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."