Cherry Gulch Travels to Peru

Ask anybody what their bucket list is and I bet Machu Picchu is on most of them. I know it's something that I would give up chocolate to see (and I really love chocolate). So when the idea started floating around Cherry Gulch that a trip to Peru would be a great opportunity for our students, I jumped on it right away. It took months of preparation and planning. We even ran into a few unexpected twists and problems along the way, but when I actually stood and looked over the ancient ruins of that amazing city, it took my breath away. At that moment it was all worth it. What I didn't expect was to have another part of the trip mean even more to me.

The day after making the journey to Machu Picchu, the students, staff, and families with our group of 29 went to a school located about two hours out of Cusco. The drive was filled with hairpin turns up a mountain and the air got thinner and thinner as we finally reached an altitude of 13,500 feet. We were prepped beforehand on the poverty of the area, but it still felt like we were stepping back in time hundreds of years ago to what I had imagined people lived like back then. There was almost no running water, no electricity, and the "just modernized" toilets consisted of a grate over a hole in the ground.

As soon as we arrived, these adorable little Peruvian children came running down the hill in bare feet, greeting us with cries of "Gringo! Gringo!" They had us pause before rounding the corner of the school and line up single file. As we turned the corner, the music started up and confetti was thrown in the air all around us. On both sides of our line were children waiting to put streamers in our hair and around our necks. I have never seen such bright smiles in all my life. After many greetings, pictures, speeches, and singing, the students all played soccer together. It was amazing to see our students and theirs bonding over a game that spans all language barriers. We then presented the children with a sweatshirt each, a new volleyball net, two volleyballs, a soccer ball, an ink cartridge for their one copy machine, and of course� lots of candy.

A few days later I was waiting in the airport with one of the students who had a separate flight home. We were tired after traveling almost all day and we were just sitting there quietly. This particular young man doesn't open up very often to adults and is fairly quiet. I asked him, "What was your favorite part of the trip? Machu Picchu was sure amazing� the food was awesome too, huh?" He smiled and said, "Actually, I think I liked the school best." I was so proud of him for that answer and I know it wasn't because it was what I wanted to hear. He truly meant it from the heart. I know this experience will stay with them for the rest of their lives because I know it's touched me for the rest of mine.

Cori Pontious
Cherry Gulch Science Teacher

Cherry Gulch is a ranch-style, therapeutic boarding school designed specifically for 10 -14 year old boys. Cherry Gulch's supportive, encouraging and respect-based approach is designed to build students up-rather than tear them down. Cherry Gulch is passionate about providing early intervention and prevention to help boys reach their full potential and become well-rounded, pro-social young men.