JW’s Off to Camp
September 26, 2018
James Wilson went on a school trip for an entire week! The school calls it “Residentials” also known as “Camp”. They go right off the bat in the first few weeks of school so the students can get to know each other and the teachers as quickly as possible. Isn’t that cool?
Each grade goes to a different location. His class went to Someren, a couple of hours away in the Dutch countryside. His class is going to be doing “land-based activities” and the grade ahead of him is doing “water-based activities.” We were given a packing list, and a list of emergency contact numbers, but very few details. We were assured it’s tradition and that the children all have a wonderful time and that everything is under control, and that’s that!
We’re allowed to call him between 6-8pm, but not “whilst eating”. Both times we’ve talked to him he’s been happy and excited. He filled us in quickly on some of the fun games they’ve been playing (scavenger hunts, and solving mysteries, and lots of running around outside) and assured us that the snacks he brought were not inappropriate at all. Some of the other kids brought much more junk food, apparently, so that’s good.
I’m so glad he’s having a good time and bonding with his friends and teachers. So far, this school year is off to such a great start. And it’s also nice that I have the week to myself to work on getting unpacked and settled in.
I’m meeting James at Ikea tonight so we can pick up JW’s bed. We went last weekend but didn’t have enough room in the rental car because we also went to a store called Lood 5 that some locals told us about, and I went berserk buying stuff. It’s the coolest store — It’s like Ikea mated with World Market in Williamsburg Brooklyn. I’d love to go back again tonight since we’re renting a car again to pick up the bed, but they close too early.
It’s probably for the best…. we need to prioritize our spending and our top priority while we’re here is to travel so I can’t be spending ALL our money on fancy bird cage chandeliers. One’s enough! .
In the course of the less than two months JW has been in Amsterdam he has had more opportunities for growth than he has experienced in his 12 years here. We may not recognize him by the time we see him again. Should bring back memories for you.
Update: Last night JW called to say that he was mountain biking with his group and he fell behind, but the teacher had told them to “follow the blue arrows” so he did, however the teacher apparently took the group on a detour. He said he was lost in the woods and heard either a coyote or a wolf or maybe it was a tractor, and he considered trying to make a fire with some sticks he saw in the woods, but eventually he found his group by following the blue arrows. He said everyone was worried about him, and he was offered water and some food and is mostly recovered.