I have to be honest, I was very apprehensive about this year’s trip to the Ozarks.

While I was looking forward to the beauty of nature, being on the water, and spending time with the Scholars, I was worried about the camping, especially with 90 plus degree days predicted.

I was responsible for some major details of trip planning this year, and some of those details had me worried.

I had plans B to Z for everything that could go wrong from the time we left on our seven hour drive. One situation, however, eluded my planning. What if it rained the entire week? How would I entertain 25 teenagers?

I spent many sleepless nights pondering the numerous disasters that could occur. When it was time for the trip, I didn’t have the best attitude. I just wanted to get down to the Ozarks and "get it over with."

Not even three hours into the trip, we hit a glitch. We needed to stop for lunch, but I couldn’t remember where the rest area was. How could I drive and look at the map at the same time?

That’s when I remembered I had three Scholars in my car. Perhaps these electronic-device addicted teenagers could help me?

I discovered that even in these days of GPS units and cell phones with all their mapping capabilities, these "kids" could actually read an old-fashioned map. And they successfully navigated us, not only to the rest area, but to our final Ozark destination as well.

Unfortunately, by the next morning, I had forgotten how competent our Scholars are, and I was back to treating them like "kids." My attitude was reinforced five minutes into our first day's canoe trip.

I had to jump in the river and pull one of them to shore after he and his partner tipped their canoe.

The next half of that canoe trip was extremely stressful for me. With most of the Scholars far ahead of us in their canoes, I worried about whether they were getting sunburned, drinking enough water, and tipping their canoes without me to rescue them. What would they do without me to help and nag?

And it was on the second half of that canoe trip that I found out.

You see: my canoeing partner and I went on a "tipping spree" the likes of which I am sure have never been or will again be seen on that river. Guess who helped us retrieve our belongings and get back in the canoe?

Yep, the "kids."

In fact, they spent the entire week rescuing each other, without a whole lot of assistance from the adults.

Time after time, I experienced the lesson Veteran Team Captain Mike Williams taught me while on last year's adventure in the Smoky Mountains - If you stay out of their way, the "kids" can accomplish great things.

And, watching them do just that was the highlight of my Ozark experiences.

By mid-week, I was not looking forward to going home. In fact, I dreaded leaving. On the last evening, I told the Scholars it was the best trip I have ever taken in my life, and I meant it.

While I will still plan for any and all potential disasters in preparing for next year's trek to Gettysburg and Washington D.C. - I will be mindful that sometimes I am the one who tips the canoe.

And should that occur, I have over two dozen friends who will be there to help.

- Patti Welander
Chief of Operations