Scribe Reports

I was the trip scribe-so I wrote emails to the parents a few times per week. Here's the scribe resports :-)

Hello Trip #4 Parents!


“la la la de de…everybody’s gonna love today, love today, love today, everybody’s gonna love today. Love, love love!” That’s how we start each day … “Love Today” by Mika. Sorry parents, you do not get five trip leaders dancing up and down the aisles of the bus! After that, we sing a Lady Gaga and Journey mashup (Just Stop Dancing), Katy Perry ‘s California Girls and as we drive away, we rock out to our morning mix.



We have also woken up each day to breathtaking views. In Boulder, Colorado, it was the view of the Rockies from our residence hall at the University of Colorado Boulder Our first night in Colorado we had an awesome dinner at a restaurant called the sink, with a cool college-vibe, where we could even leave our mark by writing on colorfully decorated walls. We found the wall where previous WCC trips had left their mark and added ours. We also added a little description … “best trip ever.” The Sink is a great college hangout known for its wings and burgers – which many of us tried with the World Famous “Sink Sauce.”Also on campus, we bowled, played pool, and met new friends. At times, the competition heated up; especially when the expert bowlers were going head to head with those bowling backwards and through their legs.

The view of the Rockies got even better as we rode our bikes along the Boulder creek. Boulder is a city full of life and people enjoying the outdoors, and it was great to be a part of that. “I liked going under the tunnels and by the water” said Olivia. The path brought us close to some of the mountains and past some of Boulders famous parks. “I hadn’t ridden a bike in five years,” said Ally H, “I was so proud of myself.” We also strolled along the shops at famous Pearl Street. Some of boys befriended a balloon artist and were presented with hats, swords and even a rocket ship with a “turbo booster.” We had an awesome picnic lunch, played some games and relaxed in the hot sun.

In the evening, we hit up Elitch Gardens Amusement Park. The two most popular rides without a doubt were the Mind Eraser and a Ghostblasters shoot ‘em up ride. “The rides were awesome, actually everything was awesome. We did so much today!” said Sam B.

After the Rockies, the next amazing sight to wake up to was the snow capped Grand Teton Mountains at our campground in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, just outside of Yellowstone National Park. We enjoyed the bus ride to see the famous Old Faithful geyser, on the way viewing elk (or maybe a female moose … no one was quite sure so we agreed it was a unicorn), the winding river, and the Grand Teton Mountain Range. Old Faithful is so famous because it erupts regularly, and we were able to witness the old geyser put on its show, spewing high into the air. We also took a look at the naturally steaming hot springs in their vibrant green, orange, and blue colors. We marveled that all this beautiful activity occurs naturally every day!

A view of Jackson Hole from a chairlift in summer was our afternoon pastime. At the top we were able to race or roll down the mountain on a sled led along a winding track, called alpine sliding. “The alpine slide was really fun, it was really fast!” said Cailin.

During the evening in Jackson Hole, a Hanna Montana lunch box, shark teeth, Jackson Hole sweatshirt, the shirt off a stranger’s back, and $40 sunglasses were just a few of the items exchanged for a pen, in our pen exchange event. Each group was given a pen and told to see what they could exchange it for. Congratulations to the team with the most exchanges - 9! That was Judy, Olivia, Brooke, Ali R, Ally H, and Deena. And the team with the most impressive exchange, which was Judy, Jessica, and Anna who started with a pen and ended with a bottle of designer Prada perfume!

The next morning, lots of strong rowers, teamwork, singing, and a friendly competition between the two rafts made white water rafting a blast! Ali R and Sam B were brave enough to get into the cold water in the swimmable area. The time flew by with songs and cheers such as Row Row Row Your Boat (in rounds of course), Build Me Up Butter Cup, and We’ve Got Spirit! Our guide remarked that in his entire career, he had never heard a boat sing the entire way down the river!

That night we set up camp in Salt Lake City, Utah, had a wonderful Italian meal (including meatballs) and played a game of “Make me laugh.” Four people descended upon someone in the hot seat. They had one and a half minutes to make the person laugh. Trip Director Jared was out within 3 seconds, and Ditty was the sole leader to keep a straight face! Some trip members stepped up to the challenge including birthday girl Jessica, Brooke, and Judy. Judy was the only camper to keep a straight face! We also enjoyed a birthday decorated bus along with cake and ice cream to celebrate Jessica’s birthday!

Let’s end this email with THE trip 4 cheer …

“I, 2, 3 … TRIP 4!”

Talk to you soon!

Your Trip 4 leaders

Jared, Jessica, Paige, Ditty, and Caitlin


Hi Trip #4 Followers,


“10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1-Welcome to California” yelled Trip Director Jared as the California song mix began. We sang along to Hotel California, California girls, and Surfin USA, and the Californian Extravaganza #4 has officially hit California!

Our first day in the Golden state was one of our best, completing a ropes course as a group. There were several climbs of varying heights and difficulty, and the amount of challenge was up to each trip member to decide for themselves. One of the highest climbs, called the Leap of Faith, was conquered first by Emma followed by Anna, Sam K, Sam B, Josh, Alec, Dan, and Joni. Another climb, called the Firecracker required a lot of arm strength, and our guides told us only about fifty people out of about 500 will complete it each summer. However, Josh completed the Firecracker four times! The ropes course leaders commented that group was one of the most supportive they have seen, cheering each other on the whole session. Calin was very proud she participated in a group favorite, the Tarzan Swing. “I really liked the ropes course. The tarzan swing was the best for me-especially deciding when I wanted to swing and pulling the chord” said Brenna.

And the first night in California was marked with delicious banana boats, which are banana, chocolate, and marshmallow wrapped up in tin foil and melted in the campfire. Camille created what was deemed THE perfect banana boat for trip leader Paige. And Ryan entertained us with his guitar.

Lake Tahoe, California allows a simultaneous and stunning view of the beach, snow capped mountains, and pine tree forests, and it was the perfect place to celebrate the 4th of July. The morning began entering a bus full of red, white, and blue streamers and balloons and rocking out to Born in the USA. We also celebrated with beach time sunbathing, sports games, and a barbeque. “Volley ball at the beach was tons of fun,” said Alec. Our expert grillers Jerry and Sam B cooked up some mean burgers and hot dogs. And the highlight of the day was the thrill of tubing on the lake. “I liked how while I was tubing, I could look up at the mountains,” said Taylor.

At sunset we enjoyed a private yacht around the Lake. “It was a great day. We got to lie out, the boat was so nice, and relaxing” said Joni. “I liked being together with the whole group on our own boat” said Laura.

Dinner at the camp site was Lake Tacohes (known as tacos in regions other than Lake Tahoe). And Sam L made a great 4th of July themed presentation menu for the group.

Before we hit California, trip 4 had a fun time camping in Salt Lake City, Utah. We visited Lagoon amusement and water park. The water park was perfect for those seeking the excitement of the fast body slides like Alec, Dan, and Matt or anyone who wanted to relax in the lazy river. We road the roller coaster Wicked as a group, which went straight up vertically 90 degrees!

Trip 4 celebrated Canada Day on July 1st with a morning rendition of “Oh Canada” from our Canadians-Ryan, Deena, Paige, and Ditty. Our camp site was decorated with red and white streamers, and we ate delicious cookie pie frosted with the Canadian flag.

Dinner was delicious Mexican fajitas with the works. Calin mashed up the homemade guacamole with her own two hands. And we learned some Spanish words like frijoles (beans) and torta (cake) from our cooking group the Eagles. Camping was a real bonding experience for the group. “I liked sleeping in the tents, and the atmosphere. It was so fun,” said Julia.

Our next stop was a night in Winnemucca, Nevada. We took a big group picture in front of the Welcome to Winnemucca sign, which is located on the junction of Potatoe Road and Winnemucca Boulevard. Trip 4 had fun at the hotel, after four days of camping, and enjoyed both the pool and hot tub.

Our bus rides have been full of heated games, such as categories, which was “name the most”-songs with colors in the title, things my girlfriend stole from me, things that go boom. Another favorite bus game is “hum dinger” where a song is selected for the participant to listen to on head phones, and they must hum the song while everyone guesses. Anna was the queen of this game!

Trip 4 is also looking forward to the arrival of two new trip members who will join us in San Francisco, Maria and Camilla from Italy. Brenna, Sam, Camille, and Jessi worked hard at the camp site creating beautiful welcome signs!

Again, let’s end this email with THE trip 4 cheer …

“I, 2, 3 … TRIP 4!”


Talk to you soon!

Your Trip 4 leaders

Jared, Jessica, Paige, Ditty, and Caitlin