Teen ranch

 By: Dakari                                                 November, 14, 2013.

Mrs. Babb's class

                 

 Teen ranch was amazing! On November 4^th Cardinal Leger's grade 7 Students went on a class trip to teen ranch for a week. On Monday morning we all arrived at school with our sleepover bags. We got on the two school busses and Drove to Orangeville. When we got there I saw more trees then in my whole neighborhood, more animals then at a vet and more open space than 10 soccer  fields! I was ready to get my week started. 

      

    During teen ranch every child there would have something exiting to do.  The activities we did throughout the week include, horseback riding, skating, rock climbing and free time. One of my favorite activities to do was the horseback riding. To begin all the members of the green group would meet underneath the dining hall. Our helper, Agatha told us how to control the horse and how to hold the reins. After the explaining we walked to the barn to get geared up. We all lined up to get our helmet and then we got to pick our horse to ride. I picked a horse named Cujo. He is the most beautiful horse with his dark brown fur and black main. The green group headed off into the thick green, fall colored forest for a trail ride. Some days we walked 5 minutes to the skating rink with the yellow, green and red group. We would all skate together for an hour. The most challenging activity for me was the rock climbing. This was challenging for me because I kept slipping off of the rocks. After breakfast the green group headed off to the back of the barn. Everybody got all their belts on, and then two people would climb at time. The walls were tall, with big rocks poking out of them. The wall was hard to climb, but when you finally got to the top you felt like you were hanging off of a building and it felt good. My favorite time of day to relax and do whatever you want was free time. During free time you could go see the animals, play volley ball, play basketball, or you could go bounce on the trampoline. Free time was usually 30 minutes to an hour and was before and after breakfast, after lunch and after dinner. The days of teen ranch were fun, long, exiting, and challenging.

                    During the day wasn't the only time we did activities. We also did activities at night. At night during the week we had a movie night, a dance, a campfire, and had free time. The free time after dinner was the most fun of them all because it was full of energy and excitement. I liked having free time after dinner because after dinner it was dark outside and you're on a field in the middle of a forest why wouldn't that be exiting? One of the nights we walked through the forest to get the campfire. The yellow, red and green group all gathered around the warm fire, roasting marshmallows and cooking hot dogs.  The campfire pasted and just after we had a dance. We all met at the coach house living room were the dance was being held. Everyone there was dressed to impress and dance all night. During the dance we had a cabin dance off, just girls, and just boys dance too. One more relaxing night was movie night. We gathered in front of the living room TV and watched "The Hunger Games." the movie is violent, emotional, and funny. After each long day after our night activities we were all ready to hit our bed and fall asleep right away.

            The one thing that was truly amazing was the food. Every day we had something new for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the mornings for breakfast we would have a choice of oatmeal, yogurt or cereal. After the light starter we would get our main meal like eggs, pancakes, sausage or French toast. At lunch you would get the main meal then the dessert. At dinner you would get the main meal and then dessert. There was a set up and clean up groups. The groups were one girl and one boy cabin. The cabins had to get to the dining hall 15 minutes before and stay until the cleanup is done. The people that had to set up are called a helper. Two helpers had to sit at each table. The two helpers would clean up all the plates, cups, cutlery and other things like butter, sauces, spreads, and condiments. At  every meal everyone had to sit with someone different so you can get closer to the other people your with. I liked that we all had to help out at some point, and this made me more responsible.

           Since this was a sleepover camp we all had cabins with 5, 8 or 10 people in it. We all got to pick the people in our cabin. I had Dianne, Praviena, Prestine, Azia, Asia- Marie , Jahzel and I. we were all in  the Dunn cabin. As soon as we got to teen ranch we ran toward the coach house and into our room.  The rooms  are so nice they had 4 bunks just perfect for 8 people. The room had a bathroom with two sinks, two stalls, two showers and a separate room with one extra bunk. I enjoyed my cabin because I'm with all the people I can trust and is comfortable with. Being in a cabin with all these people is like a sleepover for a week! I enjoyed the cabins because it was very cool to be with all my close friends after 3:30 and for the night. I cannot complain about my cabin at all.

           The week at teen ranch was full of thrills, excitement, new activities and challenges. I would really enjoy going back to teen ranch because being outside all the time makes you feel like there is no technology and that you can only play outdoors. Well I was there I loved the feeling of always being with your friends and getting to know them better each day. Teen ranch gave me a chance to relax, try new things, and to love the outdoors.