Participants will study philosophers, historians, and novelists, such as Aristotle, Thucydides, and George Orwell. The program ends with a debate, where all students bring together two weeks of learning to defend or condemn a relevant topic.And that is just what they did. Their days were full of classes and activities. They started the day with Mass and then went to three classes with college professors- 1) Rhetoric, 2) Orwell, and 3) Thucydides. In the afternoon they did fun activities. One day they had a boat-making competition and put a teammate in the water to see if it would float.
They also played a lot of on-campus games, went bowling, and went canoeing-
They spent one day touring Boston, which Marc loved.
They had a big Fourth of July cookout day and went to the town fireworks show. They went to the beach in Maine twice, which was gorgeous.
And they learned a TON of swing dance and contra dance lessons. They had dances on the last two nights and had a ball. Marc learned a lot! He loved the classes and the students were excellent. They were children that have been raised in the way Marc has been raised. They had read the same books, been instilled with the same values, and liked to have wholesome fun. It was such a breath of fresh air.
The last few days they were broken into teams and had a large debate competition. They also went to the Byzantine Mass on Sunday and had Traditional Latin Mass on Fridays. The amazing thing about this two weeks is that it only cost us $40. It was the college's 40 year anniversary and they put on the program for $40 total- all meals and events and books, backpack, t-shirt, water bottle- everything was included. All we had to do was fly him up there.
He flew up there and changed planes in random cities all by himself. He is growing up! Sadly, he is not in any of these pictures. Even though I BEGGED him to take pictures with HIM in them- he did not take even ONE. Teenage boys. What can you do? I don't even have a picture of the campus or his room?! It's a mystery. :)
He flew from New Hampshire to Chattanooga, TN on Saturday and was picked up by Daddy from the airport. Daddy and Tucker were already at Fraternus Ranch in rural Tennessee, which started that day. This year it was in a new location that was PICTURESQUE! The views were first class-
This year I told Marc to really focus on sweet Tucker as it was his first time to go! (Maybe he focused too much- the above picture is the only one with Marc Jr. in it). Tucker has been waiting to be old enough. He had the time of his life!
This year's big highlight- an awesome wave pool! All the boys said this was a favorite!
Tucker did a SO WELL on the high and low ropes courses! So proud of you, buddy!
He loved the big zip line-
Paintball!! Tucker's first time for paintball- he loved it!
He learned a lot of new card games that we have been playing at home-
Gaga Ball, of course-
One day, Marc and Marky went white water rafting on the Ocoee River. Tucker is too young so he and the younger boys went to the White Water Olympic Center where they were able to swim in some deep water natural river pools formed from the flow of the Ocoee. It was apparently awesome and everyone thinks we should all try it.
Of course the center of this annual summer father/son event is Holy Mass and adoration. They had beautiful, reverent Mass every day and had plenty of time for confession and adoration.
I thank God for the opportunity for these men and boys to come together and have wholesome fun and encourage each other in personal holiness.
Julia went for a day-long trail ride on Saturday. She rode under bridges, through streams, through a tunnel where she had to duck down- it's all fun and adventurous. When they got back they were flying around the barrels.
Oh- and here are a few pictures I was sent of Tucker at Catholic Kids Week earlier this summer.
While the boys were gone and Julia was at youth group water wars, I took Charlie and Anastasia to the science center. We had such a great time.
My sweet Charliebear LOVES to build things. He has great patience.
Homeschool books are arriving daily. Here are Marky's history books this year- he will read all of these.
Beautiful Feet Books had a big sale for their d'Aulaire books- I love these. And we are doing American History this year so it works out great!
Speaking of books, we just had to get ANOTHER book case. We had a computer desk between the two shelves, but we needed more room. We bought the third shelf and Marky put the entire giant thing together all by himself. He used his own tools that he got for Christmas.
Friday evening we finally went to our gym pool. It is such a nice pool, but I never wanted to go unless I had both older children with me. :) We had dinner and popsicles on the pool deck and stayed all night. Daddy met us and we all went down the water slides.
Anastasia is SUCH a water baby! She loves, loves, loves her little Mambo seat and will float around happily for ages. :)
Can I just say how much I love summer? We have played tons of card games as a family and the boys are always playing chess. They make their own boards out of Magnatiles. They made this one and played with their Playmobil knights. They also made a giant Magnatile board and played with their stuffed animals. We have time to read aloud every day and pray on the porch after supper. Thank you, Lord, for these happy days.
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