Imagine this – I’m a genie and instead of three wishes, you can transform into the animal of your choice. Do you want to sleep all day as a sloth or finally be able to reach the top shelf as a giraffe? The world is your oyster! With so many factors in mind, I’m going to assign each group an animal for their trip! And in case you were wondering, if I could be ANY animal, I would want to be a dog (basic I know, but it fits). I can’t wait to share what our trips have been up to! Sadly, we have to say goodbye to several as well, but we have some fun ways to say that…
Take care, black bear. After a while, crocodile. See you soon, raccoon. That’s all for me, queen bee.
Skip to a Specific Trip: CI, NEMCA, NEMCB, CS, DEXA, DEXB, VLCA, VLCB, CRMC, CMC, AKMCA, AKMCB, ACC1, ACC2
Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)
With happy hearts and bittersweet hugs, CI’s trip has come to an end. They started the trip as caterpillars and today they became beautiful butterflies ready to take on anything in front of them! We are so proud and we wish you all safe travels! Goodbye butterfly!
New England Mountains & Coast A (NEMCA)
Ta ta for now, brown cow! Anna and Duncan said their farewells to their herd of cows this morning! I gave NEMCA the honor of being cows because I thought it was CRAZY that cows drink around 30 to 50 gallons of water per day (which is about how much water a bathtub holds)! I’m certain this was a hydrated group of cows, too. Ciao my cows!
New England Mountains & Coast B (NEMCB)
‘Til then, penguin! NEMCB penguins, we hope you enjoyed your time exploring New Hampshire and Maine! Did you know penguin feet are adapted to walk long distances? Also, a group of penguins in the water is called a raft but on land they’re called a waddle! Au revior, NEMCB waddle!
Caribbean Service (CS)
CS started their day with laundry! Yippee! Then they spent the afternoon helping out a local community by cleaning up the beach and nearby road. This crew worked ferociously, just as the leaf cutter ant does. Leaf cutter ants harvest leaf fragments, then use them in underground gardens to grow a nutritious fungus to eat. CS won’t be eating any fungus but we know they had fun today! Keep it up!
The group is already enjoying the new house in Vieques. Full group card games have emerged as a way of life on this trip!
Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXA)
You think I’m cute? Aww shucks, get OTTER here. While DEXA is on their backcountry expedition on part of the Appalachian trail, I can tell you some facts about the animal I picked out for them! Fun fact: otters like to stick together, so when they sleep they will wrap themselves in seaweed and float together in a group. Maybe DEXA will see an otter today? We sure hope so!
Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXB)
Rise and shine! After a sunrise hike on Cadillac Mountain, DEXB prepped for the backcountry! DEXB is officially now a group of Capuchin monkeys, who leave ripe palm nuts to dry in the sun so that they can more easily crack the tough shells. These monkeys are going to be prepped and ready for their trip! Good luck and we can’t wait to see pictures in a few days!
Vermont to Lake Champlain A (VLCA)
Frances, Mikey, and crew have earned the name the “Mighty Mice” because, like a mouse, we hope they eat lots of Vermont cheese. After a good night’s sleep they hopped on their bikes to explore new things! Did you know that a mouse can squeeze through openings as small as the size of a dime? Wow!
Vermont to Lake Champlain B (VLCB)
Can I get a round of applause for VLCB’s first day of biking? Today, Ellie and Miles led their crew through the cow-dotted pastures and rolling hills of Vermont. Tonight’s campsite is glorious– it has hot showers, fire pits, and lovely swimming! This group will now be called the champs, after the lake monster said to live in Lake Champlain – ooo ahh!
Costa Rica Mountains & Coast (CRMC)
After a nice morning hike with the most gorgeous scenery and refreshing streams, CRMC made it to the rainforest! I think the most fitting animal for Maeve, Finnegan, and their group would be a hummingbird, because they are always up to something. Hummingbirds are constantly on the move and love cooling down in Costa Rica’s waterfalls. Keep on fluttering, CRMC!
California Mountains & Coast (CMC)
Our courageous CMC’ers are venturing out in Yosemite today, which means they will be the Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep. They are the only federally endangered mammal in Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon. Bighorn sheep are built for moving short distances, rapidly, over steep, rocky terrain. I wonder if they will see one?!
Alaska Mountains & Coast A (AKMCA)
Oh hey! We finally have some unreal pictures from AKMCA’s backcountry adventure, and we are so excited to share! Today, they started off with community service and traveled to the coastal town of Seward. On the drive, the kids witnessed one of the largest bore tides in the world and hopefully also saw some seals and Beluga whales – wowsa! After some careful deliberation, I have decided on meese (I could have easily just said moose, but meese is more fun) as their animal. Did you know that moose calves grow so quickly that they can outrun a person by the time they are 5 days old?
Alaska Mountains & Coast B (AKMCB)
I know you are on the edge of your seat about what animal I’ll choose – this group is definitely a pack of wolves. One fun fact about wolves is that they are a keystone species, so they play a unique, crucial role in the way an ecosystem functions. They look out for each other and I know that this pack of wolves does the same. Meg and Zach’s wolf pack ventured into the backcountry today, so we won’t expect pictures until tomorrow or the next day!
America Coast to Coast 1 (ACC1)
If I were to compare ACC1 to any animal, it would definitely be the Peregrine Falcon, which is the fastest bird. In fact, it is the fastest animal on the planet. When in its hunting dive, it soars to a great height, then dives steeply at speeds of over 200mph. It reaches horizontal cruising speeds of up to 56mph. Mark, Grace, and their falcons continued their journey through Texas with about 70 miles today! You go, speedy falcons!
America Coast to Coast 2 (ACC2)
ACC2’s associated animal is the bald eagle. Distinctly recognized by its white head, brown body, and hooked yellow beak, the bald eagle has been the national emblem of the United States of America since 1782. Nicole, Christian, and their fearless students flew on their bikes for an EASY 95 miles today! Way to go team! They are taking over America as swiftly as eagles fly. Shower up and relax on your well-deserved rest day tomorrow!
