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Let’s Get It Started – American Voyageur

Jul 042011

American Voyageur checks in from Salt Lake City.

And we’re off!

After some name games and icebreakers at the airport that included everyone sharing their favorite kitchen utensil as well as Bang!, Indian Chief, Mafia and Ninja (this will definitely become a trip favorite!) AmVoy #2 was off.

Before we boarded the bus, everyone was handed a playing card. The red and black numbers paired off and sat together for the first leg of the journey. The suggested conversation…”If you could have any superpower what would it be.” This happened while Let’s Get it Started by the Black Eyed Peas was blaring over the speakers! By the time we got to the campground, the trip members already were acting like a happy Westcoast family!

At the campsite, the tents were put up underneath the beautiful afternoon sun and everyone helped enthusiastically! Yes, we pitched them ourselves! After putting up the tents, we played some football, soccer and Catch-Phrase. There were also plenty of picnic tables with trip members swapping life stories and just plain getting to know one another!

Later on, a true WCC meal was experienced BBQ style. But first we learned the rhythm of the cup game. Clap clap slap slap slap clap move-it-over…once we get the rhythm synched, we’ll be golden!

The amusement park in the evening was amazing with the roller coaster Wicked being the prime attraction. That proved to be the first shared experience that we were all able to enjoy (screaming at the top of our lungs) together 90 degrees up, 90 degrees down! The last thing on the agenda was warm chocolate fondue with strawberries, bananas, marshmallows, pound cake, and Oreos. The perfect way to end the 1^st day!

All in all, the day proved well and we were all smiley and happy.

When we say AmVoy, you say 2.

AmVoy… AmVoy…

Jared & the Staff

The Westcoast Blogger

England the US World Cup Socceer – Group C

European Discovery, European Experience No Responses »

May 262010

Today, we are profiling Group C of the World Cup.

England

The birthplace of Football (or soccer on this side of the pond) the English are a proud bunch. Without a coveted trophy since their storied win in 1966, many think this might be the year for an English victory. The ‘English’ game and league has dominated world football in the last few years with its domestic teams including Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. England has made headlines in recent years attracting the best players and playing competitive games.

Led at the front by one of the best goal scorers in the world, Wayne Rooney, and one of the best defensive core of the tournament, John Terry of Chelsea and Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United, the ‘Three Lions’ will be hoping that it is the flag of St. George that is raised and it is God Save the Queen that is sung on that fateful last day of the tournament in Johannesburg.

England has massive talent and speed. They have a pretty good draw with only the USA a legitimate contender within their group of four for a spot in the next round (Algeria and Slovenia are the other two teams).

You can visit England’s capital city of London on our European Discovery and European Experience programs.

USA

The boys wearing the Star Spangled Banner are by no means a star spangled team, but that won’t bother them one bit. The US team is used to being the underdog (and that’s how they like it!).

At last summer’s Confederations Cup in South Africa (a precursor to the World Cup played by the best countries of each continent), the US more than held their own against Spain and Brazil. Now, in a World Cup group alongside England and small, lesser known, teams like Algeria and Slovenia, the US has a great probability of moving out of the group stage of the World Cup.

The strong point for the US team has always been its goaltending and this year will be no different. Led by Tim Howard at the back the hope is they can repel attacks and counter attack using the speed of their forward and midfield players like Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey, both of whom played their football in England this year (Landon Donovan plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy but played a portion of the year ‘on loan’ for Everton Football Club in England).

Coach Bob Bradley must be liking his chances to repeat what the 2002 team did in Korea when they surprised mighty Portugal in the first game, reached the next round where they defeated bitter rivals Mexico 2 nothing only to succumb to Germany in the quarter-finals 1-0 (not too shabby!).

Westcoast Connection / 360° Student Travel are proud to visit and travel throughout the beautiful and incredible United States of America on many of our Active Teen Tours, Community Service Programs, Outdoor Adventures and Sports Programs.