As we drove along the bumpy road in a school bus filled with excited but tentative 10th graders, we were wondering what detail we might have forgotten that would compromise our success at the Catamount ropes course at Catamount Adventure Park.A few students bowed out at the last minute and didn't show up at school, some students wanted to change groups so they could be with more of their friends, and we were wondering about the logistics of feeding 70 students at an unoccupied ski slope.Surely something would go wrong because a flawless field trip was just too much to expect.But we were mistaken - a perfect day was in the waiting for us, and we would drive back to Mt. Everett's campus six hours later marveling at our good fortune and basking in the joy of an ideal shared experience.

The fact that the weather turned out to be one of the most beautiful days of spring made us all feel giddy at our good fortune, but that was only the beginning of our elation. As the students and staff marched up the hill to enter the forest, all sharing in the excitement of an anticipated adventure, the camaraderie instantly set in and everyone squealed with delight when we saw the challenging ropes course that was before us.Within minutes you could hear kids screaming, "You can do it.""Great job." "Don't be afraid; it's not as scary as it looks." "It's okay; I'll wait for you."The assigned groups that we had planned quickly dissolved with each student and faculty chaperone immediately grouping according to their needs and desires.It was perfectly harmonious.Glenn and Kurt served as floaters, helping out where there was a need and providing tremendous support to the initially tentative staff.

After three hours of climbing up wobbly ladders, crossing swinging bridges, hanging from cables, and flying along zip lines without any problematic incidents, we were all ready for lunch.To add to the delight of our perfect morning, we were greeted by a feast at the lodge that was laid out by Glenn and Kurt that would have been the envy of Martha Stewart.They had several six-foot long subs neatly cut into individual portions and labeled according to their contents: "Ham," "Roast Beef," "Veggie," etc.We had coolers of lemonade and water, bags of potato chips, and assorted condiments in containers.When Glenn and Kurt had told us that they were going to take care of the food and that we shouldn't worry one bit, I'll admit that we were a bit concerned.But we needn't have been.It couldn't have been more pleasurable.We all sat outside at picnic tables and on the chalet deck in the sunshine while a beautiful breeze kept us comfortable, and we knew that something special was happening.

When the students learned that we weren't rushing back to school after lunch and that they had an hour and a half to play in the field and just relax, they were in shock.This was too good to be true We then took out the Frisbees and soccer balls and let them do as they pleased.The staff all watched with pride as the students grouped together in surprising combinations and enjoyed each other in a way we had never before witnessed.

The ride back to the campus was filled with laughter and chatting as the students spoke of their terrifying experiences and the thrill of going back for more.We all knew that we had achieved exactly what we had hoped for: a chance to enjoy time together that involved seeing ourselves in a new light; an opportunity to show care and concern for each other; and a chance to stretch ourselves and discover the thrill of facing a new challenge.