I could feel their confidence EXPLODING. What an awesome trip.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing adventure! I've been rafting before and loved it, but spelunking sounds fantastic. Though we have the wonderful Ruby Falls cavern near where I live and it's incredible.
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