This week was the first official week of summer, and we kicked it off with a schooler* mission trip to Luling, Texas to build Personal Energy Transportation carts, or PETs. These carts can be pedaled by hand and give mobility back to someone who has lost it. It was an absolutely amazing experience. Over the course of only three days I watched nine kids transform as they grew more and more confident in their building skills, in their relationships with each other, and in their understanding of the justice God wants us to seek in the name of his kingdom.
On the last full day of the trip we went to Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels. At the risk of offending Texans everywhere, what follows is my reaction to the water park:
meh.
I had tons of fun hanging out with the kids, don't get me wrong. But water-park-wise I wasn't too impressed. I recognize that the park is lined up along the river in order to pump in water, but I found it hard to navigate. The east/west park set up was just weird, and there wasn't a lot of ride-type-variation.
Also, I think that the ambiance of the park has so much potential that isn't being tapped into. I mean, the German theme isn't the coolest, but if carried through could work. In my opinion, everything about Schlitterbahn seemed so random and full of advertisements that it just hurt to look at. They need to visit Disney's Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach and take some notes on theme. Those water parks take a single idea and expand upon it tastefully and well.
I say all of this because I know that Schlitterbahn regularly checks my blog to get ideas on park layout and theme carry-through.
Moving on...
This week is VBS, and I'm excited!
and just because I can:
[*the phrase 'schooler' is a loving and endearing term for a middle schooler. schoolers rock. seriously.]
