CatRock Urban Backpacking Trip

Danny came up with an extreme idea for us CatRock kids to go on an urban backpacking trip from Brooklyn to Manhattan. We all pitched in our ideas on how the trip should run and what we wanted to do along the way. At first we wanted to go as a whole group but it there were too many of us so we had to spilt up into two groups: the yellow and green groups. There were also maps that consisted of the different checkpoints that we would be stopping at. The checkpoints are basically different buildings that we find amusing and want to learn more about their history (museums, banks etc). Each group was given a different set of checkpoints to follow and a mission to complete.
Brooklyn was where we had to start first, but we needed somewhere to stay for the night in Brooklyn so we could start our hike early Saturday morning. A family was kind enough to let us rest in their backyard garden for the night. Remember – its an urban hike which means we slept outdoors. Our plan was to watch the sunrise at the Brooklyn bridge early in the morning and I must say we accomplished that.
Watching the sunrise while we were walking across the bridge was breath-taking it looked so beautiful it made me feel like I was in a peaceful place where there was no one to disturb me. Moving on, we finally got to the end of the bridge where the two teams had to separate to complete their tasks so we made like a banana and split;)
The journey began as we hiked and hiked the beautiful city of Manhattan and stopped to place our eyes on the breath-taking buildings and architecture – who would ever think that Manhattan was such a beautiful place – I was one who certainly didn’t think it would have been so spectacular but I was fooled. We hiked miles and miles until darkness came upon us. A kind family let us sleep on the roof of their building – yes the roof! Who would have ever thought of that – but they did and we thank them for that. Sleeping on the roof was something new but I must say it was a good experience. There were tall buildings surrounding us, stars that shined bright in the sky, and the weather was just right. It couldn’t have gotten any better than that. ☺
The next day we set off to finish the rest of the hike. It was also the last day of the hike so we had no choice but to finish it.
This was a great experience for me and I recommend you to try it and I bet you will know so much stuff about New York that you haven’t known before so please if you haven’t explore it before then this is a great chance to do so – you won’t regret it.

Written by Tiffany Huggins – CatRock Blogger

Poetry Corner Part 2

You changed my world with a blink of an eye, that is something that I can not deny…You just don’t know what you have done for me, you even pushed me to the best that I can be …You really are an angel sent from above, to take care of me and shower with love…When I’m with you I will not cry even a single a tear
And your touch has chased away all of my fear…You have given me a life that I could live worthwhile, it is even better every time you smile… It so magical those things you’ve made, to bring back my faith that almost fade… Now my life is a dream come true, it all began when I first met you… Now I have found what I am looking for, it’s you and your love and nothing more…I wish I could talk until the end of day, but now I’m running out of things to say… So I’ll end by the line you already know, “I LOVE YOU” more than what I could show

by Kyron Slater

Snowboarding at Mountain Creek

On February 21, 2009, the CatRock Leadership Academy went snowboarding with a few other CampInteractive kids. Mountain Creek in Vernon NJ donated 22 lift tickets and 22 rental tickets for us to have an awesome time. We’re thankful for them.

I can definitely speak for all when I say this snowboarding trip was such a great experience.

Some of the leaders have never been snowboarding before and had to stay on the bunny hill with Mountain Creek instructor Shannon until they learned how to properly ride. The rest of the group were very experienced and took on the more advanced hills and slopes with instructors Homer and Danno.

THANK YOU MOUNTAIN CREEK!!!

-Written by CatRock Blogger

On February 21 the CatRock leadership program attend a snow resort called Mountain Creek.

Also selected CampInteractive student were also chosen to go. The departing time from the tec and treck center was 7 am where they agreed on meeting at 6 45am. A van was rented in order to travel from the tec and treck center to mountain creek and back. No electronics were allowed on this trip. The reason for this action is for the kids can socialize instead of going into there own world with their ipods, cell phones, etc……
When the CatRock leadership team arrived at Mountian Creek after about a two hour drive, they got geared with the necessary equipment to snowboard. They where divided into three groups acorroding to skill level. Beginner, Intermediate, and Expert. One Mountain Creek staff member was assigned to each ground. The beginners received two lessons. One in the morning and a another in the afternoon, after lunch. For the Intermediates and Experts they just snowboarded and had a great time.
Around 1 o’clock CatRock rejoined and went to lunch. At two o’clock they got back together with out their orginal groups and hit the mountains again. After about two to three hour CatRock reunited again. They de issued there gear and got ready to go. When everyone was packed CatRock got into a circle to do high and low, were everyones feelings were listened in a respectful matter. After the circle they got back in the van and conversadited almost the whole way back.

-Written by CatRock Blogger

Check out Mountain Creek – So close to home!

CatRock Poetry Corner

Some flow from CatRock leader Kyron Slater.
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Beauty is a Distraction from Other Beauties

Looking at your dark curly hair, and the shine it gives when you’re near by,
Not realizing that there are so many huge beautiful mountains that are also near by.
Your cheeks resemble rose petals, dark, enriched pink or light, smooth red,
Forgetting that the beautiful, powdered snow is as soft and fluffy as a thermopedic bed.
Lost in your big brown eyes, as you are staring into mine,
Instead of appreciating the sights of Aspen trees and the mountains’ tree-lines.
Your beauty is great it’s almost unbelievable,
But it distracts me, and makes Aspen’s beauty almost unconceivable.
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The Ungrateful Mind

Wow, that sounds good. I want Burger king,
My mother just spent hours cooking a delicious, warm meal.
Can u just pay for one more bill? It’s just a cell phone bill.
My mother kills herself to pay rent school tuition, and many other bills.
Can I go to Florida with you to go on the cruise?
A kind man has sent me to Aspen, Colorado twice a year since 2007.
You know what? You should come over and chill, and who knows what’s bound to happen after that.
A few train stops from here, there is a girl that is so loyal, and gives me so much love and respect.
Damn! My mother is strict and annoying.
I actually have a mother, and she sacrifices so much to show her love for me.
I want more. I need that. She doesn’t have to know. I know I have that, but can I get…
The Ungrateful Mind.

Winter Camping Trip 2008

     The winter camping trip that we had was amazing. We slept in tents in the snow!! I had so much fun out there snowshoeing, building ice caves and hanging out with friends even though it was cold.

The beginning of our trip started December 19th and went to December 21. On the first day, Friday, all the CatRock kids had a sleepover at CampInteractive even though many did not really sleep because they were too busy talking and playing around. That night was fun. We watched a movie called “Seven Pounds” with Will Smith in it. It was so sad yet so nice and funny. Jesus and some of the kids decided to go outside and make a snowboarding ramp by the steps while everyone else was inside relaxing and using the computers.

     The next morning. We woke up at 6:00 am with Craig barging through the door in a one piece red pajama with a crazy colorful hat on. He made our morning funny. I was tired because most of the night i was on my phone talking on aim with my friends.

The next thing we did was pack all our equipment: cameras, tents, sleeping bags, down jackets, bowls, boots, water bottles, rain jackets, snow pants, and long johns. Once we were done we took all our backpacks, snowshoes and poles to the big white van outside the center and the next thing we know, we were on our way to La Casa Harris in Pawling, NY again. We all were knocked out in the van ride up. Everyone wanted to go inside the cabin and relax for a while: I mean we only get to go once a month.

     I felt anxious to be there again, excited to go snowshoeing, be at the cabin and have fun… but then again I’m not a fan of the cold at all.

While we were on the van i kept on waking up and looking around. It was funny because everyone was asleep. No one was awake other than Shore and Craig because someone had to drive. We finally arrived in Pawling which is near the Catskills in upstate NY and i was excited to be there even though getting out of the van was kind of hard to do. It was cold and the snow was up to our knees! That’s not cool!

 

Adventure Pt.1> Return of CatRock

That day was the first day I saw what everyone has had so many talks and laughs about. That day I felt different. It’s a feeling I cannot always get when I am back home. I can’t lie; I can swear I was excited to be there just like everyone else. Afterwards it was not even excitement; it was an eye opener and a heart mending experience. Not everyone can get a chance to be in the position and place I was those two days and I am glad I was there after three years of being part of CampInteractive.