Activity Write-Ups

In November in 2012 the Ventures went on a Scuba trip to Monterey Bay. The people who attended were Ryan, Annie,Sam,Roger,and Emily. At the Scuba store, there were instructors who showed an instructional video about Scuba Diving and discussed the rules. After getting everyone’s suits on, we headed out to the water with our air tanks and flippers. In the water an instructor tested that people could swim to the bottom and back up. Once everyone completed the test we all dived down and saw some interesting sea life such as coral, starfish, jellyfish, crabs, and fish. We were in the bay for about 3 hours and were tired when we came back. Roger got sick with the flu and had to go home. Overall it was a very fun trip and we saw some pretty cool things.

By Emily

The Venture Crew’s Halloween Party was on Saturday, October27th, 2012. We all came dressed up in a variety of costumes, some of which glowed under Gary Aden’s blacklights. The games we played were: find the M&Ms in the whipped cream pie, Mummify Mat and Mr. Frydenlund,and eating donuts on a string with no hands. The Giants were playing in the World Series and the game was interesting to watch. Another game we played was Apples to Apples. During the night there was plenty of good sweet food and fun things to do. In the end, the giants won one of the games and it was great to cheer on our home team. The night was full of fun games and we had a fun time.

By Emily

Yosemite was a fantastic trip filled with exciting adventures. As a crew we went hiking up to Vernal Falls. We saw a gorgeous valley and incredibly soaring mountains. Besides hiking we also went to a Native American exhibit. It was truly neat observing how they lived in their teepees. We then went to “Old Village”. It was fascinating looking at the old sidewalks that bordered the old town. Although the buildings in the little town were torn down or moved there was a church that has survived. It was truly beautiful. Later that night we had a burrito bar and two pineapple-upside-down cakes. The cakes were deliciously mouth watering, and the burrito bar was full of options that fulfilled the hunger of a thousand men. Later that night we went to Glacier Point. We saw a mass of haunting glittering lights that filled the valley floor and lay out under the diamonds of the night sky. We then were told folk tale of those pondering constellations that sat in the night sky. Yosemite was truly breathtaking, a weekend to remember.

By Cece

On the last weekend of September, Venture Crew 27 went to climb at Pacific Edge Climbing Gym in Santa Cruz. We climbed all day and had a few people make it up the Chimney quickly, a straight shoot up with few hand and footholds. After climbing, we went and camped at Henry Cowell State Park for the night and drove to Los Altos Gun Range the next morning. Kat, Christy, and Cece attempted to qualify for Ranger with Shooting Sports but were unable to make it; better luck next time! All in all, it was a great outing and one we should repeat soon.

By Kat

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. Atop a 30ft rock staring at the ice cold 40 degree abyss that awaits all those brave enough to take that oh so long, leap of faith. The rapids where unforgiving, reinforced by the requirement of cranial protection that sits on top of your dome. All those that grew up with a few screws loose, which we soon found out was almost everyone, rode on the front of the raft as if it were a bucking bronco and the 8 second water rodeo must be claimed for pride’s sake. Food fit for kings was begotten when night came; delicious foods sourced from lands far and wide, dumped so shamelessly into a cauldron of slop that would satisfy the taste of even the most Italian chefs. For all those who’s metal was not tested… a competition of swim was required…and past by all the green warriors of the clan. On this weekend…FUN WAS HAD! FUN WAS TAKEN!!!!

By Roger