High School Students Return to Philadelphia After Storm Delay
Philadelphia, PA – It was a day filled with relief and happiness as about 30 high school students from Girard College finally made their way back home after being stranded in Asheville, North Carolina. The students were out in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains enjoying a camping trip organized in collaboration with the North Carolina Outward Bound Program. But things took a turn when Hurricane Helene decided to make an appearance, making it difficult for their planned return.
A Journey Cut Short by Mother Nature
The campers had left for their outdoor adventure a week ago, full of excitement and anticipation. However, the group, which included 31 ninth graders along with a teacher and two resident advisors, soon realized their return trip was going to be more challenging than expected. Initially, they were scheduled to return on Friday, but as the weather worsened, it became clear they were not going to be back in time.
On the bright side, the school kept parents updated on the situation. There was initially some confusion and concern among families when they learned the trip wasn’t canceled despite the approaching storm. Girard College later explained that they had many discussions with Outward Bound and made the decision that they believed prioritized student safety while giving the adventure its best shot.
Safe and Sound
Finally, on Wednesday morning, Girard College announced that the students were on their way home! They had successfully made it from their base camp to downtown Asheville, where a bus was waiting to take them back to Philadelphia. A statement from the school noted, “All the children, as well as the faculty and residential advisors who supervised the trip, are safe and in good spirits.” What wonderful news!
Grateful Hearts
The return was made possible thanks to the hard work and dedication of various partners, including the North Carolina Outward Bound School and emergency response teams in Burke County. Girard College expressed their immense gratitude to everyone involved in the safe transport of the students. They also took a moment to thank the parents for their patience and support during this stressful situation. It’s never easy waiting when your kids are out there in the storm!
Continuous Communication
Amid the potentially scary scenario, the communication lines remained open. Parents were kept informed about the efforts being made to ensure the kids were safe. Many families, though concerned, appreciated the transparency and the dedicated planning that went into securing their children’s well-being amid the chaos of Hurricane Helene.
A Lesson Learned
As Hurricane Helene left a trail of destruction across various states, ranking among the deadliest storms, the experience has left parents and school officials reflecting on future trips. While outdoor learning is an excellent way to grow and learn, safety will always come first. As for the students, this trip, filled with adventure and recent challenges, will surely be one they won’t forget anytime soon.
Coming Home
So, as Wednesday rolled on, the anticipation built up in Philadelphia. Friends and families awaited the students’ return with open arms, ready to recount their tales of adventure and the unexpected challenges they faced along the way. All in all, it was definitely a story of resilience and community spirit in the face of adversity.
When they finally arrived back at Girard College, there surely were tears of joy, laughter, and plenty of hugs to go around. After all, nothing compares to the relief of homecomings, especially after an unexpected detour!
