Last week of September

This week in LEAP we played these strategic exercise games. We got into three different large groups and two of them had giant logs. All of the groups had to switch off between three different stations after completing the tasks at each of them. The first station we went to had four logs set out into a square. We all had to stand on the logs and try to walk across them going clockwise without falling off. We had to do this for a certain amount of time and then we had to turn counterclockwise. After that we were instructed to designate four different people to be blindfolded. We then had to help and guide these people walk across the logs and make sure they didn’t fall off. After this task was completed there was a rubber chicken placed in the middle of the logs. We had to somehow move all of the logs so the chicken wasn’t surrounded by them and we couldn’t step off of the logs. We did this task a couple of times. After that we moved on to the next station. At this station there were two logs set up with ropes attached to them. We had to place the logs side by side and step one foot on each log, grabbing a rope on each log at the same time. After that we had to walk with the two logs as a group and get passed a certain point. At the next station we got to play a bunch of fun games and this was our relaxing time.

CPR class

This week for LEAP I had to do a CPR training. It was actually this morning, I had to be at the school at 8 am prepared for learning.  In this training class we had dummies to practice all of our new skills on.  We learned how to give CPR to people of all ages and we also learned first aid information. For the first aid information we learned what to do for every type of sickness or accident.  We learned how to clean up wounds and take care of people who have been hurt.  We also learned how to take care of people who have certain kinds of conditions, like epilepsy, allergic reactions, heart attack, heat stroke, hypothermia.  I feel very informed on how to help people now when they're in need.  It's good that we took this class because all of us LEAPsters are definitely going to need it when we take kids on adventures.  The class wasn't actually that bad, it went by pretty fast before lunch time.  We got a 45 minute break for lunch, but after that a few people left and time went by really slow.  A few people that I'm good friends were the ones that left so the class got a little more boring.  I'm excited to start actually taking kids rock climbing instead of having to do all of this training.  There have been a couple of surfing trips, but they are all when I'm busy.  I hope we get to take kids out soon I'm really happy to work with kids.

LEAP Retreat

Last weekend I went on a retreat for LEAP.  For the retreat about 30 people went camping at Patrick's Point from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon.  We had to be at the school Saturday morning at 7 am in order to pack up all the cars and get ready to go.  When we got there everyone unpacked and set up their tents. Then we started playing a couple of games where we all got in a circle and said our name and our first ever CD.  When we did this we also had to say our favorite stretch then everyone would do that stretch together.  After we did this we pulled weeds in an open field for 4 hours.  This part of the retreat wasn't very fun but I did get to become really close with a couple of girls that I had never talked to before.  When we got back we ate lunch and introduced a few more games to play.  This is when the games started getting really fun.  We starting playing these games where everyone runs around in a circle and one person sitting out has to yell a category and a certain amount of people.  With the categories, for example, one thing you can say is spoon and you have to spoon another person on the ground and you have three seconds to do it.  If you don't spoon someone within those three seconds then you lose.  Another category is huggy bear.  For this one the announcer has to yell a certain number of people and then you have to find that many people and all hug in a group.  The games are really fun and we got to bond with each other a lot and get into each others' personal space.  Later that night we ate smores and sang campfire songs.  The people in this program are really fun and I have been enjoying getting to know them all. We also learned how to rock climb and belay people so when we take kids out we'll know what to do.  I can't wait to actually go out and take kids rock climbing it'll be a great experience.

Leap Meeting #2

Every Wednesday at 6 I have my LEAP meetings. This week was the second meeting we had and there were a lot of different people there. Instead of having our meeting outside we all crowded in this tiny room in the attic section above the YES house. A lot of my friends are in LEAP so I know I'm going to have a lot of fun with this program, even with the meetings. For this meeting our directors talked to us about the camping trip we're going on this weekend. We have to be at school at 7 am Saturday morning for pancakes and to get ready to go. For out trip we're all going to Patrick's Point and learning how to rock climb outside. I'm really excited for it because I've been rock climbing in the gym a lot but I have yet to go outside still. This trip is supposed to be a bonding experience between everyone that's going. We're also going to be learning about safety procedures and how to take children on these trips with us. The meeting Wednesday consisted of the directors talking about our trip and at the end of it everyone went outside to play a game. Everyone had to get into groups of 3, each group having a rope. Two people had to hold the rope on each end and held the rope up about 3 ft. We had to somehow figure out a way to get everyone over the rope without touching it. The game was really fun and our team got everyone over until the very last guy tried jumping and ran into the rope. It was ok though because it's just a game! I'm really stoked on this weekend and can't wait to see what happens.

LEAP Day 1

This week i've just started this volunteer program at school called LEAP.  It stands for leadership educational adventure program and you get to take kids rock climbing, kayaking, backpacking and a bunch of other fun outdoor adventures.  The first meeting was on Wednesday and the directors of the program went over the rules and regulations that we have to know.  They told us what we will be doing while in this program, which is taking kids basically to have fun. They also talked about how we need to take CPR and first aid classes in order to be in this program.  After they told us about what we will be doing, they took a huge plastic tarp on the ground and threw a bunch of spaghetti on it.  It was actually pretty funny because everyone was eating their dinner off the ground.  After we all ate we got in a circle and played the "chicken tag" game.  The directors had set out a bunch of random objects in a circle and each student had to stand at each object.  There's a rubber chicken on a box in the middle and one person stands at that and has to go up to another person and tag them with the chicken. Once they tag them  with the chicken they have to place it on the box in the middle again and try to steal the other person's spot.  The game was really fun and everyone playing bonded a lot.  I'm definitely looking forward to being a part of LEAP.