Blog

I turned the motor off, sat back in the captain’s chair, and closed my eyes so that I could listen.  I heard individuals getting to know each other, I heard the excitement in their voices,  I heard words of encouragement and support, I heard big belly laughs, I heard big sighs of relaxation, and then I heard, “Hey Kerry, is it ok if we jump in, can we?”  For a moment, I thought for sure I’d open my eyes and see my boat full of eager young elementary school kids…..but no, it was the School District of Pickens County (SDPC) principals, admin, and staff!  There were 7 boats full of hard-working passionate adults having the time of their lives!   My heart was bursting with joy as I witnessed them jump off the boat into the cool water, saw teamwork as they supported each other up the rock ledges, and I loved how they challenged each other to go further into the ice-cold waterfall.   Some learned about sassafras, while others told stories about how their grandma made tea from it. Everyone enjoyed the smell of sweet birch; some held onto it for their after-lunch toothpick.  My boat, full of grown men, chose to break out the ponchos on the way back to the dock when the sky let loose in fear of getting cold, while the other boat, full of brave women, refused the ponchos for the satisfaction of being able to tease their co-workers.   I hope they have moments throughout the school year to reminisce about their summer “field trip.”   I hope our boats are full of children this school year and many years to come so they can have a memorable and educational Jocassee Wild Child field trip, too! ~Kerry McKenzie, JWOE Education Director, JLT Guide & Kayak Instructor