Pinewood In Puerto Rico

7th and 8th Grade Service Trip! Read more

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Trip start
February 15, 2024
Pinewood In Puerto Rico Bill Bates
The Adventure Begins! 🌟✈️
February 15, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 52 °F
We’ve gathered at San Francisco International Airport, excited for our overnight journey to Puerto Rico. A quick layover in Charlotte before we touchdown in San Juan. Everyone’s eager to dive into the adventures that await!

Dinner’s done, bags are checked, and we’ve conquered security with time to spare, all thanks to Mr. Riches’ top-notch organizing and planning skills!

Charlotte, here we come—though it’ll be a groggy 3am for our internal clocks! Let’s see how this part of the adventure unfolds. 😂

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Pinewood In Puerto Rico Bill Bates
Groggy, but Onward to San Juan! 😴✈️
February 16, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 43 °F
Touchdown in Charlotte! The flight was as quiet as a library. Do the kids know what that is? 🤣 It seems like everyone, including me, took the golden opportunity to catch some Z’s. 😊

Despite the early hour, we made it to our connecting gate with time to spare—cue the snack run! The kids seized the moment for some unexpected free time to refuel. It’s amazing what a few snacks can do to lift the spirits of a group of kids on an adventure. 🍫🍏

Our layover here is just a brief pause on our journey; no time for dawdling as the city of San Juan awaits us. We’re all ready and excited for the next leg of our trip.

San Juan, here we come! 🌴

#OnTheMove #SanJuanNext #SleepyTravelers #SnackTimeRead more
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Pinewood In Puerto Rico Bill Bates
Hello, San Juan! 🌞✈️
February 16, 2024 in Puerto Rico ⋅ ⛅ 86 °F
After a swift three-hour flight from Charlotte, during which I (and, from a quick survey, nearly all the kids) managed to catch some more sleep 😴, we’ve officially landed in beautiful San Juan!

Now, we’re gathered at baggage claim, eagerly awaiting our first face-to-face with the Rustic Pathways team. The kids are excited as we embark on what promises to be an unforgettable service-learning adventure. 🌴💼

#SanJuanArrival #RusticPathways #ServiceLearningAdventureRead more
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Pinewood In Puerto Rico Bill Bates
First Stop: Dreams Miramar 🏨🍲
February 16, 2024 in Puerto Rico ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F
Arrived at our first hotel and kicked things off with a delicious lunch of Arroz con pollo - a savory blend of chicken, rice, beans, and veggies, plus salad on the side. I was so famished that I forgot to snap a picture before we all started eating!

We were all losing steam, but the meal was just what we needed to recharge our batteries. After getting our room assignments, we took some time to relax and freshen up, gearing up for the adventures that lie ahead.

#DreamsMiramar #PuertoRicoEats #AdventureAwaitsRead more
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Pinewood In Puerto Rico Bill Bates
Journey Through Time in Old San Juan 🕰️🌺
February 16, 2024 in Puerto Rico ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
Our adventure began at the majestic Capitol Building. We then meandered through Plaza Colón, which pays homage to the explorer it's named after. From the cliffs above, we could see the imposing fort Castillo San Cristóbal looking down on us. Once the protector of Old San Juan.

The Plaza de Armas of San Juan, with its energy and historic charm, was our next stop. Here we took a moment to soak in the lively atmosphere that makes Old San Juan so enchanting.

Our final stop at Parroquia San Francisco de Asis allowed us a moment of reflection. This historic church, with its beautiful architecture and serene ambiance, provided a peaceful conclusion to our tour of historical sights.

#OldSanJuanTour #HistoricAdventures #PuertoRicoHeritageRead more
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Pinewood In Puerto Rico Bill Bates
Old San Juan: Pigeons and Ice Cream 🐦🏡🍦
February 16, 2024 in Puerto Rico ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F
After soaking in the history of Old San Juan, our exploration took an interesting turn at the famous Pigeon Park, where we made some feathered friends amidst the laughter and coos. 🕊️ Next, we were fascinated by Puerto Rico's thinnest house - a vibrant yellow slice of architecture that's hard to believe is someone's home! 🎨 Yes, the yellow painted wall in the picture is an actual house!

The adventure sweetened with what might just be the best ice cream I've ever tasted. A scoop (or two) of local flavors was the perfect treat to cool down. 🍨 I chose Macadamia Cream and Chocolate, Almond, Caramel Crunch. 😁😋

Energized by our sweet treat, we enjoyed some free time, wandering the cobblestone streets for souvenirs and snapshots of this enchanting city. 🛍️📸

Our evening concluded back at the hotel with a delicious dinner, wrapping up a day filled with discovery and delights. By 9pm, we were all cozied up in our rooms, happily exhausted from our adventures. 🌆💤

#OldSanJuan #PigeonPark #ThinHousePR #IceCreamHeaven #ExploringSanJuanRead more
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Pinewood In Puerto Rico Bill Bates
Cueva María de la Cruz Adventure!
February 17, 2024 in Puerto Rico ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
Our day kicked off with a delicious breakfast prepared by our guides, fueling us for the day's adventure. Next up: the exploration of Cueva María de la Cruz!

Before delving into the cave, the kids warmed up with a game of Zap. This circle game, full of quick reflexes, memory, and laughter, was not just entertainment but a clever way to forge new friendships and learn names among the 7th and 8th graders with every shout of “zap.” The laughter set a joyful tone for the day. 😄👫

Nestled next to a youth center, Cueva María de la Cruz revealed itself as a majestic natural wonder. Inside, the presence of bees nests high on the ceiling added to the cave's intrigue, though they kept their distance from our group. 🐝🏞️

Situated in one of the island’s earliest-settled areas, Cueva María de la Cruz is more than just a natural landmark; it’s a historical treasure. We learned from Laura, our local expert, that it holds archeological wonders from as far back as 4000 BC and as recent as 100 AD. The evidence discovered here confirms it as a location of some of Puerto Rico’s first inhabitants.

Our adventure in Cueva María de la Cruz was a fun start to the day, filled with learning and laughter.

#CuevaMaríaAdventure #ZapGame #CaveExploration #PuertoRicoDiscoveryRead more
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Pinewood In Puerto Rico Bill Bates
Embracing the Rhythms of Bomba 🌊💃
February 17, 2024 in Puerto Rico ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F
Our journey continued as we ventured to the beautiful seaside of Vieques. We arrived a few min early and had some free time to relax explore the beach, which was absolutely gorgeous!

Our main activity was a lesson in Bomba, a culturally important local dance steeped in history and significance. Our instructor, full of energy and knowledge, not only taught us the dance steps but also shared the history and importance of this Afro-Puerto Rican tradition.

Originating from the West African slaves during the Spanish colonial period, Bomba is a dance of communication, where the dancer and the drummers engage in a rhythmic conversation, with each movement prompting a response from the drum.

Initially shy, the kids soon found their rhythm, encouraged by the infectious beats and our instructor's unending enthusiasm. Watching them embrace the dance was sweet. Some gravitated towards it more than others, but everyone still took part.

Following our dance adventure, we enjoyed a yummy lunch at Restaurant Villa Pesquera Herrera, where I indulged in a delicious side of mofongo with my chicken wings. Mofongo, with its garlicky smashed plantains, was a flavorful introduction to traditional Puerto Rican cuisine.

Our day in Vieques concluded with our spirits high and our hearts full, ready to soak up the sun and the sea as we headed to the beach!

This experience was more than just a dance lesson; it was a deep dive into the soul of Puerto Rico, leaving us with memories and moves for a lifetime.

#ViequesAdventure #BombaDance #CulturalImmersion #PuertoRicanCuisineRead more
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Pinewood In Puerto Rico Bill Bates
Sun and Waves at Vacía Talega Beach 🌊✨
February 17, 2024 in Puerto Rico ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F
Our Puerto Rican adventure finally gave us some fun in the sun with an afternoon spent at Vacía Talega Beach. Embraced by warm waters and gentle waves, we found our slice of paradise, swimming, floating, and playing in the ocean for hours. The beach's gentle waves added just the right touch as we frolicked in the surf.

The journey to Vacía Talega was an experience in itself, offering gorgeous ocean views that highlighted the island's natural beauty.

Returning to Dreams Miramar, our day ended in some fun after dinner. The evening brought with it a game of Black Magic, a mystery/puzzle taught by our guides that captivated everyone's imagination and teased their brains as they tried to figure it out. It was fun to watch as they did not want to give up! After a while a few of them figured it out and took part in the magic mystery, helping our guides run the game. It was a major sense of accomplishment and pride for the ones who figured it out!

We went to bed with our heads full of fun and adventure and, I think, a little closer too. 🙂

#BeachDayBliss #PuertoRicoParadise #MysteryGames #PerfectDayEndsRead more
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Pinewood In Puerto Rico Bill Bates
Toro Verde: A Ziplining Adventure! 🌳🌤
February 18, 2024 in Puerto Rico ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
Our day started with an early breakfast, followed by a scenic yet lengthy bus ride to our much-anticipated destination: Toro Verde Adventure Park. Nestled in the heart of Puerto Rico's beautiful landscapes, Toro Verde houses the longest zip line in the US and the third longest in the world, stretching an impressive 8,300 ft (1.57 miles)!

You could almost see the excitement in the air as we embarked on a series of seven zip lines, with the longest zipping us across 4,150 ft (0.79 miles). The height of the zip lines ranged from a few hundred feet to over 1,000 feet above the ground! Each zip line offered breathtaking views and an adrenaline rush! I wish I had a GoPro camera!!!

Watching the kids face their fears and conquer the zip lines was nothing short of inspiring. Their courage and determination are a testament to the spirit of adventure that this trip has fostered.

The challenge peaked between the 6th and 7th zip line with a daunting 150-step staircase, which, at times, felt like climbing a ladder to the sky! At one point, a few of us wondered if it would ever end! 🤣🪜

Our journey through the skies concluded with a well-deserved pizza feast at the park's open-air restaurant, surrounded by the beauty of Puerto Rico's natural scenery.

Days like these at Toro Verde not only push our physical limits but bring us closer together! Our adventure was an incredible experience that gave us memories that will last a lifetime. 😁

#ToroVerdeAdventure #ZipliningFun #PuertoRicoExplorations #BraveHeartsRead more
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Pinewood In Puerto Rico Bill Bates
Toro Verde Bonus Post!
February 18, 2024 in Puerto Rico ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
I had a few more pictures and videos to share. Including 25 or so of the stairs between zip lines 6 and 7!!! Believe me, the picture does not do them justice!
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Pinewood In Puerto Rico Bill Bates
Project #1 and A Pledge to Protect 💚🌿
February 19, 2024 in Puerto Rico ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F
Today's journey led us to Julio Enrique Monagas Park in the town of Bayamón, where alongside the Leave No Trace Foundation, we didn't just serve; we learned and earned our certification in the seven principles of Leave No Trace:
1. Plan ahead and prepare.
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
3. Dispose of waste properly.
4. Leave what you find.
5. Minimize campfire impacts.
6. Respect wildlife.
7. Be considerate of other visitors.

We're now certified guardians of nature, ready to apply these principles wherever we go, making every step we take a step towards a better world. 🌎

From picking up trash to painting fences under the sun, we put these principles into action, beautifying and safeguarding this national park that served the community with hiking trails, campsites, and recreation areas. Today, service took on a new meaning—service is not just about grand gestures (building schools and working in soup kitchens) but also about caring for our environment in what might seem like small ways, leaving a lasting impact.

It was hot and the kids worked hard. It was great to see. 🙂

#LeaveNoTrace #ServiceLearning #JulioEnriqueMonagasPark #EnvironmentalStewardsRead more
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Pinewood In Puerto Rico Bill Bates
Julio Enrique Monagas Hike 🌳⛰️
February 19, 2024 in Puerto Rico ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F
After our service project we embarked on an exhilarating hike through the park’s wilderness. We found old military bunkers and beautiful forest views. The crown jewel of our trek was the breathtaking view from the trail's summit where we had an amazing view of Old San Juan in the distance. A perfect end to a meaningful experience. 🇵🇷

#HikingAdventures #JulioEnriqueMonagas #ViewFromTheTop #OldSanJuanRead more
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Pinewood In Puerto Rico Bill Bates
Tonight We Learn The Salsa! 💃🏻
February 19, 2024 in Puerto Rico ⋅ 🌙 79 °F
Before we ended our day, we got another dancing lesson. Tonight we learned Salsa dancing! 🕺🏻

I am not someone who was born with dancing coordination, so I struggled mightily. However, many of the kids picked it up very quickly! It was amazing to watch.

Laughter, music, and the joy of learning something new brought us all closer. Ending the day on a high note of shared smiles and salsa steps was the cherry on top of an already perfect day. 🌟

#SalsaNight #DanceAdventures #PerfectDayEndsRead more
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Pinewood In Puerto Rico Bill Bates
Service with Para la Naturaleza 🌱🌞
February 20, 2024 in Puerto Rico ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F
Our second service project was conservation with Para la Naturaleza Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico. Their mission? To significantly expand Puerto Rico's protected natural lands from 8 percent today to 33 percent by 2033, ensuring that the beauty and biodiversity of the island thrive for generations to come. 🌴

Our task for the day was at the tree nursery, nurturing the growth of endemic and native trees destined to reforest the island's nature preserves and public spaces. Under the hot Caribbean sun, we attacked the weeds, which compete with the young trees for essential nutrients and water. Left unchecked, they would choke out the saplings.

As you can see from the picture of the bucket loader filled with the fruits of our labor—piles of weeds—was evidence of our hard work and its impact on this important conservation effort. 🪴🌱

Surrounded by the beauty of the nursery, our work was not just about weeding; it was a exercise in contributing to Puerto Rico's future. The satisfaction of knowing we played a part in this goal made our sweat worthwhile. A fulfilling day of service! 😁

#ParaLaNaturaleza #ConservationEfforts #ServiceProject #PuertoRicoPreservationRead more
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Pinewood In Puerto Rico Bill Bates
A Visit to Museo Eco-Exploratoria ✨
February 20, 2024 in Puerto Rico ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
Fueling up for our day, we hit Burger Town for lunch. With high expectations for a name that promised so much. I give it a solid B+. Not mind-blowing, but definitely yummy. 🍔

After lunch, our journey took an educational turn at the Museo Eco-Exploratoria, Puerto Rico's science museum. Its mission is to help preserve life as we know it on Earth and expand our footprint in the cosmos. To achieve those goals aim to cultivate scientific knowledge and instill in is a passion for science, technology, mathematics and engineering.

We learned about the impact of severe weather on our environment. They also explained the life cycle and workings of mosquitoes as well as bioluminescent phytoplankton. The kids even got a chance to deliver the weather forecast like a TV weather person green screen and all! They also found other ways to have fun with the green screen. 😁

Next was a visit to the space exploration side of the museum. We got a sneak peek into NASA’s Artemis mission. With the promise of crewed missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, the Space Launch System NASA is working on is the only rocket capable of carrying crew and large cargo to the moon, Mars, or deep space in a single launch. Through the wonders of VR, some of us collected moon rocks, getting a hands-on glimpse into the future of space exploration. 🚀

As we wrapped up our day and returned to Dreams Miramar for our final night, the excitement of today wound down into much needed sleep. 💤

#MuseoEcoExploratoria #ScienceAdventure #SpaceExploration #PuertoRicoDiscoveryRead more
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Pinewood In Puerto Rico Bill Bates
Conservation at El Yunque 🌿🌧
February 21, 2024 in Puerto Rico ⋅ 🌧 81 °F
Our final day of service was nothing short of extraordinary as we ventured into El Yunque National Forest, the pride Puerto Rico and the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. At nearly 29,000 acres, it is one of the smallest rain forests in size, yet one of the most studied on Earth.

Our mission? To combat the encroachment of invasive species which pose a critical threat to the forest's endangered plants. We learned the difference between native species, which are common to a region (the Caribbean), and endemic ones, that are unique to a specific area (Puerto Rico). During the day, we met one of the endemic species, Puerto Rico’s unofficial mascot, the beloved common coquí frog. 🐸

Dressed in our work gear, we embarked on our task to wage war on the invasive kudzu vine just as the skies opened, showering us with a downpour befitting of a rainforest. To be labeled a rain forest, it must average 120 inches of rain a year. El Yunque, living up to its name, allowed us to experience firsthand a portion of its 250 inches of rainfall a year. 🌧️💧🌈

The determination and resilience of our students was inspiring. They handled the spiders, bugs, delicate work, and rain with ease.

After what felt like an eternity, rain-soaked and tired, we finished our task. As we wrapped up we had time to dry off and visit the gift shop.

Service is more than just mere action; it's about the lasting footprint we leave on the world. Today, these 22 junior high students proved they could make a world of difference, one vine at a time. 🇵🇷

#ElYunqueService #RainforestConservation #JuniorHighHeroes #PuertoRicoPrideRead more
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Trip end
February 23, 2024