Stuff

Okay, here's the deal:

Blog updates
I've made a couple of changes to the blog. I've added the super cool countdown to Guatemala. Please check it out. I've also included a list of important sites that you should check out. Those are listed on the righthand side of the blog. I've also made the blog semi-private. That simply means, that no one can really see the blog, unless they have the URL. It cannot be found with a search engine or through the blogger homepage. I want us to be as safe as possible, and that means protecting us from all of the "Chesters" out there.

Travel insurance
One of the sites I've included in the links list on the right is insuremytrip.com. Go here to shop for travel insurance. It's a one-stop shop with hundreds of options. When buying, make sure you get a policy that includes medical evacuation. This is the one requirement we have. Anything else included is frosting on the cake.

Hot Dog Days
If you signed up for a hot dog day Memorial Weekend, please make sure to remember your assignment. Once Mandy emails me the list of assignments, I will post them along with the openings we have. Let Mandy know (mandelyngordon@gmail.com)if you would like to participate and were unable to sign the list last night.

Thanks for a fun meeting yesterday. I'm looking forward to getting to know you (the current versions of you, that is) more this summer. Seriously kids, get ready for the time of your lives. There is nothing more incredible than helping other people and having fun at the same time. I hate to be the one to facilitate addictive behaviors, but I can promise you that you will be hooked to humanitarian work after this trip. My deepest apologies...but not really.

"We're Really Doing It, Harry!"

Explorers,

This is important. Our next meeting is on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the Northwest Plaza Classroom #5. At this meeting, the fourth and final payment will be due for $400. We will also be distributing a small packet of information and papers that need to be signed and returned the next time we meet (May 19). These sheets include:

1. A medical release form that needs to be signed by your family doctor
2. A travel insurance sheet asking for your policy number and provider
3. An information sheet from the Boy Scouts of America that needs to be filled out

During Thursday meeting, we will be discussing teaching plans for the most part. We will also learn a little Spanish, meet one of our new leaders, and get to know each other a little better.

If you had an assignment to bring a teaching/learning idea for your section (either muscular/skeletal or the five senses), please be ready to present that to your group. EVERYone in the muscular/skeletal group was assigned to bring an idea to help teach our section to the kids...so I expect that to happen on Thursday. Savvy? I also want everyone to come with an idea of he or she really wants to get out of this trip whether it's a goal to hug 25 little kids or to get caught in at least three torrential rainstorms, I don't care, as long as you know what you want to accomplish with this humanitarian trip so I can help you do that.

Also, we will be needing a copy of your passport which you can hand in on the May 19 meeting and we have set a tentative date for our yard sale. The yard sale is our way of earning about $1000 within a very short amount of time. We expect everyone to participate. Start saving stuff now that you and your families can donate to the cause. Also, spread the word to your friends, uncles, pets and neighbors so they can have the opportunity to donate stuff as well. The more stuff we collect, the more money we make. Last year I found a pretty cool Cardinals jersey that I bought for a dollar...I'm just saying.

I hope that all makes sense. Let me know if you have any questions. danedehart@gmail.com

Here's my song for today:

The Most Current Meeting Schedule Available—See It Here First!

Just like I promised, I am back to update you on the latest schedule for meetings. Here it is:

Thursday, April 28 5:45pm NW Plaza Classroom #5 (Last payment of $400 due)
Thursday, May 19 5:45pm NW Plaza Classroom #2
Thursday, June 9 5:45pm NW Plaza Classroom #2
Thursday, June 30 5:45pm NW Plaza Classroom #2
Thursday, July 7 5:45pm TBA – Packing Meeting/Finalizations

New Post, New Adventures

As the 2010/2011 school year winds to a close, I would like to welcome the new batch of explorers to the UVRMC Medical Explorers Blog. I know, I know, at this point you are thinking, "Wait, the Explorer Post has basically changed my life and now I get access to one of the most prolifically written blogs ever? It's too much. I'm so undeserving."

And that, dear young ones, is why I am here: to tell you that you ARE deserving and that it is MY pleasure and priviledge to provide this special online place for you to learn more about our preparations for Guatemala, to see a visual account of our adventures last year in the mystical, Mayan lands of Central America and most importantly to give your parental units a chance to see all of the good you are doing when we are down there.

So, in a word: welcome. Welcome to the blog. Welcome to the beautifully miraculous world of humanitarian work AND welcome to the best trip of your entire life. My name is Dane and I will be your guide as we prepare for Guatemala. I'm hoping to update this blog frequently before we leave and daily while we are there. Oh, and I love music, so I may share a song from time to time. Here's one to get the ball rolling—mostly because it's in Spanglish and I'm hoping to teach all of you a line or two of Spanish before we leave: