Wacky, Wild, Week of Fun (by Mrs. Melissa Cacciapuoti)

Last week was supposed to see the 5th and 6th-grade students make their return (finally!) to Outdoor Education.  However, due to unforeseen circumstances at the camp, our trip was canceled at the last minute.  This trip was something all of the 5th and 6th-graders were looking forward to after not being able to attend for the last two years, and the sudden cancellation left everyone feeling sad and disappointed.  So, as teachers, we were left with quite the challenge.  We had one school day to come up with a plan that would provide a week of fun for approximately 65 students to enjoy. 

Originally we were scheduled to leave on Tuesday, so that had to turn into the planning day.  Students got to spend a lot of time leaning on their friends to cheer up and overcome the disappointment of not being able to leave for camp.  This left the teachers to begin brainstorming different activities that would provide the students with a fun-filled week.  Thanks to the efforts of the chaperones, the office staff, and administration, we were able to pull together a solid plan of events for the week.  

In the end, students enjoyed a Wacky, Wild, Week of fun!  On Wednesday we walked to In-N-Out/Chick-fil-A for lunch, and then we walked down to Shaffer Park.  Thursday took us to the roller rink where students got to show off their roller skating skills, followed by lunch at Lamppost.  On Friday we visited the Long Beach Aquarium, and then had one last lunch together at Bubba Gump’s.  Along with all of the fun activities, each day included devotional time and team-building games led by Tim and Joy Kaufmann.  

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the staff members involved, what began as a disappointing week for the students turned into a week of fun activities and time spent with their friends.  The dedication the staff of St. Paul’s has to their students was on full display in the work and effort that was put forth to make the most out of an unfortunate situation.  Because everyone had the same goal in mind, the students (and the teachers!) were able to enjoy a Wacky, Wild, Week of Fun!