Dear Friends of Boundless:
Fresh off a 30-day session from hell, the students have rebounded big time in this final 40-day stint of the boarding school.
Buoyed by more favourable weather, a couple of new stellar kids, the youth have so far survived the onslaught of history assignments. They assiduously prepared and executed a big event for the Palmer Rapids Elementary School kids yesterday. It was an extravaganza of recreation and challenge none would soon forget.
Playing the leaders’ roles, the students had a front row seat into the lives of the Boundless staff and the nonsense we contend with every day. For the older parents out there, you understand that it can take decades for your kids to realize you aren’t a moron.
Shockingly it took our student Dylan only 200 days.
He came to me the night before the event and insisted he write a blog entry to all of you. He follows my scribblings with a keen and critical eye – along with his relentless environmental and culinary audits – and figures he could do better. So here he is, quoted verbatim, scribbled in pencil with a Dylan-gent word count (I warned him about more than 200 words, so help me).
“Over my six sessions at Boundless I have gained a deep respect and understanding of the people who deal with the sad, angsty, annoyed and confused teens. The staff, course directors, mentors and front line (sic).
Tomorrow I face the possibility of my greatest facilitation challenge yet! I have to present and direct games that my team and I created using limited resources to a bunch of young elementary students. Take out the elementary part and you receive part of the job description for Boundless staff.
I’ve seen how my compatriots act sometimes and safe to say (sic) I’m proud of the staff because of what they have to deal with.
I try not to annoy the staff but sometimes I can’t help it. It’s fun seeing reactions (sic) of my teachers and classmates as I utter nonsense and bring tomfoolery to the (indecipherable). I really try my best to do this.
The staff do more than facilitate. They check in, play, lead, teach, support and more.
Tomorrow it might be my turn to see what a staff feels like (sic). I’m a bit scared. I’ll try my best to do a good staff impression (sic).”
Dylan, my response to you is that we officially have you dead to rights. We thought you were playing us. Now we know.
That’s it for now. I’ll write again at the end of the month with a post game analysis of the year.
In the meantime, may Spring come swiftly.
Steven
