The Cheerio Adventure

May 2, 2009

Three weeks have passed already. It seems like yesterday I was driving my car down to Camp Cheerio, fighting fatigue from the big event the day before. My focus for so long was the wedding that after it was all said and done my mind actually started to compute how tired I really was.

Now with three weeks behind me here I definitely feel more comfortable. However, I, being the only Camp Cheerio rookie, have had quite the learning curve. After two days of training, the first group arrived, seventy 7th graders.
My experience working with groups in the past has been vast but the total quantity has been on the smaller size when it comes to the entire group size. I will freely admit that a group this size was a bit daunting. Well, I am very fortunate that I am a fast learner because the next week, the group was 140 people. This time, they were 5th graders.

That group was the start of a ten-day marathon. After three days, the bus pulled away and we started to get ready for a bike trip on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Like I mentioned before, I am the only rookie here at Cheerio. With only a certain number of spots available for this bike trip I figured I wouldn’t make the cut. To my surprise, I was picked and we were off to meet our 42 9th graders in Kinston, NC.

This bike trip has been happening for the past 15 years or so. Many of the teachers of the students have been coming for years as well as many of the Cheerio staff. With the logistics of this trip running like clock work, my main job was to ride with a group of about 8 kids for three days. After a slight flat tire setback (about 2 hours) at the Wal-mart 30 minutes from Camp, we made it to our hotel before dinner.

4:30am the next morning we were up and moving to make it to the school to pick up the kids by 6am. In 45 minutes we had to load all of the bikes and then drive another two and a half hours to catch the ferry that would take us to the Outer Banks. This was the greatest stress of the trip. In years past the ferry left at 12:30pm. This year, the ferry left at 10:30am or 2:30pm. With 19 miles to bike that day, the 2:30pm time was not going to work.

We got to the ferry with time to spare and enjoyed the 2-hour ride. We served lunch on the bus, having the kids enter from the back and run through buffet style exiting from the front. Clever set up I thought.

The ferry reached Ocracoke, and the kids separated into groups. I was the sweeper that day so my group had to arrive at the final destination last. Not the most attractive reason to join a group on the first day. So I ended up with an interesting mix of people. I would call them the default group in a lot of ways. A lot of the other groups were too large, so the overflow headed my way not always willingly. I also had some people with health concerns that restricted the speed at which we could bike which caused a little tension. 9th grade boys have a lot of energy and a need for speed. On the 2nd day we had to bike 31 miles. I had to hold them back on several occasions, give a lecture here and there, but that just comes with job. However, we did get to stop and spend time at the ocean and tour the Cape Hatteras lighthouse.

I think out off all the days that we biked the last day was my favorite. It was the shortest day of them all, only 10 miles. There was one student who had ridden with in my group on the 1st day, but because of his battle with a severe illness, he was only able to ride about 8 miles. The second day, he didn’t ride with us at all but met us at the lighthouse and hiked up the 257 steps to the top with me. He really wanted to give biking another go on the last day. Originally, he was going to meet us about 4 miles from the end and then finish with us. He asked me how long I thought he rode on the first day and I told him. “Only two more miles that the first day. I will give it a try,” he said.
Within the first mile the rest of the group was pulling away fast. I had a teacher leading the pack so it didn’t bother me at all if the group separated. They were in good hands. I wanted him to go at any pace that he could do for the distance we had to go. We stopped often for breaks sometimes at my suggestion sometimes at his. Mile by mile we kept going at a pace that was perfect to take in the view. My heart went out to him as I could see evidence of the physical struggle he was facing. I prayed for a nice tailwind to push him along. At one point, we stopped for a break and I could tell he was close to calling it quits. He didn’t. The tailwind that I asked for never came; the finish did. We made it to the end of the ride with groups still behind us.

The frustrations of the previous day no longer existed. It was hard to know what to feel at that point. Personally, I didn’t have to push myself on the ride. But I did get to witness the power of the human will. I couldn’t help but think about some of the struggles that I have faced in my life and how they don’t even begin to compare with what he is facing everyday…a humbling experience.

With the busses loaded, we started the long drive back to Camp. Arriving just before 10pm, we unloaded all the gear and went to bed. The next group was already there. A 7am wake-up call was like sleeping in but my energy tank was already running pretty low. Two days later this group of fifty 8th graders left. I was exhausted but as I had been experiencing during all my days at Camp Cheerio thus far, the days are long but at the end I am able to lay my head on my pillow and feel a sense of satisfaction.

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Todd…I mean Matthew Voss!

April 11, 2009

Lynette and I woke up early. Although the square dance was a wild time, the Big Day was finally here. Hours and months of preparation came down to this day: Lynette’s wedding day. Her days as a single woman were coming to a close. But before that could happen, we had to go get our hair done. Then get ourselves to the church to get our faces painted. Now time to get dressed, which for me meant it was time to put the heals on. Lynette put on her Chacos. A minute later, we were all dressed and prepped for pictures. (I am going to have to throw modesty out the window here and say that we both pretty much looked HOT! Yup. Both of us are not the type to dress up, do anything with our hair, or in my case even own make-up.












This was a very BIG advantage.

With details being covered by Ginger and the rest of the gang, stress was not about to show up on this day. We were prepared and ready. The picture taking process began with clans, then extended families, grandparents, and on down to the bridal party. It was a long process, but when my turn came around we got to throw some fun shots in there too (i.e. Lynette and I pretending to fight each other with our bouquets).

The awaited moment finally arrived. The crowd stood as the bride walked down the aisle to meet her groom. I worked hard to pay attention to what was said. But as the maid of honor and the only on in the bridal party, I had a lot to think about. I had several places I had to stand and move to as well as hold two bouquets, fix the bride’s train and try my hardest not to fall over (remember, I was wearing heals).

Vows were said, the bride was dipped for her kiss, and Matt and Lynette were finally married. Mr. and Mrs. Voss made there way over to the reception in the Student Center Piazza, as did the guests for the social event of the season.

Although there was no dancing to entertain the guest, there was Steve Lennox and our good friend Aletheia to keeps the crowds entertain. As the MCs of the event, it was their job to introduce the wedding party and finally the Bride and Groom. All was going well. Aletheia and Steve were doing a fine job. The moment arrived for Aletheia to introduce the happy couple. She was prepared and let Steve know it was all her. With Stevie Wonder’s Signed, Sealed, and Delivered playing in the background, Aletheia raises the mic and announces, “And now give it up for our happy couple, Mr. and Mrs. Todd…I mean Matthew Voss.” Laughter fills the room as embarrassment overcomes Aletheia. As an employee of Indiana Wesleyan where Dr. Todd Voss’s name is heard and said on a daily basis, everyone could understand how she could easily slip up. Leave it to Aletheia to make these more memorable.

The rest of the reception was filled with more funny and memorable moments perfectly sequenced. The food was fantastic and the punch to die for. The evening was culminated with one final photo shoot outside at the fountain. With students and friends holding Voss water bottles, we all jumped off the fountain with the bride and groom for one last hurrah.

The time came for the good-byes to begin. Not only did I have to say good-bye to Matt and Lynette, but I also had to say good-bye to all the friends that were made over the past seven months. North Carolina was my next destination. The beginning of a new chapter.

Wesleyans can Dance

April 10, 2009

All her life, little Lynette imagined her wedding. She always imagined all those that she loved gathering in one place, sharing this important milestone in her life. Well, she might not have always imagined exactly that but something she discovered in all the weddings she has been to over the years is that the wedding is good and all, but the reception should be where the party is at. Her idea: have square dancing. Everyone, young and old, can do it and really don’t have to have a lot of rhythm. So when it came to planning her wedding, a square dance had to be worked in. For her, it was a non-negotiable.

Slight problem. Although the doctrine of the Wesleyan Church has changed as has the policy at Indiana Wesleyan there was some fine print that wasn’t going to allow Lynette to have a square dance at her reception.

Solution: Have a square dance at the rehearsal dinner. After a few more hiccups on a location, everything was in place and a square dance caller was found.

Unfortunate Setback: Original Caller, Dick, has a stroke days before the big event. While in the hospital, Dick final says the word “wedding” to remind his wife that he won’t be able to make it. Bless his heart.

A replacement is found and the day of the dreamed about (and much talked of) event takes place. Coupled with homemade ice cream, the night is a complete success. People who would never get up on a dance floor were dancing the night away and having the time of their lives. And to top it all off, people dressed the part. There was everything from overalls to authentic western shirts, hats, and cowboy boots (thanks Goodwill).

It is true Lynette had to fight for this event to take place. By the end of the night, the fight was well worth it as everyone walked away happy to discover that Wesleyan’s actually can dance.

Creating the Next Generation

March 29, 2009

Babies, babies, and more babies. Spring brings new life all around us and so is the case for many of the family friends that I grew up with. This past weekend, I headed back home to Michigan for Mindy (Watson) Drummond’s baby shower. Baby Drummond is the first in the line up of babies coming into the world. He will arrive in early May. My nephew will be coming in late May. My cousin will be having her baby girl in the beginning of June and Mindy’s sister Melissa will have her baby boy in late June.

It was great being at Mindy’s shower because the entire hometown crowd was there including all of the Watson clan and most of the Adams family. With many of us being spread out to different parts of the country and the world it has been a long time since all of the Westbrook, Watson, and Adams clans have been together. It was good to be reunited once more as the circle continues to grow with the next generation.

SB 09 Family Reunions

March 25, 2009

It seemed that 2 days of separation was too much for the group of us. The Wednesday after Spring Break we found ourselves back together once again for a family dinner to celebrate Jordan’s birthday complete with a piñata. 2 days later is was movie night with The Man from Snowy River and the night after that the girls got together to make granola and a thank you card for Chuck and Jean.

After a week you would think our attachment to each other would have died down, especially with the routine of school decreasing free time. Not the case as I invited everyone over for another family dinner the following Wednesday. 7 days after that, a campfire with smores out at Ketchum Woods.

After all of the trips that I have been on with a group of people, rarely have I seen this happen. I have left trips with talks of reunions but have never actually been to one let along 5. This is a true testament to what the outdoors can do. We found ourselves facing several crises over that short week which made all of us realize that we needed each other to lean on and found that we were all there to support each other. And still are.

Spring Break 09

February 28 – March 7, 2009
Sea Kayaking
Little St. George Island, FL

I don’t even know where to begin when it comes to describing this trip. Lynette asked me to co-lead this trip with her at first but ended up backing out due to the upcoming wedding. Leah and I along with Ryan Bowen and Chris Collins loaded up vans with 7 other girls and 9 other guys and started the drive down to St. George Island.

The word of the week was Epic and that really is the only term I can think of to describe this trip. Quick summary:

Saturday
6:30am: Leave for Florida
11:30pm: Arrive at Journeys (Kayak rental place) sleep in vans in parking lot.

Sunday
Wake up cold with the van swaying in the wind
Because of the windy conditions, no go on kayaking to the island
Hang out at local diner Fire Station #9
Met Chuck and Jean. They give us some ideas one what to do in the area.
Explore Tate’s Hell (really, that is what it is called)
Meet Chuck and Jean for pizza. They offer the girls a place to stay. The boys head to Rod’s house…a guy that Emily (one of the girls) met earlier in the day and offered to help us out

Monday
Get the okay to put the boats in on the Gulf side even though it is still a little windy
Strap all gear to boats
Start the 6 miles journey to Little St George Island.
Jake capsizes
Get Jake into his boat
I capsize
I get back into my boat
Start paddling
3 miles in the group gets spread out at this point. The main focus: getting over the waves.
Hear someone yelling “Help”
Head towards the shore, Christa’s boat is sinking.
Get half the group on shore. Dump boats, get people moving to stay warm. More of the group arrives. Point out the ambulance lights flashing back down the beach.
Rescue truck arrives to see how we were doing. Inform us of the situation down the beach. 4 people from the group have hypothermia.
Series of events lead to the entire group reuniting once again with everyone in one piece and just fine.
Fire Chief offers us a place to stay in the firehouse.
Have dinner, dry out, and play a couple rounds of Bingo complete with a legit Bingo board.

Tuesday
Put the boats in the water once again this time on the bayside.
Make it to the Island with no issues. Amazing!
Set up camp
Make dinner. Enjoy campfire. Go to bed.

Wednesday
Wake up to tent making whipping sounds
Stay awake for the rest of the night wondering if our tent is going to blow away with all of us in it.
Finally breakfast time
Guys hike to different part of island
Girls have a relaxing day in the sun with some good conversation
Move the tent to a less windy location
Enjoy a good nights sleep

Thursday
Wake up to beautiful sunrise
Girls start the hike to the research center on the island
Guys visit it in the morning and start hiking back to the base camp
Explore research center and make it back to camp just in time for dinner
Round of Silent Football around the fire
Sleep

Friday
Wake up to a beautiful day. All head to the beach to enjoy last day on the island
Paul whips out his blue leisure suit for prom
Feast by the fire with deep questions and new insights
Say good night

Saturday
Early wakeup call
Boats back in the water on the bayside
Make it back to the kayak trailer with out a problem
Load the vans to head back
Flight the crowds as the Annual Chili Cook-off invades St. George Island

Sunday
The Black Widow (the mini van) having some problems
7:30am Arrive at IWU completely exhausted

I would include in here the original plan but I can hardly remember it. God had a different plan for us and showed Himself so many times throughout the trip through providing us with places to stay or having a dolphin give us a show as we did our morning yoga. The trip started with 20 strangers piling in to vans. At the end of it all, we came back a family with memories of a trip that with be engraved in our memories for years to come.

Valentine's Day

February 12, 2009

In a recent article about this years ACCT conference, a guy by the name of Joe was mentioned as being the one that was roped in to taking all of us to the Wild West so we could do some line dancing. Well, in return for that favor, he asked that we do something for him. He wanted to make Valentine’s Day something special for his wife se we came up with a plan. We would make and serve them dinner after which they would go to the Java and Jazz event on campus. Since Lynette did all the cooking it was up to me and the three L’s (Laurinda, Leah, and Lauren) to give them a night to remember. Well, that is exactly what we did. From the romantic atmosphere with fabulous background music to the menu cards and superb food, the night ran without a hitch and with a few memorable moments captured.

Snow Sculpture

February 3, 2009
















I wish I could claim this work of art but the truth is I have no idea who did it. I have heard that it was 3 or 4 college students. Whoever it was did a very impressive job and did Leonardo proud I am sure.

The Lone Star State

January 28 - February 1, 2009

In the past the coming of the new year is exciting until you reach January 2nd. Then the hard facts of many more months of snow begin to set in as does the wondering if spring will ever arrive. In the past three years the realization that January 2nd was here only brought excitement because this meant that the ACCT conference was fast approaching. As I exited the Soderquist Center, I wondered if the ACCT Conference would exit my life. Well, I didn't let it. Somehow, the way was made and I, along with Leah, Lauren, Laurinda (3 of Lynette's staff) and Lyentte found our way to Houston, Texas.

I love the ACCT conference just for the tiny fact that it is in a different location every year. I had never been to Houston before which was the case for Portland last year. The conference was good. I will admit that it wasn't as good as last year when it comes to the workshops, but as a networking function, it was hard to beat this year. The world became very small as some of the other Service Crew folks were from Converse, Indiana which is a whole, whopping twelve miles away from Marion. Through getting to know them, we discovered that they drove to Houston. Although this was very impressive, I asked the next question with a little angle of my own. "What did you drive down?" I asked. I am sure to Joe this seemed like a innocent enough question. "A mini van" was pretty much all I heard from his answer. My mind immediately began to do the math. 2 of them plus 5 of us equals 7. Being the sharp man that he is, he caught on to what I was thinking with my next question. "And that holds 7 people right?"

Prior to this conversation, the 5 IWUers thought it would be fun to try and find a line dancing place. I mean what else do you do when you go to Texas? Fortunately, line dancing is choreographed which made the idea of going dancing much better. It has been tradition ever sense Lynette and I started going to this conference to skip the closing ceremonies on Saturday night to do something fun. Last year we ran to Washington. The year before that we went and saw Blue Man group and the year before that we went and hung out with people that we knew that lived in Denver. Traditions take a little effort sometimes, so when I saw the opportunity door open, I walked through with boldness.

Like I said, Joe is a sharp man. He's next question to me was, "Where do you need me to take you?" Pulling out the don't want to inconvenience you card, I replied, "well, there is this line dancing place only 2 and a half miles away that we were thinking about going to. We can walk though."

8:30pm rolls around. We find ourselves piled into a minivan and heading toward The Wild West. Line dancing was the expectation. Instead we arrive to see couples contra-dancing. We are now faced with the biggest issue. 5 ladies sitting there with no one to dance with. What about Joe and Derec (the two guys from Converse, IN)? Upon agreeing to bring us they verbalized that if the place we were going didn't have any pool tables they were going to drop us off and go find a place that did. Fare enough. When we entered, they saw the pool tables and went toward them bringing us to our current problem.

After watching the couples work their way around the dance floor (average age about high 30s low 40s), one of us spots an older man sitting across the dance floor all by himself. Opportunity! I turn to Lynette, know that she can't turn down a good challenge, and double dare her to go and ask him to dance. She and Lauren accept my challenge. Minutes later, Lynette is pulled to the side of the dance floor for a practice round on steps. Then she is out of on the dance floor. While Lynette is getting her dance lesson, the last of us walk over and join Lauren who fills us in on the details.

Lynette sat down next to Leroy and casually inquired about the couples where dancing, He told her the polka and asked if she knew anything about it. She replied that she didn't and then she proceeded to ask if she would like to learn.

Leroy didn't sit down again for about an hour and a half. Once a song was over, he would ask if one of us wanted to dance the polka or the two-step or the waltz and then off one of us would go with him. Throughout the course of the evening, we found out that Leroy was 80 years old. He had climbed the highest peak in 41 different states. The only states left where in the Pacific Northwest including Washington the home of Mt Rainier. 41 states is a lot but over the course of 80 years that isn't too bad. Well, after further inquiry we discovered that he has only been doing this for the past 5 years. If her climbs Mt Rainier he will set the record for the oldest man to do it (the current record being 78).

When 10 o'clock rolled around we noticed the atmosphere of the Wild West change to be a little bit more wild so we decided it was time for us to leave. Of course we couldn't do that without getting our picture taken with our fantastic teacher. We all left the Wild West with a mutual affection. While getting ready to go, we knew that we made his night for he told us a couple of times and that he would have a story to tell all of those friends that usually met him at this place but couldn't make it this evening. That was a good feeling. But we can only hope that he felt and thought the same thing because without him being there we wouldn't have had such a great time or such a fabulous story either. Thanks Leroy!