864.457.6383
MindStretch Travel Adventures - Summer Travel Camp for Boys
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Director/Staff
    • FAQ
    • How a Day Unfolds
    • What They're Saying
  • We're Unique!
  • NC High Country 2026
    • More to Know
    • NC 2026 Application >
      • 2026 Extra Notes
  • Ramblings
  • Photos
  • Contact Me
    • Suggest a Friend

And it's over...

7/22/2016

0 Comments

 

The day started early with our wake-up call at 6. Boys were on time with their luggage and we had rooms inspected and keys collected and check-out completed by 6:40. We were at the airport right when we planned to be (7 AM) and had a smooth processing of baggage and seat assignments. Boarded the plane on time, and then the slow down began.
Apparently there was an issue with the cargo nets and that caused us to have a 90 minute delay out of Jackson. We made it to Minneapolis-St. Paul late, of course, but they were holding the plane for us. That’s a major advantage of having a group. The Charlotte arrival wasn’t too late, but about 25% of the boys and leaders didn’t have their luggage. It will arrive tomorrow, delivered to our homes. All but a minor inconvenience.
 
But that’s the boring stuff.
 
We had an incredible trip. This group of 25 boys have had experiences that will leave them with memories that will last a lifetime. They’ve hiked in some of the most incredible country in the world. We went on a trail ride by horseback, rafted a river, observed natural features that couldn’t help but impress. They went to a rodeo, had tours at museums, visited historic sites, and ate a lot of food. Yes, a lot of junk food…but some healthy stuff too! They went swimming, experienced a chuck wagon dinner along with a cowboy music show, saw wildlife they haven’t seen before such as elk, black bear, moose, antelope, and more.
 
Some learned how to keep motel rooms neat, others not so much. Most kept up with hotel keys, but a few are still looking.
 
They did a lot of souvenir shopping. They bought a lot of knives. They made some new friends and learned a little more about some of their older friends. They also learned a bit about taking care of themselves without parents along. For most of the boys, this was their longest time away from home.
 
Oh, and they learned to live without electronics. It wasn't easy, but the boys found other ways to use all that time: playing cards, reading, talking, looking at scenery, being funny.
 
And boys learned a lot about themselves. They all gained in self-confidence.
 
They also practiced common courtesies such as taking their hats off for dinner, saying please and thank you. They earned some treats for compliments from strangers.
 
And of course, they had a good time. We all had a good time. A trip like this can only be appreciated by those experiencing it, but we hope these Facebook and blog postings have at least given you a taste of what the MTA life is like.
 
A huge thanks to Howard Yarborough, Andy Lammers, Don Silleman, and Andy Clack for their devoted help in making these trips work. And of course, thanks for your friendship. You guys made it all come together.
 
Hope we’ll see a bunch of these boys next year!
 
And now, enjoy the rest of your summers.

Click the link to see photos from the past summer:
www.flickr.com/photos/mindstretch/
Picture
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Mark Levin

    I never imagined that when I started taking kids on travel trips in 1978 that I would still be taking trips today! It has been a great ride and I'm looking forward to more.

    Over the years I've had the fortune to travel across the US several times, visit Canada several times, experienced Alaska, the Bahamas, Mexico, and Europe several times. 

    Archives

    March 2021
    November 2020
    July 2020
    April 2020
    July 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    November 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011

    Categories

    All
    Alaska
    Biking
    Buffalo Bill
    Camper Achievements
    Canada
    Cass Scenic Railroad
    Colorado
    Colorado Rockies
    Colorado Wolf And Education Center
    Craig Jolly
    Dubois
    Electronics At Camp
    Eurail
    Europe
    Flying W Ranch
    Geocaching
    Grand Tetons
    Great Smoky Mountains National Park
    Greenbrier River Trail
    Hiking
    Hugh Neff
    International Campers
    Montana
    National Parks
    New England
    New Mexico
    North Carolina
    Rocky Mountain National Park
    Roswell
    Royal Gorge
    Second Generation Campers
    Storytellers
    Street Musicians
    Virginia
    West Virginia
    Whitehorse
    Wyoming
    Yellowstone

(c) 2025 MindStretch Travel Adventures