Tales from a Trip to Ellis Island

When I was a young boy in Cub Scouts, we went on a trip to a major league baseball game. I remember standing outside the stadium taking in the sites, when I looked around to find that the rest of my group was gone. I was taught that in that situation you should just stay just where you are. An adult will eventually backtrack their steps and find you. If you go wondering off trying to find your group, you may become very seriously lost. It worked - I stayed where I was and within a few short minutes an adult leader returned to get me. That left me with the sense of accomplishment at doing the right thing when tested that I still remember to this day.

We recently went on a trip to Ellis Island in NY city with three adults and several children. It was a crowded and noisy trip through NY city to get there, part by subway, so it occurred to me to remind the kids about what to do if they get separated from the rest of the group. I got everyone's attention for a moment, and asked the kids "does everyone know what to do if they get separated from the group?" They all looked at me with that expression that young teenagers use when adults ask them ridicules questions ( which in their mind probably covers most questions that adults ask them). One of the kids final spoke up and answered "Well yea - you call your parent on your cell phone...."

I felt a little older and crotchety at that moment.