Morocco - Entry #7

This week as per usual we decided to hold a car wash. The other group had originally planned to hold a yard sale. The combination of ideas would benefit our cause as a whole greatly. If someone attended the car wash we could inform them about the yard sale and if someone attended the yard sale we could inform them about the car wash. We hoped the weekend would be extremely busy because it would be Memorial Day weekend, which meant a lot of tourists would be on Cape and especially in Hyannis. Although we were excited, there was a lot of preparation we needed to do before we could have a successful weekend.

This weeks meeting was fairly short. We discussed the idea again about the letter writing but didn't go into much depth about it. We also discussed how we needed help to organize and price all the objects in preparation of Saturday's yard sale. People were asked to volunteer to help out Thursday and Friday after school. Since lacrosse season was over by now I was available to attend both. After Friday everything was put together and seemed like it would work out well. We saved the final touches to be done on Saturday morning.

For Saturday morning we were asked to arrive at 7:30, which was much earlier than the normal 10 and maybe even the 9:30 time. Everyone felt a little pained to wake up so early especially with some of us coming from far away. We still did work tough work though and after counting we successfully raised a combined total of $1300! We finally surpassed $1000 for a fundraiser and hopefully we will continue to improve.

Morocco - Entry #6

The past was a success which could only lead to greater things for the trip and challengers. We started the week with an attitude knowing that raising $52,000 could be possible but it wasn't going to be easy. This upcoming weekend we would have our second car wash. Everything was set up but there were a few minor problems we had to take car of before the event started.

First was the effectiveness of our car washing. There were times when we would have to rescrub cars because soap dried or re-prewash because the water dried. We thought it would be more effective to only handle one car at a time. Also there was the problem that the cars were not getting cleaned properly or as effectively as possible. Mr. Newcombe suggested the idea that we start cleaning from the bottom up so we don't miss any spots and we rinse from the top down thus saving water. At the meeting we also practiced how to speak with customers. It is important that we get our ideas out there and inform them about our goals. The better informed and persuaded they are by our efforts the more willing they will be to donate. Also we thought about also creating a flyer to hand out to people as they wait, so this could also help us to spread our ideas.

The car wash didn't seem as busy but this week we reached a total of $938! This isn't a great increase but it's $43 more and any amount of revenue made is better than none. We are steadily improving and hopefully one day we can reach a goal of $1000.

Morocco - Entry #5

This past week we successfully completed our first fundraiser! Due to inclement weather we had to change the date of our car wash to Saturday May 15 from 10 am to 3 pm. The past week held a meeting to gather supplies and permission slips. The weather was expected to be great but there was the problem that not all the supplies were in yet. We would just have to wait and see if we could actually pull it off.

On the day of the car wash the weather couldn't be better. It was warm and sunny yet cars were covered in pollen making it perfect for business. I was skeptical but everything went better than I expected. Yes we ran into a few problems like a broken hose splitter and shortage of dry towels but thanks to the generosity of a couple parents we overcame these minor problems, which could have been worse. At least now we know how to perfect it for next time. We were forced to end early at 2 because we ran out of dry towels but our profit was still huge. We gained $895!

At the end of the fundraiser we gathered together and brainstormed. We thought about ways to make our next fundraiser even more successful and came up with a couple ideas such as selling snacks, a clothing line for towels, and maybe another hose. During this small meeting we decided we would have another car wash the following weekend at the same time (Saturday May 22). By the end of the meeting we all realized that the car wash didn't seem to be tedious work but actually fun. I'm sure everyone is looking forward to the next car wash and hoping to make a larger profit.

Morocco - Entry #4

This past week we had our first itinerary meeting. We were dismissed early from our previous class and meet as we usually would during lunch in Room 204. Through this meeting we discussed possible plans about what we could do on the trip. The majority of the meeting was spent by the World Challenge people explaining to us what we were the possible activities we could do. There were three main categories: mountain trek, camel riding, and service project. Once all the different types of treks, the camel riding journey, and service project ideas were explained to us we chose the most popular ones amongst our whole group.

We formed three different itineraries because of the size of our large group. Everyone wanted to do some sort of service project so we decided upon that to be included in each itinerary. Then there was a number of people who wanted to do a mountain trek so we decided two of the three groups would be set aside for one hard trek and one medium paced trek. Both are able to be done. This left the last option open for the camel riders. There was a small problem when too many people wanted to do camel riding but the World Challenge people convinced a number of people that mountain trekking was just as good if not better of an experience.

At the end of the meeting our three itineraries were settled upon and the groups for each seemed even. Although who is in which group is not final yet, the meeting was very productive and a big step towards the trip.

Morocco - Entry #4

This past week, we got business done. We held a whole group meeting to inform everyone at which stage we are on in our first fundraising project. Our group settled on a date, Saturday May 8th from 10 am to 3 pm. The car wash will be held at the Sturgis Parking Lot. We have decided to have no designated charge but instead will have a free car wash in which we accept donations.

During the meeting we confirmed a number of things. We compiled a list of the items needed. It was decided that if everyone brought in something as a donation then we would not have to compensate for any bought items. This would allow us to have a 100% profit. There was only one problem. The weather expected for the car was not supposed to be very sunny but rather stormy. Just in case we are forced to we scheduled a make up date. This was a big step for our team and it contributed largely to our growth as a team. After everything was decided upon we dismissed the meeting early and anticipated the day of the car wash.

Morocco - Entry #3

This past week the effects of the Morocco trip became real. The idea of a movie night was popular amongst the members of our group. We were not the only ones to think this was a splendid idea. Two other groups either supported or had the same idea. We became one large yet still divided group and decided to meet on Monday while the other three smaller groups became one large yet still divided group and decided to meet on Tuesday. Our group wanted the movie night to be held outdoors so it would be a different experience from going to a movie theater and watching a movie there. This would make the event original and more enjoyable thus making it more appealing and inevitably gaining more revenue to fundraise our trip.

It was not long before we began encountering problems. An outdoor event would be more enjoyable but also more difficult to plan. The basics of the event were planned. We remained in our small groups and decided which groups would be in charge of equipment, ticket sales, and media. It was not long before we encountered larger problems. We had to worry about problems that were beyond our complete control such as weather and people sneaking in which could cause confrontation. There was also the problem of locating a popular area to rent and if there was even enough time to establish all this before break because this upcoming week school will be out for Spring Break. We were faced with many decisions so we decided to meet a couple more times. I didn't really want to be there because I had to take care of some school related things during these lunches which couldn't be done after school due to lacrosse but I knew there were many things that had to be accomplished for the trip so I still attended.

At one of the meetings Mr. Fetzer brought up an idea which could and did affect all we've done so far. We must reach a deadline to accomplish one fundraiser in April and one in May. April would be coming to a close soon and Mr. Fetzer suggested if we didn't have enough time to properly carry out our plan of a movie night then we could always have a smaller and easier to set up fundraiser, like a car wash, this month and movie night the next month. This would meet our deadlines and requirements while raising us some money and giving us more time to plan out our movie night. So now we have decided to hold a car wash the week after break and work on the final details the week after break.

Morocco - Week One

After the first week I have begun to realize this is actually going to require a good amount of effort. I am actually more excited after we dispersed into smaller groups because everybody had a chance to express their ideas. Everyone has great diverse ideas to reach our fundraising goal. The important part is that they'll all be taken into consideration. I think all or most of the ideas were great and am excited to participate.

I believe I can contribute a lot to the group. My dad has three hotels on the Cape. While discussing about the Morocco trip with my parents he volunteered to let us use the location for a car wash, pool party, or any other ideas we may have, which are within certain limits. Also we don't have space for parties at our hotels but my dad does have connections with some other hotel owners on the Cape so it may be possible for us to receive a discount on available space for a party at a certain hotel. Also I play soccer, basketball, and lacrosse so if we have a sponsored game then I could participate in anyway.

When my small group meets on Tuesday I will continue to suggest ideas and help to implement them to make them successful. Also I am the scribe for my group so I will have to be keeping track of the notes. My favorite fundraising idea that I have heard so far is the scavenger hunt and haunted house. I believe both are going to require a large amount of energy and effort to plan and set up but will be not only successful but fun in the end.

First Morocco Trip Meeting

I signed up for this trip because I saw it required dedication and was a different way of earning CAS. In the end, after all my effort, I would be rewarded with an enjoyable once in a lifetime trip. From this trip I wish to learn how to help organize a large project and begin learning about CAS. Also I would to like become better informed about the culture, history, and now way of life of the country. Learning first hand is a different experience than studying it in textbooks.

I am very excited for this trip for a couple of reasons. First I would like to travel and explore a different country and culture besides one of my own heritage. Second this isn't going to be another vacation but a challenge in which I have the opportunity to do good especially in another country. I plan to contribute my ideas to the group to help with fundraising. I am also eagerly prepared to do anything from planning to actual physical labor to help the group reach our goal. I believe the year of planning, fundraising, and group activities to be a challenge on top of doing school work and sports but I am not outside of my comfort zone. I have learnt to become very comfortable with most to all of my classmates so if I will be working with them most of the time then I think I will be very comfortable.

I have some personal goals for myself. First I would like to contribute to the fundraising as much as I can. Second I would like to learn as much as I can from this. I believe the preparations leading up to the trip and the trip itself will lead to valuable life experiences. My parents volunteered to pay for my trip so I want put my focus on helping the group raise money. I thought Wednesday's first meeting was very useful. It was a good meeting that will get us started on the right path. I believe things will turn out great if we stay focused and work hard and efficiently.