Montana

The senior high mission trip to Montana was probably the highlight of my summer.  Most kids say that the best part of their summer is what time they spent at the beach or some other vacation spot.  We had that huge group of kids going out west so I knew from the start that it would be an interesting trip.  Interesting almost doesn’t cover it.  We all had our share of frustration, love, joy, peace, happiness and gratitude.  Montana was absolutely gorgeous!  Just being out and about set you at peace.  I worked with the kids for at least a little bit every day.  I just fell in love with the children on the reservation.  I would go back to those kids in a heartbeat.  The Crow children seem to have had to grow up all too quickly because of their home situations.  I distinctly remember two things that the kids said to me:  one was said by a little boy no more than four years old, what he said put me in awe that a small child like that had to worry about things like that.  What this little boy said (his name is Hunter) was, “Can I please have two snacks so that my mommy has something to eat today?”  I just think that is horrible for any kid to have to worry like that for their mother, father or any family member.  The other thing that sticks in my mind is when a little girl named Nina asked on our first day with them, “How long are you going to stay?”  When she saw my face and saw that it wasn’t going to be long she asked hurriedly, “will you ever come back?”  Now what do you say to a ten year old when they ask if you will ever come back?  All I could say was that I wanted to and I was going to try my best to come back.  Leaving the kids there was the hardest thing I ever had to do.  Working with the kids showed me a lot.  One of the main things was to be thankful for what you have and to make do with what you have. -- Meghan

Kim Norris makes balloon animals for the kids.

The guys help build a fence around the Boys & Girls Club.
 

The Indian children made paper chains at Kids Club.

 

Our last day at the Crow reservation was spent with the community for dinner and a program--with the guys cooking!

 

This was the whole group on our first day in Montana.

Would you like to know more about Glade Run's senior highs -- the SWAT team?  Click here.