Field Trip

It was probably CC's final field trip (I don't think high schoolers take field trips?), so I definitely had to chaperone again. This time it was a 3-day trip to the North Carolina Outer Banks, so it was a LONG drive, but it was a really fun and interesting trip!

Oddly, I was not chaperoning CC's group. She was rooming with her friend Patricia, so Patricia's mom was their chaperone. Since they didn't need two chaperones, I was given a different group of girls to watch. But I was able to enjoy many activities with CC, and steal a few pictures with her along the way.

The first day we visited Bodie Island Lighthouse, which was very picturesque, and we got a nice group photo. Then we headed to Jockey Ridge State Park, which has the highest sand dunes on the East Coast! And because they aren't directly on the water's edge, you're allowed to climb all over them. The kids slid and tumbled and rolled to their hearts' content. CC didn't want to get too sandy, but she had fun meandering around and hanging out with her friends and one of her favorite teachers from 6th grade, Ms K.

That night the kids had a pizza and dance party in a large conference room at the hotel. The kids screamed at the top of their lungs at the beginning of each song. And if you haven't heard 200 kids scream in a confined space ... well, you're lucky. We were all glad to get out of there with our hearing intact.

The next morning, bright and early, we left for the Wright Brothers Memorial. I was really impressed! It was a very well-done museum and landmark. While the park ranger was giving us his talk, a small plane circled above us, then landed at the airstrip right in front of us. The pilot go out and started walking towards us -- it was the dad of one of the students! How cool!

We drove to Currituck Lighthouse, which is beautiful and still in operation. We climbed to the top, where there was a dizzying view. Thank goodness it was such a clear day! 

We also spent time exploring the beach, and touring the wildlife museum next to the lighthouse. 

After souvenir shopping, we ate dinner at a seafood buffet, then went to a fun park for mini golf, go-carts, and bumper cars. It was nice for the kids to blow off some steam.

The next morning we had our final outing: a trip to Jeanette Pier. Employees from the aquarium taught us how to fish, led us through a squid dissection (CC excused herself), explained all about the types of shells found there, and allowed us to roam the beach to find specimens on our own.

The trip had been going perfectly until that morning. But while fishing, a freak accident caused one student to get a fish hook fully embedded through her cheek. We called 911, and EMTs responded quickly and brought to the ER to have it removed. Not 15 minutes later, a student had a severe allergic reaction to the squid, and we had to call 911 again and rush her to the ER, too. She had no idea she had a squid allergy! Thank goodness both girls were okay, but it was a chaotic morning, and we were delayed quite a bit heading home.

By the time the buses limped back into the school parking lot, it was almost 11pm, and we were all exhausted. But it was a good trip, and I'm so glad CC and I experienced it together.

Special thanks to my dad, who made it possible for me to chaperone! Pepere came to stay with Sweet Pea and Little Man, since MJ was out of town for work. They all enjoyed a fun few days and had plenty of treats in our absence. Everyone had a great week! (Except maybe MJ.)