From Kathi Nickel

http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2008/04/19/schools/edu86.txt
Here is link to an article that ran in the Missoulian (Montana) about Charlotte. This was in February, after TTS10 in Africa, as she was trying to figure TTS11. Lucky girl!

From Nancy McGuire

Matt and ALL other Moms and Dads.....of AMAZING Daughters that are coming HOME in less than 48 horas!!!:

DITTO on EVERYTHING.....AND YES...thank you ALL for sharing your daughters with Phoebe....I KNOW that this connection will be life long....

I like to say that every group has a "Divine Appointment".....and the YOUNG WOMEN that showed up for TTS11 were the exactly perfect equation for the magic that has happened for each and every one of them......

WoW!!! I am copying below an email that I sent to Gennifre right after she sent out the email re: the transition home....

Matt....I am WITH YOU!!! I feel/hear your passion....and I feel the commitment to TTS....I do.....AND I ALSO want EACH of us to acknowledge ourselves...as parents....that SEE our children....and FIND "containers" that support who they are...WE have had the VISION for our Daughters as Citizens of the Globe....and we supported them in getting to the Unbelievable Journey of the last 3.5 months....AND as our daughters - they responded with all the seeds that we have planted over the last 15 - 18 years....and they have GROWN.....in ways that will continue to pave their roads on their PATHS of LIFE....

So....a HUGE acknowledgement to US parents as well......

The TEACHERS...THE TEACHERS.....I tear up when I think of 3 kids....multiplied by all the years of school...and the numbers of teachers....and how I have FANTASIZED....ABOUT a CLAIRE....and a Heather and a Dawn and a Cara....AND our girls had the experience of LEADERSHIP and teaching and Women's Strength and Power.....and and and......ALL 4 AMAZING MENTORS....as I say below to Gennifre....There needs to be an expression in the English Language that means THANK YOU to the MILLIONTH power.....and you only use this expression....a handful of times in a LIFETIME....and NOW would be one of those times....to use that very special THANK YOU....that is bigger and more all encompassing....I say to the TEACHERS....that IF and WHEN you Choose to become a Parent....when a Claire or a Heather or a Dawn or a Cara comes into your child's life....YOU WILL KNOW....and think back to this time....and KNOW that each one of us are "MOVED BEYOND WORDS WITH GRATITUDE FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE AND BEEN TO OUR DAUGHTERS...".....

Thank you Matt....for taking the time to write so much....I LOVE all the description....and your passion.....

Now...who has the "hook up" with Oprah??????????

Love to All......Nancy - Phoebe's Mom

Here is what I sent Gennifre....:

Gennifre...I am SOOOO glad that you sent out that email this morning....I have been trying to find the balance inside me....the excitement of Phoebe's return...KNOWING the bittersweet emotion of the ending of this experience....knowing that the Phoebe I dropped off in Miami is changed in measurable ways....and wanting to give her the space...the safety of feeling and being - in her feelings... AND I - knowing what Phoebe is like after 4 weeks of camp upon returning home....can only imagine the Phoebe after 15 weeks of "this".....huge...experience...camp on steroids....

So...I am grateful for your words....as I have been really teary for the last few days...heightened anticipation...fear...wanting it ALL to be smooth and easy and not painful...and knowing that this "piece" is ALL part of it too....

There is a part of me that aches for her....and a part of me that wants to hold the space for her to just be in "it"...whatever the "it" is.....

I have never felt like this before...the emotion on the last day of kindergarten....for me...sobbing....it was over...so quick...where did time go....and 6 year old Phoebe - blissful - present - wanting to just go have fun now that school was out.... And NOW...SHE has had the experience...the connection...the memory....AND how to move forward...in a place...that seems so "unimportant" in comparison...

And me...and our family....honoring her...and giving her the space.... This has been the topic at the McGuire's for the last week....

Keeping the vision ALIVE...the VISION of her life...her role as a global citizen...her passions that have become uncovered and lit and all fired up....

This is not the end...it is a beginning....

Wow....what a way to end her high school years...what a send off...what a graduation!!!

I am rambling....

Thanks for listening...

Gennifre...there are truly NO words that aptly describe what you and your Vision and your program has created for Phoebe....and the level of gratitude that is so heartfelt....and the depth of gratitude that is one of those life's moments...where there really are no words... NO WORDS....but Thank you with the most gracious sincerity loving essence of supporting and believing and creating and empowering the FEMALE leaders of our GLOBAL Consciousness World that brings peace and love and aid....at a time when our world is SO in need....at all levels....and you are "training" our YOUNG WOMEN to follow their path and light up the world and heal the planet and follow their soul's purpose and uncover their gifts and LOVE themselves enough to honor who they are and commit to themselves....and and and.....

Thank YOU!!!

Love, Nancy McGuire

From Matt Stopher

Hello all....I've been driving from Redding California today to Sonora (Gold Country). Many hours now, I have watched e-mail after e-mail flow through my phone, the tiny text offering sound bites to me as I resisted the urge to multi-task at 70 mph. Although I've been very matter-of-fact about Grace's return until today, I find myself suddenly with strong and mixed emotions about all I am hearing and reading here, so I have to add my 20 cents. I reflected on my own youthful experiences returning from a week at church camp or some other retreat with the attitude that I could make a difference. I worry a bit that the feeling might fade as it had for me. And I am encouraged for the following reasons that Grace's (and your own daughters') experience will be more long-lasting.First of all, some reflections on the perspective of having had the amazing privilege of being there - if only for a relative moment - to witness what goes on in this school. My paradigm regarding "education" has been completely rocked. Some learn by hearing, some learn by seeing, and some learn by doing. Traditional educational wisdom would have us believe that each of us is one of these three types of learners, or a blend with a predominance towards one or the other. I agree. But I would add layers that I would have never before believed 15-17 year-olds to benefit from. Add: sleep-deprivation, altitude, physical stress, completely new relationships, cultural and family separation, exposure to water-borne everything, bug bites, the information age, no cell phones, a completely flexible schedule, responsibility for safety in unfamiliar places, teamwork, squeezing in the opportunity to dry out tents when time is limited, eating all manner of different stuff (and liking much of it)[rodent anyone?], constant transition, every day showers...NOT!, deadlines on top of deadlines, "where's my passport?!", budgeting for important stuff like ice cream, budgeting - period!, distractions of all types, illness, medical emergencies, and if I had all night, I could add a hundred more...But you get the idea. Point is, I learned that in our American bubble, we strive to shield our daughters (and sons) from many or too much of these things, so they can focus on their "education." When, in fact, I am confident that some of the most memorable educational moments our daughters will have were magnified because of some of these factors. If we could only get school districts to appreciate or even understand this, they would give these young ladies a full years' credit for what they accomplish in 15 weeks.
Secondly, as I hear excerpts from various parents, and I see the names of the girls I had the honor to meet on this trip, I have to echo what has been said; They are all (every one of them), incredible. So I need to thank you for sharing your daughters with my daughter because they have enriched her life in the most meaningful way, they have touched her heart, and broadened her mind. They all exude an unstoppable energy and enthusiasm, and a sense that there ARE NO BOUNDARIES to what they can do in their lives. And in that way, they have already challenged each other to greatness in a way that sororities, youth groups, camps, schools, organized sports and the like just cannot. I would also thank you all for sending your daughters on this trip so I could be personally encouraged that there is greatness, true wonderful, exuberant, GREATNESS to be expected from our kids' generation. If these women are a sampling of the think-tank coming from their generation, we have hope.
Third. As the ladies learned when I was there, I am sappy guy. But regardless of my exposure to some pretty amazing instructors in my own education, none can touch the things I witnessed from these teachers. And on reflection, I am choked with emotion to tell you that they are a blessing in the lives of every girl who became a woman there. They deserve our accolades, our thanks and praise. As teachers, I am confident they consider it a privilege to teach TTS. As a parent, and as a sometimes student on this trip (thank you Lander), I hereby express my deepest admiration and gratitude.
Fourth. I cannot adequately emphasize how much TTS needs us. Nobody is getting rich in the operation of this school. THEY SHOULD, but they are not. Clearly, there are limitations on the number of girls who can participate each year. It is a mathematical fact. But I believe that many girls who would not have the opportunity to go due to the obvious economics should get the opportunity. So the first way we can help make sure that others get opportunity is to commit financially. Do so while the sense you have of the value of this organization and it's mission is fresh and strong in your mind and heart. Don't delay. When you turn the dials on your charitable giving each year, don't turn it past the hash that says "TTS." When your daughter makes a remark that you consider truly remarkable, consider writing a check to commemorate it, knowing that her TTS experience probably fed her emotionally, philosophically, educationally, and confidently in ways we simply could not have imagined. Consider TTS in your estate planning.

Lastly, talk about The Traveling School - To your neighbors, clients, fellow parishioners, teachers, administrators, school counselors, television stations and newspapers, friends, Oprah, and whoever else will listen. In a day and age where so much bad news is blasting us in the face every day, people LOVE TO HEAR IT! It is a GREAT story.

Best regards,

Matt Stopher

"Be mindful of the look on your face,
When you gaze at the woman,
Who used to be your little girl."

From The Wraiths

Dear all,I can never thank TTS enough for this incredible experience. I have nodoubt that it will be life changing. Bill and I were lucky enough to goon the parents' trip to Peru with two of our three boys (Caitlin is ouronly daughter). Two days before we took off we had lunch in Summit, NJwith Jim Hammer and the head of Caitlin's Upper School. At lunch Jimsaid something along these lines, "The destinations are great, but, forme, The Traveling School is all about the people. Your daughter ishanging out with some pretty incredible young women."After seeing TTS up close and personal, I can tell you that Claire,Heather, Dawn, Cara, Jennifer and Lander are phenomenal role models.And your daughters are, as Claire put it so well below, absolutely"hard-core." What an amazing group TTS attracts. Thank you Gennifre!These last 15 weeks have flown by. Despite that, we can't wait to seeCaitlin again. I'll close as Claire began... "Education is not filling a bucket, butlighting a fire" (W.B. Yeats). Amen to that. Thank you all for beingthe kindling.With deep gratitude,Ellen & the Wraith gang

From Elizabeth Currie

Alonso and I are so, so impressed by the whole experience that we don't know where to begin, but we loved it, and we very much admire and respect the whole arrangement and how it all works, even under exceptional circumstances. Laura loved it and we too would be very happy to tell everyone we know of how great this is, starting with the amazing personal and professinal qualities of the teachers!
Elizabeth Currie
(Laura's mom)

From Donna

When people ask me if I'm worried about Montana being so far away for so long, I tell them I worry more about her at home! I'm especially impressed with how thoroughly they
address the transition home.

Very lucky girls...
Donna de K.

From Laura Duffy

I did see the Quick Time Movie and it MADE my mother's day! I keep telling my friends that I'm more sold on the Traveling School now than I was when Alex left. They've really made me feel comfortable that if anything was wrong, I would know instantly. -Laura Duffy (Alex's mom)

Back from Cusco, Lake Titicaca

We've returned to New Jersey after a fantastic trip exploring Cusco, hiking the Inca Trail with the girls, and visiting Lake Titicaca. Many thanks to the TTS teachers, Jennifer, Lander, Whitney, Dawn, and TTS in general for making this trip possible for our family. Especially, many thanks to all who helped our kids along the trail, as Ellen and I were up to our ears just making it to camp ourselves each evening. The boys were grateful for all the attention and assistance along the way. William frequently mentions Lander with great fondness for her help on the third day. I was grateful for all the advice on making the camping and hiking more comfortable, especially Jennifer and Lander's help figuring out how to get dry after the rain and hail on the way over Dead Woman Pass.

We enjoyed seeing the girls in action. I was impressed with their strength and determination. Seeing them and their teachers on this trip reinforced my already strong feeling that this is a uniquely challenging and ultimately extremely valuable experience for the students.

We enjoyed the wonderful company on our trip. I hope the bike trip was a big success. Ford, Jim, Jim, Buzz, Matt, Walt, Lander - best wishes. Barb, Patty, Dawn, Jennifer, we very much enjoyed being with all of you during the Lake Titicaca phase of the trip. Dawn, Jennifer, thanks for instigating the "jump in the lake". My brother was so happy to hear we had taken a dip in Lake Titicaca, as it is our tradition to do the same in Montana in all the high mountain lakes we manage to find on our hikes there.

I posted a few photos, mostly taken by Will (the wrw folder), who was fascinated with the the colors, the animals, and the scenery. There were a few more "people shots" among the photos I took (wwiv folder). Thanks in advance for any photos posted by other participants.

Bill Wraith

About the girls - from Jennifer

Hey Parents!
We´re back from Machu Picchu. What a great trip. The girls were amazing hikers and campers. They trudged up and down the steep Inca trails happily, gobbling up news of the US, listening to the history of our surroundings, and interacting endearingly with the visiting parents and friends on the fundraising trip. I am so impressed with all of your daughters. They have formed an incredible bond with one another and are so fun to be around.

One notable memory I have was on the last night of the hike, because we were such a big group (32 in all), we had to eat at the restaurant/bar, which was amazingly at our last campsite. It felt a little awkward to me, having all the group in this place with others celebrating their accomplishments on such a tough trail. The girls, however, were completely in their own world. We had a big line of tables on the lower level of the establishment. They started playing one of their group games together and were laughing hysterically at each other until the rest of the people present couldn´t help but enjoy their fun. The porters were lined up outside at the windows as the finalists in this game had to move from merely talking silly (trying to make each other laugh) to a quite serious dance off. In the end, it came to a vote, and the entire restaurant joined in! (I´m not kidding!)

Anyway, we have one more day with your girls. Some of my group has left for a few days of biking in Peru. Still others are here with me in Cusco and will get to join in on Claire´s history class this afternoon as they tour Cusco. Then, we´re off to Puno and Lake Titicaca. I will meet up again with the girls on April 28th and stay with them around Lake Titicaca until May 2nd. We feel so honored to be allowed a glimpse of this wonderful semester your daughters are experiencing. They are incredibly engaged and excited about what they are doing. Their teachers are inspiring to watch; their careful and creative planning, fun-loving spirit, and unwavering leadership has brought these girls together so magically. I wish you could all be here to witness the program and hope this message brings a tiny inkling of what the semester is like for your daughters.
Cheers,
Jennifer Royall

Hola from Cusco

Hi, all! A quick note to let you know that we are back from our hike to Machu Picchu! The girls are absolutely AMAZING!!! It was very inspiring watching them hike with their 45+ pound packs while I was huffing and puffing with my (maybe) 15 pound pack. They are an incredible group of girls, each and every one of them!

I´ll let the girls update you on the hike. It was grueling at times, but everyone made it without incident. To be sure, sore legs, very sore knees even for those without knee problems, a few sunburns, and lots of very wet clothes on day 2, but we all had a great time.

There are quite a few group photos and I´ve been trying to take individual photos of the girls to send home. I may not be able to send until I get home next week.

Watching the group in action has been incredible! I´ve been able to sit through a few classes to see the teachers in action as well. Rest assured, any anxiety, homesickness for your daughter, nervousness, etc about sending your daughter away for a semester was well worth it! They are doing fantastic, and really, are a truly amazing group!

Love to all!
Barb

Phone call from Punta Union

I just wanted to let everyone know that I just received the most incredible voice mail from the whole group. They are doing a 6-day backpacking trip right now in a remote area in the Andes. The most strenuous day is when they cross the high pass of Punta Union at 12,500 feet. The girls called and everyone in the group yelled into the phone - "Happy Anniversary, Gennifre & Taylor!" It brought tears to my eyes to think of them all happily yelling in the thin mountain air on top of the high pass.

For those who don't know, Taylor and I got engaged at the top of the pass on a Traveling School semester in 2003. It seems that "Punta Union" was aptly named.

Thanks for the great voice mail, ladies!

-Gennifre

Sunny Galapagos Islands ...

FYI. I exchanged brief email with Heather this weekend re specific issue. Heather said that the girls and two teachers were at the airport, ready to head to the Galapagos Islands on Sunday morning. I just checked the forecast and tomorrow is supposed to be sunny, with a high of 87 degrees, and a "low" of 77 degrees. Warm weather, warm water, nature everywhere, evoluation in action. What a bunch of lucky girls! :-)

pics

Has anyone gotten pictures from their daughter? I'd love to see some more. (Montana- GET A CAMERA! Love you.)

Thanks-
Donna de Kuyper
donnadek@comcast.net

Just to my mom sorry m,y e-mails broken or something funky

Hey mom i need information for natural science about something that is grown locally (crops honey maple syrup) and about an organization who does it. Then i need a recipe that includes it. It would be amazing if you could help me out please please please..... i dont have much recources to do it

I miss you soo much im going to call you and dad ASAP... did you see i got to watch 2 aND a half men :)

Love you

Hello from Cuenca

Hello, parents and friends!
I just wanted to give you a hello on the blog from a girl (though you're all wonderful, too). We're in Cuenca, as I'm sure you know. I'm using a computer at the school we're studying at. I'm not sure how updated you all are, but if you're ever looking for a girl perspective on the trip I have a blog (and a few other girls do as well), which you can reach through my blogspot page on here (click the link that is my name). Claire's updates are glorious and more than enough I have no doubt, but I also know some parents had expressed interest. We update fairly frequently, too. Anyway, we're having a ball (and missing you)!
Much love,
Caitlin
P.S. It was Woman Day here two days ago, so happy Woman Day!

Regarding the picture...

Hello from Quito. We're just back from our groupstays in Agualongo, which were absolutely SPLENDID. The girls are going to put together an update on the entire experience, so I won't ruin their stories with any of my own. But know this: it was incredible. In. Cred. I. Ble.

And now, Barb, here are the girls (see descriptions from previous email...):

Back row: Alex, Phoebe, Cara, Heather, Melissa, Adia, Jemma, Jenna, Lizzie, Grace, Dawn.
Front row: Sarah, Caitlin, Laura, Charlotte, Montana, Amber, Claire.

And that's us!

Hope you are all doing wonderfully. We certainly are.

Your South American correspondent,
Claire

Who's who ...

OK, I'm dying to put names to the beautiful faces above. Last semester, I found it helpful to be able to match the names of the teachers and girls I was hearing so much about with the faces in their group picture. So, I thought it would be fun for each us to add a comment identifying our daughter in the Valentine's day photo.

For those who didn't attend the orientation, the teachers are:

• Cara, back row, third from left (ok, I don't know Cara, but know the other 3, so I'm assuming this is Cara ... :-)
• Heather, back row, fourth from left (next to Cara)
• Dawn, back row, far right
• Claire, front row, far right

Almost 1 month

I can't believe it's been almost a month since the girls left on this adventure! I missed Montana's last call, but she did get to speak with her father, sister and (sad) boyfriend, who happened to be visiting at the time. Sounds like they really buckled down for some classes once back from the Amazon. It's great to hear Montana excited about school again. She'd especially lost interest in math a couple of years ago, when it seemed to become irrelevent to every day life- but now Math Applications is one of her favorite subjects! Thank you, Traveling School. She is really enjoying her "drama-free" new friends. And I don't think she's ever had more than one or two teachers under the age of 40 before. The young, enthusiastic staff certainly helps!

I really look forward to hearing about the homestays, and will be very envious of their trip to the Galapagos. How many people EVER get to go there?!!

So far, Montana's only had some allergy sniffles, but I hope all the girls are feeling perfectly well, by now.

Best to all-
Donna de Kuyper

Claire's Miami slideshow, Part 1

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Miami slideshow part 2

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Update from Otavalo via Jenna

The girls were in Quito yesterday and Otavalo today, heading out tomorrow to their groupstays and community service project. Jenna has been sick and has missed several days of classes, so unfortunately, I don't have recent info on classes. But, she is really enjoying the group -- girls and teachers. She said they are learning a stomp dance (but not like the show "Stomp") which apparently they're getting pretty good at. Oh, in case you're wondering if your letter/package has arrived, Jenna said she was the only one who didn't get any mail or package yet -- oops! So at least one letter/package was received by your daughter. Oh, and between the slip in the shower leading to a hospital visit, the slew of GI ickiness, Jenna's continued illness, and a recent event (no worries -- no injuries!), I suggested to Jenna that they find a witch doctor to "cure" them of their falls, ills, etc. She said they had already been to a shaman. Sounds like they need a new shaman! I hope all is well with all parents and families!

Feb. 21, 2008

Just heard from Alex. She says it's a good group and they all hang out together. She is having fun but is tired of the rain. She has spent almost nothing in the last 21 days- bet that won't last when she gets home. She says that it's hard to use the phone card but that her Visa works fine with the phone system.
Alex was one of the kids that got the GI bug, and she says they are all over it except one kid is still a little puny. She thought it was the tuna they ate, but who knows. To be funny I started to write Claire and tell her lime ants never agreed with Alex...
Alex says that Phoebe is the funny one in the group and adds a lot to the experience. I mailed stuff to the Explores Club, but it sounds like the don't check for mail but every couple of days. Of course, now I have a few new things to send after the phone call.
Hope everyone is doing well without their daughters. Alex's sister complains " there is no drama here anymore". I get the feeling that Don and I are pretty boring by ourselves. -Laura

They're in Tena, Ecuador!

HI everyone,

Sarah just phoned us! Bill and I both happened to be
home and got to talk with her for maybe 10 minutes or MORE!
She sounded WONDERFUL!! Is really enjoying herself and
is liking all the girls. Right now they just arrived in Tena which
is on the outskirts of the rain forest after a 7 hour bus trip.
It is hot and humid. (She's glad this isn't where they spent
their 2 weeks in Ecuador!)

She said the hacienda was cool that they'd been staying at
in Cayembe. They mostly stayed at the hacienda for the past
10 days with a couple of trips into the town. One night they
got to talk with the mayor who lives at the hacienda. His daughter
has been teaching them some yoga and her husband is the scientist
who spoke to them about astronomy and the ruins/and their connections
with the stars, etc......They actually went to where the equator is and
they call it the middle of the world.......(one hour walk from the hacienda)
She got to stand on both sides of the equator!

Her Spanish is going very well, she said. She said that the altitude
in Cayambe was really hard at first but they all are adjusting.

They just took an overnite hike that was "miserable, but fun at the
same time! Cold mostly-had to cross a river, then climb up a steep hill,
then when they got to the forest it was all mud. Feet got stuck. Many
were soaking wet, though my rainpants and coat kept me drier."

Sarah said a couple of girls have been homesick but she hasn't at all!
(That doesn't surprise Bill or I).

So that's the latest. Sarah sounded wonderful, confident, and happy.
What more could we ask for?

Patrice(Sarah's mom)

Hi- My daughter, Montana, is in S. America with the TS group and only 15! Any other sophomore parents out there? Parents whose daughters have done a TTS semester before have any words of wisdom?

Thanks-
Donna de K.

Update on Ecuador news

Hi everyone,

I wanted to send this link to everyone regarding a volcano in Ecuador. Just to reassure everyone, the girls are about 4 hours north of this area, and it shouldn't impact the group. The only concern could be that their bus travel to their homestays next month could take longer if they need to travel around the area. Please let us know if you have any questions!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080206/sc_nm/ecuador_volcano_dc_2
All the best,
Gennifre

From Phoebe's mom

Dear Family and Friends,
I write this from the Wyndham Airport Hotel in Miami....Phoebe and I arrived late yesterday afternoon into Miami to meet her Traveling School group and teachers....FINALLY!!! The last weeks have been filled with so much preparation...it felt like we would never be ready for this day....SO with an almost 50 lb. pack PLUS her daypack (@ 15 lbs) Phoebe was off!!
The group of her fellow 13 travelling ladies and outstanding 3 teachers (the 4th is advanced in Quito) were AMAZING...it has been so EASY to hand her off to her new "family" as she begins this journey into her LIFE ahead!!
Each girl (ages 15 - 18) seemed so self assured...so REAL....so READY....and nervous and scared and awkward and EXCITED!! The teachers did a presentation that was....unbelievably high intentioned, empowered, intelligent, young women leading these "lady students" off to SCHOOL...where the "world" is their classroom....I can't get over how impressive her teachers are...and when I watch them interact with this new group of travelers...I burst inside...knowing that Phoebe is in the hands of MENTORS....
It actually creates the warm and knowing feeling that it truly was "Time for her to Fly"....she IS so ready for this level of experience...one that I or Shannon or the people that she has looked to for 17+ years just aren't capable of providing...
So, with tears shed as I watched my daughter get on the bus...with that BEAUTIFUL Phoebe smile....for 3 1/2 months (she comes home on my birthday - May 15th!!)...I am so secure in her abilities to walk into her life with all the tools that I have hoped and dreamed and helped to manifest in her!!
The group has arrived in Quito, Ecuador...they will be traveling to a 1580 (as in the year built!!) Hacienda that straddles the Equator!! The girls were looking forward to seeing if water does really swirl in opposite directions in the TOILET depending on which side of the Hacienda you are on!! Apparently the Mayor of this town owns the hacienda...so the girls will be invited to participate in the town's activities and community service - when not in school....
We will not have contact for two weeks...as this gives the GROUP time to bond....Phoebe has set up a blog...I will put out that info when I get it...AND PLEASE PLEASE email....The Traveling School has encouraged us to email our students....Don't expect much in terms of a reply...but it is always great to hear/read familiar and loving words from the people she cares about most....
Phoebe left feeling physically and mentally strong in a way that will really give her the perserverance to embrace the motto of "when it's hard...work harder!
My love and gratitude to EVERYONE!
I will be back in Evergreen on Sunday night...and off on my own journey to India on Thursday of next week!! I will be in touch....
Love, Love, Love,
Nancy

Anyone hear from Ecuador?

Just curious if anyone has heard from their daughter since they arrived in Ecuador? No call from Jenna yet, so any news would be welcomed!

Even though I've been through this before, I forgot how nerve-wracking those first few weeks are ... wondering if everyone is safe and healthy, what the other girls and teachers are like, will everyone get along, how classes are going, does my daughter have everything she needs, is she remembering to take her anti-malarial medicine, etc, etc, etc.

I do know the girls are in great hands. Jenna loves Claire, Heather and Dawn (Cara is new this semester) as leaders, teachers and individuals. In her first email home last semester, Jenna said the teachers are "awesome and totally inspiring" and the news throughout the semester continued on that theme. I'm confident they will take wonderful care of our daughters and ensure all have an incredible experience. In the meantime, hang in there! Oh, and if you have any news, please share. :-)

PHEW!!!!

Hi everyone,

I sure am relieved that we got Sarah to the airport and checked
through her huge backpack, and off through security without any
problems. Hopefully she has all she needs and if not, she'll survive,
I'm sure! We were so happy to meet up with Jenna and her mom,
Barb and hoped they'd find Grace(who flew in to SeaTac from Eugene,
Oregon) waiting at Gate D7! After 17 years of raising Sarah, this seems
like the beginning of her really stretching her wings! What an adventure they
all will have. I am very happy for them all.
And today I crashed! All the details in preparing for this trip have been
something else!
Hope everyone else is doing OK now that the girls have started on their journey.

Patrice(Sarah's mom)

Communication

Hey parents!

Your daughters are gathering here in Miami.  The excitement is growing to a fever pitch!  It's fun seeing them and watching them start to get to know each other.  Your daughters will call you when they arrive in Miami and then again when they arrive in Quito so you can rest easily.  Remember the flight to Ecuador gets in after 9 PM EST, so it might be a little late by the time they get to a phone (for East Coasters).  

I wanted you to check out the blog so that you could see how easy it is.  It's a place for you to communicate amongst yourselves, to ask questions, to reassure one another, and to share information.  Once you post a message, other parents can view it and choose to respond to it or not.  See what you think. 

Communication with Home

During the first two weeks, we request that your daughters only call you once – to let you know they are overseas and share their first impressions with you.  The first two weeks are a time of bonding with the group, and it is important that they share this time with the people overseas – not only talking with your family and friends back home.  After the first two weeks, students can call family and friends during their free time.  Because we are staying in other people’s homes and hostels, we ask the phone contact be predominantly student initiated.  

 Overseas mail:  We have purchased memberships for all of the students with the South American Explorer’s Club. We will be receiving mail at the South American Explorers Clubhouses in Quito, Lima, and Cusco. Because of the nature of the South American postal services and Clubhouse policies, it is best not to send large packages, as they are sometimes quite expensive and challenging to retrieve from the post office. Also, plan ahead and mail small packages and letters early to ensure they are waiting for your daughter when we arrive in a city.  

Please send all letters to:

 Feb. 2 - Mar. 1

The Traveling School

(Your daughter’s name)

South American Explorers Club

Apartado 17-21-431

Elroy Alfaro

Quito, Ecuador

 

March 1 - Apr. 15

The Traveling School

(Your daughter’s name)

South American Explorers Club

Apartado 500

Cusco, Peru

 

Sorry, we will not be able to receive mail in Bolivia. You will also be able to send the girls letters with their host families. 

Call or email me if you have questions!

Jennifer

Best buy on calling card?

Hi all! We were at Costco today and they sell Verizon cards at the Seattle area stores. Unfortunately, there was no information about rates on the package and when I called Verizon tonight, they couldn't help me unless I had the access number and PIN. In looking at the MCI info online, it looks like calls from Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia are $0.60, $0.50, $0.60, respectively. Anyone found a better deal or know what the Costco rates are? Thanks!

Ideas for staying in touch

I thought I'd pass along a few things we did (or wish we had done) before leaving last semester that made communications easier (long, but hopefully helpful):

• Discuss whether the first call on any given day should be to mom's cell, dad's cell, home, work, etc. Sometimes the girls only have a few minutes to call. Hitting voicemail is frustrating for all and takes precious minutes from any subsequent call, if one is even possible.
• Encourage messages if she hits voicemail or when she has the opportunity to call but knows you're not available. "Hi, I'm having a BLAST!!!" is much better than waiting another week to hear her voice. Plus, you can play it back over and over and over. :-)
• If your daughter will call more than one place (mom's house, dad's house, older siblings, etc), let her know those of you back home will communicate with each other (she repeats less; you get more updates). And, she won't be as likely to pass up making any phone call because she doesn't have time to make two phone calls.
• Discuss time differences and best times to call (but know they may not have options and call when the opportunity presents itself).
• Write down your daughter's calling card number and pin so you can check available minutes and reload before it runs out.
• Have your daughter create a blog so she can post news and stories for people back home. Although Jenna was only able to post twice, I added a few of her emails and photos the teachers sent.
• Create a separate blog for friends and family to post news from home, photos, etc (we made this by invitation only). This provides a single place for her to read updates when Internet time is limited. Jenna said Facebook and MySpace don't work as well.
• Make sure your daughter adds all email addresses to her contact list, and if possible, creates email groups (family, friends, teachers, etc) to save precious email time.
• Share what you hear from your daughter on this blog -- other parents will love you! Not all girls call or email at the same time or share the same stories.
• Know that no news is good news -- if she's homesick, sick or hurt, you'll hear (hopefully none of us will hear any of these things).

This all said, know that you will ache for the next phone call and email, and no matter how often you hear from your daughter, those calls and emails won't be as frequent, as long, or have as many details as you'd like. But, when you do hear from her, oh, it is wonderful!

Hello Parents & Travelers

Lizzie is so excited, especially since it's been snowing everyday in the Colorado Mountains, warmth and sunshine will be as welcome as the adventures to come. Wishing you all a wonderful trip. Lisa Stoll

Yea!

Thanks to Gen for getting the blog going. This is definitely new to me but cool. Parents with daughters who have done this before, be sure to pipe up and share what you know. Parents who are new to TTS, feel free to ask your questions. May the conversations begin!

Hola to all of us staying home!

Hi everyone who has girls heading off to South America next week.
I think that they will have an amazing time. Sarah has almost
everything on the required list, though there's still a few items she
needs. Hope it all fits in the backpack we bought. I'm thinking of
mailing the first "Care"package the end of this week. What are others doing?

Patrice(Sarah's mom)

Welcome to the TTS11 Student and Parent Blog!

Hi everyone-

Only 10 more days until the backpacks are packed and everyone comes faces to face in Miami - what an adventure! Please use this space to ask questions, post comments, and interact with other families who are preparing for the same adventure! Check out TTS 9 and TTS10 blogs on this same site for previous postings from previous semesters.

We're going to be speaking Spanish and eating guinea pig before you know it! :)

All the best,
Gennifre Hartman
Executive Director
The Traveling School

Hey

Wow this is awesome! I just wanted to sey Hey to everyone! And I am soo excited!!! But definitely nervous...less than two weeks!!! woohoo.