The 2018 LACC Spring Retreat (by William)

“Honk!  Honk!”  Yay!  Our bus was finally here!  After spending about an hour in the courtyard at LACC, our late bus was ready to take us to the OC Music & Dance.  The OC Music & Dance is owned by the SCCC (Southern California Children’s Chorus).  LACC kids were going to meet SCCC kids today.  We re-formed into our chaperone groups.  I found out that I was in Group F.  Our group boarded the bus last so I had to sit next to a girl.  Her name was Sarah Lee.  She gave me a talkie as a truce treaty.  After that, I just stared at the scenery outside of the window.
 

Time really passed by!  We arrived at the Studios in a flash.  When we met up with the SCCC kids, we were asked to introduce each other.  I chatted with a boy named Leo.  I also asked him who Bena was.  Bena is the daughter of my mom’s coworker.  We met each other two years ago at a birthday party.  I would see her again as one of the SCCC kids.  During our break time between warm-up and the clinic with Ms. Carol, I said hello to Bena and introduced myself.  I included that we met at a birthday party.  She replied that she didn’t remember me at all.   I gave her a gift capsule with two animal erasers, and she said thank you. 

(Photo from SCCC website)

Soon the clinic with Ms. Carol began.  Ms. Carol is a close friend of Ms. Landis.  We sang O Jesus Be Our Friend and Guide, An den Mond, and Al Sholsha for her. She said we need more expression in the songs. The SCCC also sang for her. She said they need more focus. After the clinic, both choirs sang a mini concerts to each other. We sang the Jasmine Flower song, Seal Lullaby, and The Merry, Merry Heart. The SCCC kids sang a bunch of humorous western songs.

We then had to leave for our next stop, the Santa Ana Zoo. I said goodbye to Bena and boarded the bus again. Yes! We are now in the zoo. The zoo manager led us to the lunch area where three animals were waiting for us. I quickly devoured my two sandwiches and met the animals. There was a python, an armadillo, and an owl. The python was coiled around a zookeeper’s neck, the armadillo kept trying to crawl around, and the owl was flying in circles.

When lunch was over, Ms. Landis bought us tickets for the train ride. The train chugged along at 3 miles per hour. We passed a duck pond and the geese kept squawking at us. A bunch of kids got excited when they saw a person blowing bubbles. The train entered the tunnel. The tunnel was full of noise. Hammers pounding nails, screwdrivers winding in screws, and electricity buzzing through wires.  After the train ride, we paraded into our chaperone groups again.  We decided to go in a maze, which I got lost in.  I tried several times and finally found a way out.  By then, many of my group members were already waiting for me.  Suddenly, we heard a screech.  Our group wanted to investigate.  We rushed past a bald eagle named Sprit and stopped in front of an exhibit with a few monkeys in it.  Here were all chattering loudly at each other.  One swung from a vine onto a platform.  Another crawled onto a tree branch.  The monkeys were very, very active.

About 30 minutes later, Ms. Landis gathered us at the zoo entrance.  She said it was time to leave and with that, she ushered us all onto the bus. When we were on our way back, I discovered that I didn’t eat my cheese string and a banana.  I gave the banana to Max and the cheese to Angle.

Finally we arrived back at LACC.  The chaperones gave us candy and I spotted mom.  “Did you have fun,” asked mom.  “Of course, I did, of course.”  I replied as we walked to our car together.  Through this trip, I now know my LACC friends better.  I have been to the Santa Ana Zoo before.  I feel going with LACC was more fun than going with my dad.