Day 5: Education and Music

Today we ventured to Bland Elementary, Middle, and High School. We were able to observe classrooms and interact with some of the students. We were involved with everything from working in computer labs to helping out at the book fair to playing with the youngsters on the playground. The kids that we worked with at Bland Elementary were some of the cutest kids we've ever met. Helping out at the book fair and working with them in the classroom was very rewarding and some of the kids even want us to be pen pals! We also talked with the principal who was very nice and told us about the school and what it's like to go to school in Bland County.

After we arrived back to camp, we ate a delicious dinner (hamburgers and snickerdoodles!!!) and headed out for some great southern-style rock music played by Pastor Alan and his other band members at Central Church. The drive to the church was very beautiful and we got to see more of the area and farmland surrounding Bland.

The music was wonderful and the band played many different types of songs from country and bluegrass to rock. The four men in the band were funny and were happy to tell us about their lives in Bland and about the lifestyles of the people in Bland County. It was very interesting to be able to learn more about Bland through the eyes of the locals and what makes life here unique. All of the men (and all of the other people we've met here) love the area and wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Overall it was a great day and we're excited for tomorrow!

-Keslie and Diana