The Donald

When wondering the streets of NYC, particularly 5th Avenue, you never know who you will run into.  Here Mike's group got the privilege of meeting Mr. Trump.

We Have Arrived Back . . . .

Good morning family and friends!  We arrived safely back home last evening after seven wonderful, fun filled and exciting days on the road.   The YMCA/BMS Freedom Tour was a grand success with many, many magnificent memories.  

We journeyed to our nation's capital and saw an amazing assortment of tributes to our great county and all it offers.  There were countless learning opportunities and many new discoveries along the way.  A lifetime of memories and new friendships.

A special thanks to the team leaders for all their commitment, sacrifice, and support throughout the week.   And, to the students, they were incredible.   They were respectful and represented our Y, our school, and our community very well.   Fun times and memories are what makes Freedom Tour so special.  This group experienced the best of both.

Thank you for following along on our blog.   We will continue to post additional material, so please check back.

Thanks to all,

Francie & Joel

Day Seven and the fun and excitment of visiting the Today Show consumed us.  From there it was shopping and dinning!

Today when we woke up it was cloudy. We went down to breakfast and ate quickly. We then got on the buses and rode to the White House. By then it was pouring, so a ton of people put on their emergency ponchos. We stayed in front of the White House for about half an hour, taking pictures and talking to protestors. We then boarded the bus, dripping wet, and rode to the Holocaust Museum.

--Ann

 

At the Holocaust Museum, we quickly filed in through security, gathered as a group on the carpet, and were given small cards that were about someone’s life during the Holocaust. After reading the cards, we piled into three large elevators. We had three hours to explore the museum on our own. Three hours sounds like a long time but there was so much to read, I could have spent a whole day in there. The museum had a ton of text and pictures which really brought the entire experience to life. One of the most touching parts of the museum was a huge pile of shoes. These shoes were found from a small fraction of the people that were killed during the Holocaust.

--Laura

As we awoke today we found it to be a fairly typical day. We woke up, got ready, got our luggage and headed out for breakfast. It was slightly cloudy but we didn’t quite expect anything to be getting in our way here. We had breakfast in quite a cramped room with lots of other people and ended up packing the bus and leaving slightly late. We were bussed down to the White House and the ride there was almost completely silent, with everyone being asleep. As we got to the White House we sat around for about half an hour, got pictures and spoke with the protesters there. Soon after the White House we went to the World War II Memorial but we couldn’t quite get out because of the rain, so we waited a while and were dropped off at another memorial where we walked to the MLK site. Then we were taken to the Holocaust Museum which was an entirely new experience. As we entered and got through security, we were each given an identification card to read with a story of someone in the Holocaust. We then got put on elevators that were modeled after gas chambers and bussed up to the actual museum where the various exhibits were. Each exhibit was a new story, a new chapter of the world’s advancements that make us who we are today, the past is the artist and we’re a canvas.

--Tommy

Day Six started out with a visit to the White House.   The rain stopped long enough for our traditional group photo.  Then it was off to the U.S Holocaust Memorial Museum.  Our DC visit concluded with lunch along the Basin and visits to the FDR Memorial and the new MLK Memorial.

What a handsome group of students!   The dinner theater was a great way to end another great day.  The day began with a solumn visit to the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam and Korean War Memorials.  The students were very respectful and were able to take so much away from their visit.

Then the day turned to fun, excitement and learning.   The Smithsonian museums were filled and students were seen walking all over the Mall.  The day finished with a wonderful, fun and exciting play - In The Heights. 

Day Four of the 2013 Freedom Tour was an incredible day.  The students and team leaders experienced so much; mere words are difficult to explain the emotion and feelings felt by all.   Our visit to the Gettysburg National Military Park was wonderful as the park prepares for the 150th anniversary of the battle.  Our seasoned Battlefield Guides shared the events that defined history and we walked the sacred ground where so many gave their final last measure. 

Once we arrived in Washington DC our first visit was Arlington National Cemetery where we were inspired by the Changing of The Guard at the Tomb on the Unknowns.  It was moving, and our students were exemplary in their demeanor.   We were in awe as we walked the beautifully landscaped paths of this hallowed ground with the distant sounds of taps and twenty-one gun salutes. 

In the evening we journey back to Arlington where we visited the U.S. Marine Corp Memorial, the statue of the flag raising on Iwo Jima.  After sharing some insight with the students about the individuals who made up the statue, we could look at the memorial from a different light.

While visiting this statue, we were presented with an interesting teaching moment.   There was a news crew from a local ABC TV affiliate asking people to comment on the events of the day surrounding the Edward Snowden and the revealing of classified information.   He had just been indicted on espionage charges and the question was; do you believe this to be a matter of a whistleblower or a traitor?    Although our opinions were that of our own, it generated great discussion and debate on the buses as we moved to our next stop.     Unofficially, the students were split in their opinion; 1/3 felt whistleblower, 1/3 traitor, and 1/3 could go either way.  I'm so proud of these students. 

Today we went to the Vietnam Memorial, which is a long black wall depicting the names of the dead and missing soldiers who were involved in the war. The Korean Memorial, which consisted of a black wall much like the one in the Vietnam Memorial, but instead of depicted names of soldiers, it showed many different faces of actual soldiers etched into the side of it, a collection of statues representing the diversity of America and its armed forces at that time, and a small pool of water which recognized the amount of MIA, dead, and wounded soldiers who were involved in the Korean War.

Finally, we visited the Lincoln Memorial. This famous building which holds the marble carving of one of America’s most famous presidents; Abraham Lincoln, and two of his most famous speeches; The Gettysburg Address and his Inaugural Speech. Once we had left the collection of Memorials and statues dedicated to America’s most appreciated veterans, we headed straight to the Smithsonian Museums of Air and Space, American History, and Natural History. My group first visited the Museum of Air and Space. My favorite exhibit, chosen from the ones we had time to see, was the walk through panels of WWI. This exhibit began with an introduction into the first usages, advantages, and disadvantages of aircraft in the First World War. It included small things like the cameras that were attached to the side of fighter planes to take pictures behind enemy lines.

Later that day, the team leaders decided not to go to the White House one, because of the amount of tourists and citizens that were in the area at that time and would have made it very difficult to see the building, and two, so that we could have more time to get ready for the dinner theatre. Supposedly one of our students saw Tony Hawk on the sidewalk outside the Smithsonian Museums. Two other of our students danced for the public and showed off to the crowds with some street dancers beside a farmers market earlier today. They even beat them in a dance competition in which the winner was chosen with the loudest crowd applause! We then attended a musical called “In the Heights”. It was an awesome experience! The group was able to get served by the stars of the show and meet them close and personal and then watch them as they brought the stage to life with a display of Latin music and romance in present day New York City. All in all, we had an eventful day and are very tired, but also looking forward to what tomorrow has in store.

--Karen

Fourth day of the 2013 Freedom Tour! This day has consisted if many fun and interesting activities. The day started out with us waking up and loading the bus and traveling all the way to Gettysburg where we visited the memorials and monuments learning about all the regiments. After we finished the tour we headed to Washington D.C!

--Brittany

My favorite part of today was visiting the Marine Corps memorial and Pentagon memorial after dinner. They were very emotional and sad. They showed depressing parts of American history, but were also able to show how Americans are able to come together to rise again, and not forget the past, but to honor it.

--Ann

Today is day 4 of the 2013 Bath Area Family YMCA Freedom Tour. We started out from our wakeup calls, getting ready and eating breakfast to get onto the bus by 7:30. From there we started our 2 hour bus ride to Gettysburg. In Gettysburg we had an amazing bus tour guide come onto our bus. We visited the battle field of Gettysburg, and saw all of the monuments from the different regiments. Today having a guest come onto our bus was amazing. Also being able to get on and off the bus to learn a little bit of all the different monuments and take pictures of them was an experience of a lifetime.

--Liz

Today was day four of the Freedom Tour. We drove from Pennsylvania to Washington D.C. and visited Gettysburg and the Arlington National Cemetery as well as two other famous memorials. When we were at Gettysburg we had a step on tour guide who took us through the field and had us visit different significant locations during the battle. At Arlington we visited the Tomb of the Unknown and watched the changing of the guard. We visited the Marine Corps memorial and heard the background story of the soldiers on the monument; it was weird to hear the private story of icons so famous and was really inspiring. At the 9/11 memorial many people cried and it was very solemn. For dinner we went to Union Station, I had a gyro from one of the stands that was really good and a lot of people had pizza or giant doughnuts. Today was very fun and inspiring; I am excited for the rest of the tour.

--Noa

Today we visited the birthplace of our nation and finished the day in beautiful Lancaster County.  A considerable contrast to yesterday.  Another day of excellent weather made our journey even more enjoyable.  The students are receiving compliments everywhere they go, which makes us very proud. 
After three days, it's clear that this is a special group and this is a special trip.

Today was the opposite of horrid, which means great! We had an amazing family style dinner, and got to see a handful of animals on the Amish farms. The food in Philly was amazing, especially the signature sandwich “Philly Cheese Steak”. We also traveled around Philly freely. We also got to see an amazing performance about the Constitution. It was an amazing experience. The dandy part of the trip so far was swimming with our companions. The tour around Amish country was a little bit of boring, but this was my only complaint. To conclude this day, the day was a very beautiful experience for us all<3

 –Raz

Today we did a lot of amazing things, and I mean a lot. We went to the Constitution Center and watched a absotively posilutely amazing performance. I would definitely recommend going there if you ever had the chance. After that we went to the Amish country to see how they lived and still do live today, which was pretty interesting. The scooters they ride are sooo fun. I also had a lot of fun milking/ watering the fake cow utters. The dinner was great, one of the best I’ve had in a while. Same with the dessert. To finish off this wonderful day we had a very nice but cold get together in the pool. There is also one thing left. The big game, Heat vs Spurs. Game 7!(: The Heat better win!

--Dillion

 

So far this trip is going well and it’s pretty fun. We started the day off by visiting the Constitution Center and watched a presentation about the Constitution. Today we also went to an Amish farm and learned a lot about the ways of the Amish people. Afterwards we had an amazing dinner which consisted of Fried Chicken, Mashed potatoes, Roast beef, Corn, and Mixed vegetables. Then when we were done with dinner we had a great desert which was Vanilla Ice cream and ShooFly Pie. I only had the Ice Cream but I bet the ShooFly pie was good also. After all of that we finished the day up by swimming in the pool and watching Game #7 of the finals; Heat vs. Spurs.

-- Tyler

 

                This trip so far has been a lot of fun. Today we went to an Amish farm and learned many things about how the Amish people live. We got to ride the scooters that the Amish people use to get around which was a lot of fun. We also went to the Constitution Center. Later we had a very nice family style dinner. The food was great!! I would go there every day if I could. A lot better than my family’s food… Finally we went swimming in the pool outside of our hotel with our friends and finished it up by watching the big game of Heat vs. Spurs game #7 of the finals. Hope tomorrow will be just as fun as today.

--Stevie

Street entertainment in the financial district of NYC.  These guys were really good!

Today was one of the coolest days so far. We started off by going on a cruise of New York Harbor. After that we all went on our own to shop and do other things. After a certain time we went to the 9/11 Memorial. Once again after that we went on our own, and then we met at the Tenement Museum were we learned about immigrants who came to New York and all the struggles they had. Later on our groups split up in China Town and Little Italy to end the day. My favorite part of the day was when I went to Burger King. I know there are plenty of Burger Kings out there, but I went in one after I just bought my new LeBron jersey. In my words, some thought I was a god, the manager let me cut about 20 people in line and they brought me into the middle of the room and told everyone to clap for me. This about sums up what happened today.

--Daniel

                Today was the second day of the Freedom Tour and we did a harbor cruise around New Year Harbor. The cruise was a lot of fun once you could walk without falling! After that we went the 9-11 Memorial where we saw where the buildings used to stand and see the names of the people who died.

Also we got to see the Freedom Tower which is the highest tower in the United States. My favorite part was dinner because we ate in Chinatown. The food there was real Chinese food and it was very good. After, we walked around Little Italy, where we got desserts (very yummy). On the way back we got to drive though Times Square, which was so cool and we could see where all the stores are for Monday. Well that was the day. J

--Alyson

 

                 Today was, to say the least, tiring. We started off the day with a cruise in the New York Harbor where we got to see the Statue of Liberty and Battery Park. From there we walked through Manhattan and got to see some monuments and bought souvenirs. Then we got to go to the 9/11 Memorial where it was a little like walking through the security at an airport. Once actually in the memorial we got to see the reflecting pools and I have to say it was probably the best part of the day. Once we left we walked to the South Street Seaport and got back on the bus and went to the Lower East Side Tenement Museum where we split into two groups and my group went into a sort of living history museum. My group pretended to be a family and we all had a good laugh at “mama” and “papa”. From there we went to Chinatown and little Italy and had dinner. Once we were thoroughly exhausted, we went back to the hotel. I was dead tired. To sum up the day, it was a lot of walking, sitting in the sun and dealing with New York traffic. And it couldn’t have been more fun!!

--Samantha

 

         Day 2 was, tiring, and wonderful. We started out with a harbor cruise around Manhattan Island, with a great view of not only the New York sky line, but the imposing Statue of Liberty. Of course like every day, I think I, along with others start their day optimistically. It was a beautiful and intriguing cruise for the first 3 hours of the day no matter how tired we were, most of lack of sleep, but most moods changed when we began walking around Manhattan. We split into groups and made our way around with a printed map and, gratefully, a travel-wise leader on our team. Our group walked the famous Wall Street, and got the strangest flavor smoothies from the most stylish pharmacy I’d ever seen. Tired and sweltering, we all made our way to the 9-11 Memorial, where we saw the great fountains pouring into the once south, and north tower bases. It was saddening and beautiful, all at once. Finally we spread out for some sight seeing and met back for a short but well needed rest on the bus. Soon China Town and Little Italy were upon us and a surprising population of people all bustling the streets greeted us with, “NYC hats for 10 dollars!” or “hey, check out ____” which is when you would receive a pamphlet. My favorite part of the day was waiting for food at Puglia, when a man came in and started playing songs. My especially favorite song was the Napkin song, in which we all hopped up on our chairs, shaking our napkins, and sang, “Get up, get up, get up and shake your napkin”. A fabulous way to end our packed day, with a long bus ride back to our New Jersey hotel and much needed sleep for most. Over all, this day was productive and worthy of a trip named the Freedom Tour.

-Aliza

 

 

 

Katz's Deli . . . a great way to end a great day in NYC!

Today we all arrived at the YMCA bright and early at 6:30. We were all a little cranky since we’re not so accustomed to getting up that early. But it was fun from the very start. I can tell you, I have never before had a more fun 7 hour car trip in my life! Between eating candy and talking with friends, everything was a memory to last a lifetime! When we finally got into New York, our very first stop was in the world famous Apollo Theater in Harlem. As we listened to Billy Mitchell speak we were all fascinated and amazed by the fact that such famous people had performed on the stage in front of us. At the end of his wonderful presentation he gave a number of us the opportunity to perform on this stage ourselves. Me, being a lover of music and singing, I decided that I just could not pass up this amazing chance. So I got up on stage and sang my heart out! The song was “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King.

Once we left the theater we walked around Central Park for a little bit. On our way through the beautiful park we saw the John Lennon memorial which, as many of you may know, is a mosaic that says “Imagine.” Right by this memorial there was a group of 3 guys singing with a guitar on a street bench. Many of us, including me, gave them our spare change to show them how much we enjoyed it.

After we left the park, we headed to dinner at the one and only, Katz’s Deli. People really experimented with all of the great food that they had to offer us. There is a sign in the Deli that said “This is where Harry met Sally.” I know, that that is one of my favorite movies and it was so cool to see that sign. After we all stuffed ourselves with the great food we headed to our hotel in New Jersey. It has been a great trip so far and I can’t wait for the rest of it.

                             --Arielle

                Today was such a great day, though it went by very fast and most of it was spent on the bus. Though the bus was one of the best parts where we got to bond, spend time together, see the scenery and how things changed as we made our way closer to New York and farther away from Maine, plus there was the chance to sleep. On the bus we learned new things as Francie occasionally came up and spoke to us, and we got to be closer as a group. Some of the good times were off the bus too. We went to Central Park and saw Balto, an Imagine thing in the ground in memory of John Lennon, and a street performer who may or may not be John Lennon’s relative Shawn Lennon. We’re not sure. We are sure though that we all had a great time. We got to eat at Katz’s Deli where you get a ticket and go up, order your food, they make it for you and write the price on the ticket, then you sit and eat.. But, if you lose your ticket, there is a $50 dollar fine to go along with your meal price. Only one person lost their ticket, though we found it so we didn’t have to pay. I have so many memories and photos from today, it’s hard to believe that it’s only the first day, it went by so quick, yet, we still have about 6 more days to go..

       -- Kylie <33

 

            Today, I was excited to start our journey because I’ve never been to any of the places we are headed. I was up at 5:30 because I couldn’t fall back asleep. My mom isn’t much of an enthusiast, so I got the usual hug and kiss. I’ve never been on a tour bus before, so that was new. Madison nearly killed me for the window seat. =) I honestly just listened to music the whole time if I hadn’t I may have freaked out. We went to the Apollo, I’ve wanted to go there forever because I’m a huge Michael Jackson fan so when I saw his name and picture, I even sang on the same stage as him! I was honored and nervous, because only the “popular girls” usually get noticed, but I felt confident and did my best. Billy Mitchell was amazing, he was our guide. He told us how the Apollo wasn’t originally the Apollo, it was a Burlesque place. It was shut down later because it got out of control, go figure. So, in 1934 some people bought it and renamed it. They didn’t allow blacks at first, it was a while ago remember so they weren’t allowed. Eventually, they were. Smoky Robinson, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, and Michael were some of the many to perform, like Stevie Wonder and so on. I will never forget when Billy told us how important education was. He even shared some about himself, like how he was 1 of 14 kids and they were so poor he was placed in foster care. His mother got him back and he became an errand boy for the Apollo for a few years. We mostly went sightseeing throughout the city for the rest of the day. The city looks so sad to me during the day in the dreariness of how it was raining, but at night, God was it a sight to see. It was breathtaking. I hope tomorrow will be as fun. =)

                  --Jassmine

 

            Today was my first day on the freedom tour. My nerves were everywhere and trying not to forget anything was a challenge. But as early as it was, I wasn’t tired, I was so jittery from leaving my home for a week! It’s very hard to think that in only one day that you can be in the quiet state of Maine to the busy streets of New York. At first it was really scary to think that my parents wouldn’t be there to take me home if I got scared. We were on a bus for hours, but with my friends laughing and making jokes it was very quick and fun! Now that I write I feel that today was a really huge step for me, being the shy girl in the corner. Today we had to push our way through a busy restaurant to get totally worth it food, and taking photos left and right. It was really life changing to see all these things that I considered not very important, and instead to being something that I really was happy to see. Like my childhood hero, Balto, who has a statue in Central Park. This trip is really going to change my view on what others actions do to change the world for us now. And knowing myself a day ago, I wouldn’t have even gotten out of bed thinking I would be on a bus, taking crazy photos of my friends and my childhood hero, not to mention we went underground to get to our hotel!!!!. This trip is going to be amazing. And I hope that my family doesn’t miss me too much (But a little is fine.) Reminders of home are everywhere. I can’t wait to see my family again! I hope tomorrow is going to be as good as today was!!

              --Hannah

 

 

Getting in the Freedom Tour spirit . . . posing for pictures under the red, white, & blue!

We are on our way!

The buses are loaded and we are on the move.   First stop . . . coffee and a good stretch.   We're now making our way through Massachusetts, on our way to New York City.