First it was a half hour with 65 kids from the 7th grade homeroom followed by 45 from the 8th grade homeroom. Both groups had already been introduced to the trip by Ms. Karplenia. I did a quick recap of the trip with a little bit of why Portage and why December then turned it loose to their questions, and there were many. The questioning ranged from “what kinds of animals are you going to see?” “are you going to fish along the way?” and “how are you going to charge your batteries?” with an underlying thread of questioning around the stability of my boat. These groups seemed especially interested in how I was going to communicate my location to the web site so I explained the SPOT device I am going to be carrying. I was impressed and very pleased with how interested the kids are in the trip and was happy to have several add their signatures and notes to the many that already adorn the deck of my kayak.
It was a fantastic day and downright inspiring to see the enthusiasm and sense of wonder the kids have for the trip. It was an honor to get a chance to talk with everyone. I can’t to see them all again next fall when I paddle into town at the completion of the trip.