February 15, 2015

Senior Trip 2015

I can't believe it's that time of year when our school's secondary staff and students participate in week-long service trips off campus. All grades venture into the community to offer their services toward well-needed projects, except the Senior Class who goes on a trip designed for pure relaxation, fun and bonding. It's what our students look forward to ever since they start High School... and that’s what I look forward to as chaperone each year!


There are so many amazing beach resorts around Thailand and the seniors chose a good one this year, having us go to The Peter Pan Resort on the island of Koh Kood; a 4 hour bus ride from Bangkok down the east coast of the Bay of Thailand and then a 1 hour boat ride from the dock to island.







As is typical, there is a lot of free time on the Senior Trip interrupted by wonderful meals (provided by the resort) and the occasional group activity. One day our group traveled by speed boat to a nearby island for snorkeling.






The crystal clear water makes it possible to watch schools of fish both in the water and from the boat. One girl was particularly excited to see Dory from the movie Finding Nemo in school that day. With the variety of fish that showed up near our boat looking for bread, I have no doubt that Dory was there that day... or at least a relative =)




The staff designed a relay race for the 81 students on our last full day. Nine teams of nine students participated in 3 segments of the race: a) kayaking and portaging along the beach, b) racing in waist-deep water, and c) building sand castles.







I thought the sand sculpture of the sinking of the Titanic particularly creative. The only thing they seemed to forget was the orchestra playing on deck as the ship sank!



Winning teams were given mock-tails and soda for their efforts before sitting down to our last evening of sharing memories at ICS (some students having started in Kindergarten 13 years ago) and then thoughts about transitioning to college next year.






It's always a privilege to be able to participate, not only in the lives of these students throughout the year, but on this trip that marks the end of their High School chapter and start of life-after-ICS.