Day 2 |
Day 3 |
We learned about farm animals and caring for them by visiting Festival Farm. We also made a stop at Buttonwood Farm for farm-made ice cream.
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We explored creatures that live in or near the water. We were able to touch and feed some of these creatures at Biomes Marine Biology Center.
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Day 5On our final day together, we recalled how grateful we are for the great food, the great fun, and the great friends we experienced during the week.
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The Discoveries of A Grand Adventure
One of my favorite things about adventures is the discoveries that we make along the way. That proved to be especially true for this summer’s A Grand Adventure.
Over the course of five days and four nights, I had the privilege of accompanying a group of grandparents and grandchildren from ABCORI congregations on an adventure designed to explore creatures great and small.
We discovered fascinating things about the creatures we encountered—from goats of all sizes and other farm animals to a 24-year-old tortoise and other sea creatures to birds we heard but didn’t see and an owl we got to see up close.
But our adventure allowed us to discover other things, as well.
Wonder
At some point as we grow up, we seem to lose our natural ability to experience wonder. During Elder Care Ministries’ A Grand Adventure, participants—from the youngest to the oldest—discovered (or rediscovered) that sense of wonder. Whether it was petting a baby goat or feeding a horseshoe crab or listening to the sounds of nature or learning amazing facts about owls, the response was one of wonder—wonder that could be seen on faces and heard in voices during private and group conversations.
Kindness
Another discovery during our time together was kindness. It was heartwarming to watch older grandchildren, as well as grandparents, help younger grandchildren feed animals, make crafts, and play games. We also experienced acts of kindness from the staff members we met during our offsite adventures, as well as from the food service and waterfront staff at Canonicus.
Connections
For several families, this was their second summer to participate in A Grand Adventure, so it was fun to watch them reconnect. New connections, which grew throughout the week, also formed between the grandchildren and among the grandparents.
Independence
As we shared various adventures, it was a joy to watch the grandchildren discover a new sense of independence. The Green and Rathbun lodges that housed the families became like a neighborhood that was safe for the children to explore. Grandchildren, as well as their grandparents, took the risk of trying new things during our time together.
Laughter
It didn’t take long for us to discover the sound of laughter during our adventure. Laughter seemed natural among the grandchildren as they played together, among the grandparents as they sat and talked, and among the entire group as members shared funny moments from the day. The grandparents and I agreed that we should have kept a journal of the humous things uttered during the week. (My favorite may have been when one of the grandchildren recalled the “rampaging turtle” at the aquarium. To be fair, Darwin the tortoise did walk at quite a clip while making his rounds.)
Sacred Moments
The discovery of sacred moments happened throughout the week. It was so special to hear group members reflect on how wonderfully God created the various animals we encountered. The recognition of how special God has created each of us also became a sacred experience.
I am grateful for the grandparents and grandchildren who made this summer’s A Grand Adventure so amazing. I already am looking forward to next summer’s adventure.
Kathryn Palen
One of my favorite things about adventures is the discoveries that we make along the way. That proved to be especially true for this summer’s A Grand Adventure.
Over the course of five days and four nights, I had the privilege of accompanying a group of grandparents and grandchildren from ABCORI congregations on an adventure designed to explore creatures great and small.
We discovered fascinating things about the creatures we encountered—from goats of all sizes and other farm animals to a 24-year-old tortoise and other sea creatures to birds we heard but didn’t see and an owl we got to see up close.
But our adventure allowed us to discover other things, as well.
Wonder
At some point as we grow up, we seem to lose our natural ability to experience wonder. During Elder Care Ministries’ A Grand Adventure, participants—from the youngest to the oldest—discovered (or rediscovered) that sense of wonder. Whether it was petting a baby goat or feeding a horseshoe crab or listening to the sounds of nature or learning amazing facts about owls, the response was one of wonder—wonder that could be seen on faces and heard in voices during private and group conversations.
Kindness
Another discovery during our time together was kindness. It was heartwarming to watch older grandchildren, as well as grandparents, help younger grandchildren feed animals, make crafts, and play games. We also experienced acts of kindness from the staff members we met during our offsite adventures, as well as from the food service and waterfront staff at Canonicus.
Connections
For several families, this was their second summer to participate in A Grand Adventure, so it was fun to watch them reconnect. New connections, which grew throughout the week, also formed between the grandchildren and among the grandparents.
Independence
As we shared various adventures, it was a joy to watch the grandchildren discover a new sense of independence. The Green and Rathbun lodges that housed the families became like a neighborhood that was safe for the children to explore. Grandchildren, as well as their grandparents, took the risk of trying new things during our time together.
Laughter
It didn’t take long for us to discover the sound of laughter during our adventure. Laughter seemed natural among the grandchildren as they played together, among the grandparents as they sat and talked, and among the entire group as members shared funny moments from the day. The grandparents and I agreed that we should have kept a journal of the humous things uttered during the week. (My favorite may have been when one of the grandchildren recalled the “rampaging turtle” at the aquarium. To be fair, Darwin the tortoise did walk at quite a clip while making his rounds.)
Sacred Moments
The discovery of sacred moments happened throughout the week. It was so special to hear group members reflect on how wonderfully God created the various animals we encountered. The recognition of how special God has created each of us also became a sacred experience.
I am grateful for the grandparents and grandchildren who made this summer’s A Grand Adventure so amazing. I already am looking forward to next summer’s adventure.
Kathryn Palen