WFSI Blog

was on our way to carlsbad new mexico out on the road its a sight from our van

So we had fun going on a hike yesterday afternoon in Abilene, Texas while we were waiting for cook crew to finish making dinner. In the middle of the hike, we encountered our first tarantula of the trip. It was pretty neat and we got some good pictures of the tarantula scurrying and rearing in its defensive posture. The tarantula was about 3 or 4 inches across.

Today was the second of three classes to prepare us for the trip to the southwest. We began our class with a musical chairs style icebreaker in which we shared small bits about ourselves. After that we had our first debriefing which covered yesterday’s tie-dying. During the debrief we learned about three ways to give feedback: a rose, a bud, and a thorn. The rose represents something good that happened, the bud represents something that we look forward to happening, and the thorn represents something that we could have changed.After the debriefing, Brian gave a seminar on the ecology of the southwest. We covered the different climates and biomes in North America in addition to seeing examples of the various trees and cacti that we would see in different altitudes and deserts, respectively. After the seminar, we split up into our work groups and learned how to set up the tents and how to make sure the van is running well. At the end of the class we split up and had our gender-specific meetings where we learned about proper hygiene.

Andrew Atterbury

Today was the the second day of our pre-trip classes.  After debriefing about tie-dying yesterday, we did an icebreaker which was very fun and engaging.  Brian Luthy tought us about the ecology of the southwest, where we will be headed in three days, yes.  Ecology is the study of ecosystems; all the biotic and abiotic things that make a place unique.  The sun is the source of all energy.  Plants process the energy through photosynthesis and animals through cell respiration.  Latitude and altitude are what affect temperature of an ecosystem the most.  Biomes of similar living conditions as well as plants and animals. 
After the lesson, we split up into work groups so we could become orriented with the vans, learn to set up the tents and check to make sure they were in good condition for our extravaganza, and to have individual interviews.  The vans are big and will work well and the tents as well.  The interviews were straight forward and easy, thanks Sarah. 
To top the day we had gender meeting.  I’m not sure about the girls, but the MEN’S meeting went well.  We discussed appropriate conduct.
I can’t wait to leave for the great outdoors and i assume/hope the rest of our group does too.
Sam Bachmann
P.S.- Rymes later…

Hi Everyone,

Wait until you see the new WFSI van that we will be using for the summer trip. Thank you to everyone who has made generous donations to make it happen!

Today we are learning to use some new technology. Blogging, video camera, and netbook computer.

On the final leg of our journey. It has been a wonderful trip; it has been great to be around such great kids.

We are now on the Philadelphia airport waiting for our final flight home. Pizza and wraps are a welcomed treat.