From the Proud Parent File...
My son, 12, found out today that he won an essay competition sponsored by Outward Bound! He gets an all-expense paid (including airfare and hiking boots and supplies) 10-day Outward Bound adventure in the Maryland Wilderness this summer!
He will be in a group of other Expeditionary Learning School students, and will get to participate in a high ropes course, backpacking through the wild, rock climbing, community service, leadership training, and learning navigation skills. He is so excited and I am proud of him.
I love my boys' school and the opportunities the teachers and administration give students to become fully realized beings.
I knew he was entering the competition, but he didn't let me read his essay. I still have no idea what he said!
Congats, 12!! I know you will have a blast!
Posted by: Cindy | April 20, 2007 at 04:44 PM
Good for him! Sounds like a lot of fun.
Posted by: Scott L | April 20, 2007 at 08:55 PM
How awesome! Congratulations, and I'm certain he'll have an unbelievably fun experience.
Posted by: melody | April 20, 2007 at 09:20 PM
well done 12 !! woohoo....have a ball :-))
Posted by: Shrexy | April 20, 2007 at 09:37 PM
See? Writing talent is in your blood -- 12 has obviously inherited it from you! :-)
Posted by: Patia | April 20, 2007 at 10:36 PM
The ink doesn't fall far from the pen!
Posted by: Mike | April 21, 2007 at 05:17 AM
Congratulations, 12! Talent runs in the family.
Posted by: Miss T | April 21, 2007 at 05:23 AM
well GOOD FOR HIM!
and bless all three of you.. family is SO important.
Posted by: Lloyd | April 21, 2007 at 10:04 AM
You are an extraordinary family but then you knew that. If 12 needs a "local" contact in Maryland for any reason, make sure he knows our 411, so-to-speak. We are right outside DC in MD.
Posted by: John Bell | April 21, 2007 at 11:34 AM
Wow! Life-changing opportunity... his essay AFTER the trip should be quite interesting too.
Yay for Twelve!
Posted by: Stever | April 21, 2007 at 12:25 PM
he gets to...
Go where no Birdie Boy of 12 has gone before !!
set phasers to stun !!
Beam me up Ulak !!
Posted by: Shrexy | April 22, 2007 at 07:48 AM
Hey, WOW, Birdie -- that's frickin' fantabulous! Outward Bound will be a life-shaping experience for him -- what a great opportunity!!
I'm commenting from a totally cool "youth opportunity" internet cafe right across the street from the Old Vic in London where I'm supposed to meet a friend for dinner in a little while. Finally a spare few minutes to catch up on my Birdie blog reading :-)
This trip, while no outward bound adventure, has certainly been adventure enough for me. What a wide and wonderful world we live in -- and nice people abound all over the place.
Can't wait to come home and tell you all about it. I miss my dog, I miss my computer, and most of all, I miss my favorite pillow (that would be the warm and comforting shoulder of my very own beloved husband) Had a great visit with Dick Jones and his utterly beautiful family over the weekend.
Let's hear it for blog friendships near and far!
Posted by: carroll | April 23, 2007 at 08:58 AM
Thanks so much, everyone! 12 is excited beyond belief! Outward Bound is shipping him a new pair of hiking boots to break in before the ten days of fun, so I can see a hike up Hermit's Peak in the near future.
I built a cable walk in the backyard so he could get a little practice with ropes before the adventure, ha ha! I'll take photos when the boys are home from school.
Posted by: Birdie | April 23, 2007 at 10:33 AM
right on, 12! good on you!
Posted by: barbie2be | April 23, 2007 at 01:56 PM
Holey Schmoley, that is amazing! 12 you are amazing!
Since I'm from Maryland myself, I'm as curious as heck about where this camp will be!
Posted by: Wandering Willow | April 25, 2007 at 01:46 PM
Way to go XII! A feather off the old Bird.
Posted by: Rick | April 26, 2007 at 09:28 AM