Field Trip!

On my last day of freedom (before starting Student Teaching next week) I spent the morning with Luca and his friends and teachers on a field trip. This is the second field trip I have had the privilage of helping out with in between my placements. The first to see a children's play about farm animals, and the second was a trip out to the Linton Army Camp.

Obviouslly this is nothing new for us, as we tend to go out there to swim just about every weekend or to watch James play soccer (the season is finally over!) but on this particular occasion we got to ride a big bus with all the other children and a special programme had been planned for his school.

Amongst the activities was a trip to the fire station where we got a short firewise safety talk, a tour of the fire station, and then we got to play in the trucks and have a ride around the camp.
Many of the children were afraid when the firefighters came out in their masks, but Luca walked right up them and said "you being silly, eh!?" He loved riding around in the firetruck and even got to push the button to make the sirens go off.

At Luca's school, I'd estimate that about 75% of the children are from Army families. I think it's because the daycare is kind of 'on route' to camp and also that the daycare at the actual army housing facility isn't that great. So obviously with all the moms and dads working in the Army, we got the red carpet rolled out for our little trip.

All these army trucks, tanks (LAVS), ambulances, tents, and camo netting was out on display for the children - along with about 15 soldiers on duty to help out (and of course all the moms and dads that left work to come visit their children). In the above photo Luca is behind the wheel but you can barely see his head . The child in the middle, Luca has nicknamed 'The Fox' and whenever he runs away from him saying "The fox is coming!" It's actually pretty funny, and the nickname has stuck so now all the other children call him the fox too. Who knows why Luca calls him the fox?

All the children were given glowsticks, and had their faces painted in camo paint. We also got to have morning tea and lunch out at the camp. I'm amazed how well behaved the children are when they all get together. They sit when they're asked, and for the most part do what the teachers say. On the busride back to their school another mom said to me "your son is so well behaved!" Obviously we all know he has 'his moments', but it felt really good to get this complement. He really is a sweet boy, and generally quite behaved. He was very chatty to the soldiers. Saying things like "Wow, you're a good soldier" and "Where are we going Soldier?"

When James came to visit, Luca got really excited. He had this huge cheesy grin, and was so happy that he started wiggling around and pumping his hands in the air. He's totally over animated sometimes - all the other parents thought it was adorable.