Whale Watching
Selfishness is not a trait that people either working with children or in a leadership position should display. God knows we all feel selfish at times in these roles, but not doing anything selfish is the key part.
I got my butt out of bed at 5:35 this morning to help take about 70 kids and 10 parents on a whale watching trip with OA for a program called "gear up" which takes minority middle school and high school kids on trip rock climbing, backpacking, whale watching, skiing, etc. The day went pretty well at first. We got to the school on time, got the kids their muffins and juice for breakfast and got them on the two charter buses. We got to the ocean, played ice breakers which they really seemed to enjoy. my group even got into a hot potato game, which I didn't expect was something their age group would do. Once on the boat though, things went sour pretty fast. The 'gear up' leader immediately felt sick to her stomach and complained of dry heaving, though I never saw her looking sick at all, just cranky and whiney. A few kids threw up, but oddly enough most were still in good spirits regardless. We saw two whales spouting, which was cool, but soon after this event, when the whales were still rather far away. The leader, named Dr. O, put up such a fuss that everyone felt sick that she lead to the boat being turned around. Once back, she told all the kids that some people didn't feel well and the situation wasn't really safe and not everyone was having fun. All of which was fudged. She felt sick. Not one of the other kids so much as told anyone they felt ill, just threw up over the side and went back to their friends.
The day wasn't a total bust, but there were more low points than that :( which aren't important. I just feel bad for the kids rather frustrating morning when instead of 2 hours on the water they barely got 45 minutes and only two whales when they were supposed to see a bunch. Bummer.
I got my butt out of bed at 5:35 this morning to help take about 70 kids and 10 parents on a whale watching trip with OA for a program called "gear up" which takes minority middle school and high school kids on trip rock climbing, backpacking, whale watching, skiing, etc. The day went pretty well at first. We got to the school on time, got the kids their muffins and juice for breakfast and got them on the two charter buses. We got to the ocean, played ice breakers which they really seemed to enjoy. my group even got into a hot potato game, which I didn't expect was something their age group would do. Once on the boat though, things went sour pretty fast. The 'gear up' leader immediately felt sick to her stomach and complained of dry heaving, though I never saw her looking sick at all, just cranky and whiney. A few kids threw up, but oddly enough most were still in good spirits regardless. We saw two whales spouting, which was cool, but soon after this event, when the whales were still rather far away. The leader, named Dr. O, put up such a fuss that everyone felt sick that she lead to the boat being turned around. Once back, she told all the kids that some people didn't feel well and the situation wasn't really safe and not everyone was having fun. All of which was fudged. She felt sick. Not one of the other kids so much as told anyone they felt ill, just threw up over the side and went back to their friends.
The day wasn't a total bust, but there were more low points than that :( which aren't important. I just feel bad for the kids rather frustrating morning when instead of 2 hours on the water they barely got 45 minutes and only two whales when they were supposed to see a bunch. Bummer.