Update # 1: Camping and Exploring

Bridge Hawaii Families and Friends,

Greetings from Windsor Mountain!
We apologize for the delay in getting this email update out to you. Trans-Pacific cell-phone tag can be a real blast!

Here is the run-down on the trip so far:
After a loooong travel day (almost 4,000 miles for some of our students) the group settled in for a good night's sleep at Koa Wood Youth Hostel in Kona, The Big Island, Hawaii. The next morning they were up bright and early for the drive to their first campsite at the amazingly beautiful Punalu'u Beach. I am not exaggerating when I say amazing: Punalu'u is a black sand beach, and the water there is the most incredible shade of blue imaginable. Punalu'u is also home to a host of giant sea turtles, friendly creatures who don't mind sharing their home with teenagers (for a while at least). A full day of Windsor Mountain camp-style orientation games with short (yeah RIGHT) breaks for swimming and frolicking in the ocean was followed by the first the first group-cooked meal, which was a great success! Taya and Kate taught everyone how to use Coleman camp stoves to make dinner, and then taught everyone how to set up tents so they could turn in for the night.

The next day the group drove to an organic farm to plant lettuce! This was followed by--you guessed it--more swimming! Then they had an impromptu 4th of July celebration, highlighted by plenty of singing and dancing and having fun. This next is pure conjecture, but I can't imagine that this party did not include a rendition of Taya Win's famous camp anthem "Mr.. Pants". You will all have to confirm this with your loved ones when they call you for a quick check-in this Saturday.

The next two days were busy, busy, busy: the group went snorkeling at Two-Step Beach, hiked to the Captain Cook monument, did some more snorkeling, and then headed off to Volcanoes National Park--the newest place on earth! The visit to VNP included an incredible hike along a trail through a field of steam vents, a walk through a completely dark lava tunnel with no flashlights and eyes closed (a classic Windsor Mountain trust exercise), and finally, a 4 mile hike to a volcanic crater, where the group visited a cave painted with ancient Petroglyphs. Luckily, Taya was able to read these pre-historic missives, and informed the group that they said, in no uncertain terms: "It is now time to return to the campsite and eat a big, tasty meal." (but not before stopping at a real lava flow for a jam session, which probably included another rendition of "Mr.. Pants").

Enough of this update, though. Here is what you have all been waiting for--individual notes on our wonderful Windsor Mountain students:

Ian – Has stepped forward as a natural leader, proving his mettle as a superb navigator and thorough researcher for all the hiking trails. He was leader of the day on July 7th and impressed Taya and Kate with his leadership skills.

Henry - Had a great birthday! The team spent the day hiking and then everyone went out to dinner to celebrate. Stepping forward with his singing and dancing Henry has become the team entertainer.

Nick – Had a great time hiking the Captain Cook Monument and honed his snorkeling skills at Two-Step beach.

Margot – Is enjoying hiking and working on her tan. She has made quite an impression on the leaders by quickly making friends with everyone on the trip, and including everyone in all group activities.

Allison – Is also a fabulous asset to the group through her interpersonal skills. She was leader of the day July 6th and kept everyone laughing all day, even going to the extent of convincing everyone she had her own language!

Joseph – Was head chef last night, and cooked a fabulous meal of Mac-n-cheese with baked beans. Taya claims this was especially amazing since the team was on the last of their supplies and the Joseph was creating out of the remnants…WOW.

Carey – Seems to know everything there is to know about volcanoes. In fact, his leaders have found that he is a wealth of knowledge and a very good teacher. He has also shown himself to be a great leader with quite a sense of humor. While snorkeling the other day he saw some other scuba divers and swam down to give them a friendly tap and a little surprise. (Not sure I get the full picture…but Taya says it’s a team highlight).

Zoe – Has been singing the group to sleep almost every night with her sweet voice. She also enjoyed the big jam session they had on the farm where they are staying. She rocked out on guitar. Our leaders have also been impressed by her maturity and readiness to volunteer.

Matt – Is a great leader and a spectacular volunteer. Being very outdoor inclined, he loves all the hiking, and all the physical activities. The other day he got his shoe too wet to wear and made a make-shift shoe out of towel…very resourceful! He has also been an early riser, getting up in time to sit and watch the sunrise.

Noah – Has also been getting up to enjoy the serene sunrises. His positive attitude has been a joy to our leaders and a blessing to the team. He is always going out of his to way to talk to everyone while hiking and has become good friends with his teammates. He also loved watching the lava flow just outside the Volcanoes National Park.

Julia – Initially had tough time with the Captain Cook hike, especially on the way back up, but because of her great attitude, she gained lots of group support and respect. Since then she has been doing great on group hikes! Go Julia!

Ava- Is making friends with everyone, and is helpful regardless of the task. She enjoys the daily activities, and especially the hike through the Kilauea Iki Crater. As head chef, she cooked an awesome stir-fry that was savored by one and all.

Today the group traveled to the island of Molokai, where they will work with the students at the Molokai Youth Center, help our friend Vicky prepare her elementary school for the upcoming year, and visit Uncle Moke's Hale, where they will get a crash course in traditional Hawaiian Culture, Uncle Moke style.

Please look for our next email update to be delivered ON TIME next Wednesday, July 16th, 2008. Also, all Bridge Hawaii students will call home for a quick check-in this Saturday, July 12th, at around 6pm est.