Education Matters
BowTie Boys Take an Educational Trip
On Tuesday, August 16, 2011; at 5:00 AM, it all began. Ten BowTie students and 4 staff members met at the Foundation Headquarters in Lancaster, PA, packed up the vehicles, and were on our way. On our way to Cambridge, MA to visit MIT, better known as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Everyone knew where we were heading, but little did they know how much of an impact it would have on their lives. We finally arrived at MIT at about 1:30 in the afternoon, and were happy to get out and stretch. But even happier to get on the campus, start asking questions, and seeing what it is like to be at the number 5 school in the world.
While walking around on the campus and taking the tour, we found out various tidbits that were not known, like who built certain buildings, the different facts about the dorms, and that you can be underground and get from your dorms to your classroom without coming above ground. The children found out first hand as well that you never know who you will meet, as they got to speak briefly to the head basketball coach who just happened to be walking past us.
After taking in a lot of information on the first day, it was time for dinner and some interesting team building activities. From the “Indian Run” around a portion of the Charles River, to the “Mine Game”, all the way to a game that involved 5 people to have only their hands on the ground; it took a lot of teamwork and communication to get the job done. This is something that all the boys excelled in, and we could not be prouder of how everyone handled themselves during this, especially after a long day.
The second day was what I believe most people were looking towards, the day we visited Harvard; the number 2 school in the world. We quickly found out that Harvard is probably one of the most secretive schools in the country, but are very catering to freshman, as well as to students that have been accepted. Walking around the campus, I noticed was a bright spot in the trip for a lot of our students, in knowing that they have just as good of a chance to get into this school as anyone. Harvard was a great trip for us, and yet again a lot of information; but later that night, they got a taste of a well prepared meal and a taste of the business life; as we took them to Smith & Wollensky; one of the finest and most upscale restaurants in the Greater Boston Area.
Not many people get to visit MIT and Harvard in two days, let alone Yale the third day; but the BowTie Boys got exactly that. Yale University in New Haven, CT was the final college on our three-day college tour. We had an excellent tour guide who was very knowledgeable and answered just about every question thrown at him but Andrew Williams and the rest of our BowTie Boys. We found out some very interesting information and saw some cool things while on campus, but it wasn’t until we were reminiscing about the whole trip did everyone realize exactly what was at stake and what had happened. Everyone realized the full reason and potential to why we took them to 3 of the top 5 colleges in the world. It is completely possible and for the most part expected that our students attend one of these schools. Setting the bar high is what we do at The Children Deserve a Chance Foundation. It is exactly why we took them to these schools. So next time you see one of them, ask them what school they want to go to; chances are Harvard, MIT, or Yale is on that list; and let them tell you why.
