9 days into this adventure ~ Update from their fearless leader!!!

Hi Parents!

I am really enjoying reading all of your emails! We just arrived at the UK Sailing Academy this evening. The delegates are off learning how to play Cricket and Rugby with some of the instructors here. They have given the leaders a bit of free time and the use of their computers!!! We have had a GREAT time so far! It has been a bit exhausting but everyone was able to catch up on their sleep a bit during their homestays. We started off in London and enjoyed the view from the London Eye. That was a nice way to start our touring. We had an early night (since we didn't get much sleep on the plane). The next day we had a wonderful surprise when we saw the Trooping of the Colour! We got front row standing space to see the parade which included the Princes and the Queen...what a cool experience! We met Henry VIII for lunch (the young version) and then moved on to the Tower of London. We were lucky enough to have NO waiting line to see the Crown Jewels so we made our way in and we were greatful we went when we did because the line when we got out was so long! Then we made our way over for a cruise down the River Thames. We had an evening at the theater...what an experience! Our play was...educational...the acting and singing was great but I'm not sure everyone enjoyed the content. We had a few sleepers in the group. The next day was quite busy. We met a retired member of Parliament and had an interesting talk with him (a few more sleepers). Then we moved on to the Cabinet War Rooms and had some free time to shop and watch street performers at Covent Gardens. We went on a tour of Shakespear's Globe Theater which was really cool then made our way to the Imperial War Museum. Then we took a bus ride to Runnymede and some students took the hike to see where the Magna Carta was signed, some went to see the JFK memorial, and some just enjoyed lunch in the sunshine. It was a quick stop and we were a bit rushed. I think that night was one of the highlights of the trip so far...an evening at Warwick Castle. It was so cool! We were the only people on the castle grounds and the delegates all learned how to bow fight, shoot bows & arrows, sword fight, and watch a ball of fire being thrown through the air by the world's most powerful Trebuchet! What an awesome experience we had...a few less fingers for the rest of the trip after the sword fighting...joking! The next day we made our way back to the castle and had a few hours to tour the castle and the grounds. It was great! We had a nice time in Oxford...you will see many sweatshirts from there. Some delegates were able to try their hand at punting (using a pole to move and guide a flat bottom boat). Lots of great laughing moments! Off we went to meet our homestay families...the scariest moment we have yet to encounter! Until we met up with everyone the next morning and they were having a great time with their families! The families really went out of their way to show our delegates a good time. That brings us to today. We had a nice surprise...our bus driver agreed to take us by Stonehenge! Yes, we were able to see it. We did not have time in our schedule to get out and walk aroung the area, but our driver drove by very slowly so that we could see the formation and take plenty of pictures. That was a nice, unexpected treat!

All of the delegates seem to be having a really great time and are blending well with the delegates from the other groups that we blended with! We have had a few delegates who have felt a bit under the weather but we are making sure they get some medicine, fluids, and as much rest as they can. We have had a few homesick people, but we are working through that as well with lots of hugs and reminders of the great things we have seen and will see in the next few days. Overall, it has been a wonderful trip and everyone is having a great time! If you receive a phone call from your student and they are having any problems, please have them tell us so that we can assist them. We have heard from some of the other delegation's parents that their delegates are calling home for help but not telling us that they are having problems with something. Please have them tell me if there is a problem...that is what I am here for :) We have such a wonderful group and I feel so priviledged to be traveling with your children! They are wonderful!

Thank you to all of you who are working on organizing the pictures. We keep reminding the delegates to take pictures of things other than their food, friends, and feet :) Y'all are awesome!

When we return home, try to get as much info as possible about the trip. The first few days seem to be the best time to find out about their trip. They will have so many cool things to tell you!

Enjoy the next 8 days and we will see you soon!

Jennifer