Our "service learning project" has been easy going and enjoyable, but I did in fact learn from this experience. When you first talked about bringing the elementary school kids to Walden, I was somewhat skeptical of how it would add to our experience. I imagined bringing my 5th grade brother to Walden Pond and realized that it could in fact ruin the experience. But, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience we had with the elementary school kids. It was simple, easygoing, but an experience that I will always remember.

When we first arrived at the school, I realized that this was the real thing. While walking through the front doors and seeing people staring at us, pointing and smiling, I felt like I was in "Waiting for Superman", except an added scene where high school kids like us helped these less fortunate elementary kids. The scene felt like it fit right into a documentary just like "Waiting for Superman". This feeling is something that I believe all high school students, especially the ones at Milton High School, should be required to have. The "service learning project" we did is a textbook example of what Milton High School should move towards for community service. I learned much more at this event then I would stacking cans at the food pantry.

My experience at Walden was enjoyable. But, like some of my classmates, I believe the atmosphere was not as we expected or hoped to find. When we pulled into the parking lot i was hoping that we were the only car there and have the true Walden experience. Instead, we were met with a sea of school buses and a loud group of younger kids. I also did not realize how much of a tourist attraction this site was. Th replica of the house, the huge signs, and park rangers barking orders at us gave me the feeling that I was walking through a packed museum. It was not until we were given the chance to walk around ourselves at the end when I began to feel transcendental. It was enjoybale becasue we had plenty of time, no specific sites to see, or any specific way back. We had the freedom to go where we want and stay where we pleased, which every high school student on a field trip enjoys. That was my favorite part of the field trip because that is what I expected going in to the Walden Pond experience.

In general, Walden Pond was an amazing experience. It is probably the best field trip I have been on. Not only because we went to a pond for the day, but because we were able to experience this feeling where we truly brightened someones day. There were pictures that were put up on Facebook today and while I was looking at them, I noticed that in every one, each high school student and elementary school student was smiling having a great time. This process of "service learning" is something that all high school students should have to do because it widens your views on the world around us.