For nine young high school students and three of their teachers, spring break was a little bit different in 2007.  There were no cruises through the Caribbean or high end resorts, and not a minute of TV from start to finish.  Instead, we traveled 7825 miles through three flights to San Martin de los Andes; thus representing the first group from the ACS schools in what will hopefully develop into a longstanding and fruitful relationship with the Fundación Deporte Especial.

As the first group, there were a lot of unknowns heading into the trip. Nobody was quite sure what to expect in terms of what was to be done or what exactly the mission of the Fundación was. What was certain was that ten days were to be spent in Patagonia with special Olympic athletes from Argentina. Still, 12 people arrived the first morning willing and excited to find out what the remainder of the break would have in store for us.

What greeted us was a surprise, and surprise quickly becoming the theme of the trip. The morning of our departure several inches of snow coated lawns, cars, and roads in England.  A snow day break from school was unavoidable, making plans for the trip a little bit complicated.  Nevertheless, we managed, and got ourselves to the airport, starting a seemingly never-ending day of travel.

After the majority of the traveling was completed, but still before a bus ride and another flight, we discovered that nearly all of our luggage had not made the trip with us and was still somewhere in the Madrid airport, some 6300 miles away. Ten of the twelve were left without clothes and all of us were left without our tents.  Faith was put in the first of two Buenos Aires airports as we reported our lost luggage along with a long line of other travelers, but in the end we had to move on and continue on our journey. 

Finally in San Martín, quick thinking and creativity were used to accomadate for our setbacks.  We found a local hostel to stay in and made plans for backup tents if our bags didn’t arrive within a few days.  We walked to a grocery store and stocked up on the daily necessites that we lacked. The team got to know each other quickly as the two bags of clothing we did have almost immediatey emptied, students graciously loaning out what they had. The group definitely made the most of the circumstances, however.  The backup plans were hardly disappointing as we hiked up beautiful Argentine mountains, sun tanned at the beach, swam in a lake, feasted at a local meat restaurant, and had frequent pool competitions.  Looking back, it was almost a good thing that our bags got lost.  The time spent at the hostel gave the people on the trip a chance to bond a little bit before the camping and work began.

After a few days, the decision was made to move to the campsite. We were still waiting for our bags, but we were eager to start the tasks we had come to perform and even more eager to meet the people from the fundación we were to work with.  We could wait no longer, so we made the trip to the campsite and made arrangements for the backup tents to be delivered later that day if the bags didn’t make it.  To the great relief of all 12 of us, our luggage arrived at the campsite soon after we did.  Tents were put up and the camp site was prepared for the rest of the week.

   The kids from the fundación arrived that evening, each and every one making a striking first impression on the ACS group.  We played games to remember each others’ names, something that proved to be more fun than valuable for the athletes.  Names were only remembered much later in the week, after constant reminders.  However, this first activity with the Special Olympic athletes and other students from the disabled school gave a brief insight into what wonderful people the kids were. Each of them unique: not only having varying levels of disabilities, but each of them with their own personality, even their own style.  We were impressed with them from the beginning, but were continually amazed by them throughout the rest of the week.

   The next day, through football matches and the tasks set for us by the fundación, bonding with the kids truly began.  The pride they took in everything they did was touching.  They set an example for us by how hard they worked on their tasks, and we played very passionate football games.  Their individuality shone through more and more as we really found ourselves in their world.  We were at their campsite, their country, doing what they loved to do.  Quick to tell stories of their athletic triumphs around the world, help clear tables, saw wood, or give high fives all around for a goal, the kids were in their niche.  Seeing the delight on the kids’ faces was just as satisfying, if not more so, than completing the tasks. We became friends, working through the language barrier to tell jokes, share stories, and have a good time. There was a lot of laughter.

The first few days were spent in shorts and t-shirts, caring for sun burns and relishing the heat.  However, about half way through the week the weather produced yet another unexpected twist. It rained for over 12 hours straight, leaving tents flooded and all belongings soaking wet. As we met in the casita used by one of the leaders of the fundación to discuss how to deal with the water problem, we were left speechless as spectacular snow flakes began falling, in increasing size and rate. Both the ACS group and the disabled children were forced to move off of the campsite, but we were able to return each of the next two days so that we could finish the chores we had started.

Throughout the week a ditch was filled, tables were fixed, meals for the whole group were prepared, bathrooms were cleared and cleaned, a house was repaired and painted, and the foundation for a greenhouse was put in place. Teamwork and cooperation, within the ACS group and combined with the athletes, were key to our successes.  We had a ceremonial presentation of money the ACS group had raised with a staff-student football game and a barbecue prior to the trip, in order to buy new tools and better the campsite for future groups.  We did our best to improve the present and future situation for the kids and the fundación.  The fundación was openly grateful for our efforts, but I believe that the time spent with the children was equally important. We were also able to practice our Spanish, and learnt words we would perhaps have not learnt in a classroom – and, no, not bad words, but useful words like el martillo (hammer) pico y pala (pick and shovel) and elinvernadero y elgallinero  (the green house and the chicken run.)

However, the athletes gave us more than we could ever hope to offer them.  Lessons of work ethic were constant; Chano running laps after each meal and wading through the river in the snow while we were warm and comfortable inside, Nico quietly attending to all of his duties very cheerfully.  Lessons of friendship were also given; Ceci and . . . . the mothers of the group, always looking out for everyone and telling people off when they misbehaved; Chano, the leader of the group and captain of their football team, giving tips on how to give a better pass or more accurately cut the log; Arnolfo with his ear to ear smile never fading, Ezekiel and Cristian always looking for a game to play or someone to spend time with.  Even young Juan, with his fascination with the girls of our group, proved to be nothing short of a challenging obstacle, showing clear improvement as the week went on as he learned to behave politely and listen to his peers and leaders. It was a learning curve for Louise, who had to push him off her on more than one occasion since Juan had reached puberty and had absolutely no inhibitions. The disabled girls were wonderful, taking full responsibility for him after the first incident, always making sure that he was kept busy and behaved appropriately.

The last day spent with the children was emblematic of the spirit of the trip.  Gifts were presented, both from the disabled children to the ACS students and vice versa.  Hugs were given out, photos were taken, and memories of the week stored away.  As the children drove off on their bus tears streamed down several of their faces.  Both groups of people came away hugely benefited from the week spent together: the athletes renewed and positive, feeling appreciated and loved, and the ACS students left in awe of their Argentine counterparts, having learnt what being a good athlete, person, and friend is all about. 

Thus, many things were accomplished during the trip.  While many of our plans fell through or were improvised at the last minute, all of the tasks that we set out to complete were indeed completed and everyone involved took away more from the process of completing them than anyone could have expected. Ten days in the middle of February changed our outlook on so many aspects of life, as much was learned about disabilities, friendship, hard work, and happiness.