Team 2011!

The third iteration of the Summer Journey is underway. The team has been selected, and what an incredible group it is, filled with middle schoolers whose achievements in music, art, academics, and athletics are as impressive as they are diverse.

We will be cranking up the fundraising engine very soon - in fact, some of us have gotten a good start already - and students will be setting goals and working toward them. My own goal is to raise $2500 for the scholarship fund and I've been wondering if I should do Operation Squirrel (as I have the last two years) or switch it up a little bit and do Project Huck, which would involve me (as Huckleberry Finn) marooned on a raft in Reeds Lake. Last year I got to spend 92 hours in a tree; this year, it could be spent on a lake. What would it be like sleeping on a raft? Would I be worried about rolling into the water? Would I have dreams about lake monsters pulling me in? Sheesh. Scary.

But what I am looking forward to the most is getting to know the team! I'm so excited for night XC skiing (with headlamps) at the Cannonsburg State Game Area in January. And for broomball/ice skating at Alice's in February. And for movie night at Keller's in March. And for the buddy race, solo challenge, and campout in late April. And for art class, and barbecue, and yoga, and the 5k, and the pool party! This is going to be so much fun.

If you are a prospective student for summer 2011, we would love to have you join us! Please download, fill out and return Teton 2011 application.pdf to apply. The application and other documents can be found by clicking on the "important documents" link on the right side of this page.

More information, and the 2010 Yearbook, can be found at http://www.grcs.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=1487

Presentations will be made at the middle schools during the last week of October and first week of November, 2011. Applications are due November 19, and the team will gather (students and parents) for our first meeting on December 6.

Leaving Teton Science School

We had a great last day at Teton Sciene School. We spent the morning learning about bird banding research that is conducted here on campus (as well as nationally), went to Phelps Lake for a beautiful hike in the afternoon, and the students are just finishing up closing ceremonies with their TSS instructors before we have a special closing time with our whole group.

Tomorrow morning we leave TSS and head to Yellowstone. We still have plenty of travel, adventures, activities, and learning to do before returning home. Thank you for praying for each of these things.

We look forward to seeing you all next Wednesday!

Tuesday and Wednesday

A quick overview of the last two days...
Tuesday: We canoed and hiked at String Lake. In the evening a local artist came and taught a class about journaling, sketching, and water color. The students also learned about Olaus and Mardy Murie.

Wednesday: The students participated in a service project where they planted Willow trees. We spent the afternoon at the Wildlife Art Museum. Tonight the students will participate in a mediation time where they learn about and debate the local issue "Should we continue to feed the elk on the National Elk Reserve?"

Everything has been going well and we feel very blessed with good weather, fantastic food, excellent Teton Science School instructors, encouraging fellowship, wonderful group and individual devotion times, and an exceptional group of students and chaperons.

Thank you for continuing to pray for us: for safety, unity, energy, hearts that are open to learn what God wants to show us. We are loving seeing your children grow and challenge themselves and look forward to them being able to share those things with you when we return home.

We're Here

After 4 days of fun and travel we arrived last night at Teton Science School. We settled into our cabins and have started our first day in the field at Grand Teton National Park. Thank you for all you did to prepare your son or daughter for this trip and for all of your prayers. We definitely feel that God has been providing for us and protecting us and appreciate your continued prayers.

Let me just say this: your sons, daughters, wives, and husbands are really solid people are we blessed to have them part of the team. They have been a joy to spend time with and get to know more. Here are some things we've noticed:
~This group works well together (The first meal they cooked was burritos. 5 stoves, 5 cook groups, some people showering, some people cooking, some people cleaning---in a very reasonable amount of time with no need for help from the adults, they made and cleaned up a great dinner.)
~They get along. (They have so much fun with each other. They ride with different people-which we assign-everyday in the vans and have been talking and laughing and spending time intentionally getting to know one another. Lots of laughter!)
~They are challenging themselves and each other. (We spent time rock climbing and rappelling on Saturday. The students AND adults put on harnesses and were determined to face fears and reach goals. They cheered for each other and celebrated each other's success.

Here's what's next...astronomy tonight (pray for clear skies), canoeing tomorrow, and a program with Annie Band (an artist and illustrator) tomorrow evening.

January meeting

The January meeting will be held on Saturday the 23rd and Dave and Julie Degraaf's home, 7433 9 Mile Road in Rockford. Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Here We Go Again!

Welcome to Teton Twenty-Ten! We are very excited to get the team together...registration forms and deposits are due November 20. To submit a registration form electronically, click on the "Student/parent resources" link on the right side of this page and follow the directions given there.



To see pictures from last year's trip, click on this link: http://s656.photobucket.com/albums/uu282/juliebarrett/Grand%20Teton%20Summer%20Journey%202009



Questions? Email David (dbuth@grcs.org) or Julie (jbarrett@grcs.org)