12 Questions

We asked everyone on this trip to answer twelve questions about the experience. The different answers really show how each person learns and grows in their own unique way from this trip! See individual answers following. The twelve questions were:

1. What was the most interesting or educational of the sites we visited and why?
2. What was the least interesting site we visited and why?
3. The thing about this trip I’ll never forget is:
4. Everyday I looked forward to:
5. I got tired of:
6. It was a “bummer” when:
7. A “pleasant surprise” was:
8. If you could go back to a site on this trip THIS summer and show it to your family, where would it be and why?
9. What did you pack or bring that you did not need at all – should’a left at home?
10. What did you NOT bring, but wish you had?
11. What about this trip would you change (considering only realistic, reasonable changes)?
12. What part of this trip should NEVER change?

Ben P.
1. Most interesting: The Needles Highway - We got to climb on the fun rocks.
2. Least interesting: Corn Palace -It wasn’t very informational or fun
3. I’ll never forget: having fun with all my friends all across the country.
4. Everyday I looked forward to all the fun activities of that day.
5. I got tired of washing the dishes.
6. It was a “bummer” when all the mosquitoes attacked us.
7. A “pleasant surprise” was when Ms. Littlejohn’s relatives joined us for part of the trip.
8. If you could go back to a site on this trip THIS summer and show it to your family, where would it be and why? Definitely Yellowstone because it was so big and there were many fun things to do there.
9. What did you pack or bring that you did not need at all?
My rain poncho because every time it rained we got in the vans or under a shelter.
10. What did you NOT bring, but wish you had? Maybe a little extra cash.
11. What about this trip would you change? I think we should have had a campfire every night.
12. What part of this trip should NEVER change? Having the kids cook their own meals.

Claire C.
1. Most interesting was the Mammoth site because you could see the stuff in the ground and it had the posters and stuff to show it all. It showed the sinkhole and all.
2. Least interesting site we visited was the Crazy Horse monument because it wasn’t complete and it was boring. The movie was boring. Also Corn Palace because I thought it was ALL going to be made out of corn and it wasn’t. It was just walking around and it wasn’t anything really interesting – just some corn on a wall.
3. The thing about this trip I’ll never forget was meeting people I didn’t even know went to our school, and seeing things I didn’t even know existed – like half the things on our itinerary – Devil’s Tower, Grand Tetons, Crazy Horse, Corn Palace, Wall Drugs, and The Badlands I had never heard of before.
4. Everyday I looked forward to seeing something new and not being stuck in the tent.
5. I got tired of setting up the tent and putting it down and riding in the van SO much.
6. It was a “bummer” when we kept having to go in the vans the first night when it stormed because we had been riding in them all day. And when we went horseback riding and it got rained out.
7. A “pleasant surprise” was making s’mores – and meeting Brant Littlejohn.
8. If you could go back to a site on this trip THIS summer and show it to your family, where would it be and why? Evan’s Plunge because it was amazing!
9. What did you pack or bring that you did not need at all ? A poncho because we weren’t even outside in the rain – we were under a pavilion or in the van.
10. What did you NOT bring, but wish you had? I wish I had had a second pair of shoes because mine got soaked. And, I wish I had had a fan and a heater.
11. What about this trip would you change? Some time to just sit around and not do anything, and not go to Crazy Horse because you can see it from afar.
12. What part of this trip should NEVER change? Having it! And Ms. Littlejohn leading it.

Daniel S:
1. Most interesting of the sites we visited was Mt. Rushmore because one- the movie was really cool, and two- I thought it was very interesting that they have that big hall of flags. It was just really cool.
2. Least interesting site we visited was Wall Drug – we didn’t get much time to look around, and even though I did buy a souvenir for my brother there, it just wasn’t that interesting.
3. The thing about this trip I’ll never forget is going to the mammoth site because seeing those giant mammoth bones and other prehistoric animals was really cool for me cause I’ve loved paleontology since I was four.
4. Everyday I looked forward to doing something new and exciting.
5. I got tired of certain members of our group being annoying.
6. It was a “bummer” when we didn’t get to go horseback riding the first two times and when I got eaten up by mosquitoes. And, when Claire’s horse kept “cutting the cheese” on mine.
7. A “pleasant surprise” was Ms. Littlejohn’s son, daughter-in-law, and grandson came to see us.
8. If you could go back to a site on this trip THIS summer and show it to your family, where would it be and why? Evan’s Plunge because I know that every member of my family, especially my siblings, would love to go there because it was so much fun.
9. What did you pack or bring that you did not need at all? My rain poncho- once it rained I was usually under a pavilion or not out in the rain.
10. What did you NOT bring, but wish you had? More socks, and a fan.
11. What about this trip would you change? Go to some more new places like Wind Cave and Jewel Cave.
12. What part of this trip should NEVER change? Going to Yellowstone.

Doug O:
1. Most interesting of the sites we visited was the Mammoth site because there were so many interesting facts that I learned, like how the mammoths got there from a sinkhole and why they were all males.
2. Least interesting site we visited was Crazy Horse because we didn’t get close to it and after 61 years they have only carved the head – it’s not even finished.
3. The thing about this trip I’ll never forget was meeting new friends and seeing all the attractions again. (I’ve done this trip before.)
4. Everyday I looked forward to seeing something exciting and not riding in the van all day!
5. I got tired of riding in the van all day and all the mosquitoes at Flagg Ranch after how many pounds of bug spray. And I got tired of washing dishes and setting up the tent and taking it down.
6. It was a “bummer” when we were gonna go horseback riding but got rained out, and then we were gonna go again but we got winded out, and then when I thought we were going to the St. Louis arch, but we didn’t.
7. A “pleasant surprise” was having s’mores and having a really good horse named Tank. Also, meeting Jeff, Mary, and Brant Littlejohn.
8. If you could go back to a site on this trip THIS summer and show it to your family, where would it be and why? Mt. Rushmore because it was interesting and Evan’s Plunge because it was really fun – and I didn’t go down the big slide at the beginning and then the girls forced me to and I loved it!
9. What did you pack or bring that you did not need at all ? A poncho, a toboggan cap.
10. What did you NOT bring, but wish you had? A heater
11. What about this trip would you change? More time to watch for wildlife and go somewhere besides Flagg Ranch because of the mosquitoes there.
12. What part of this trip should NEVER change? Having Ms. Littlejohn plan and lead this trip for so many years.


Eduarda L:
1. Most interesting: Mt. Rushmore, because I’ll never forget the presidents’ heads on the rocks.
2. Least interesting site we visited: Crazy Horse - Because it took so long to build and wasn’t finished, and the nose was all crooked.
3. The thing about this trip I’ll never forget is Rachel going “Woooooo, It’s Devil’s Tower!”
4. Everyday I looked forward to what we were going to do or see.
5. I got tired of loading and unloading the cargo van every day or so and getting kicked off the air mattress.
6. It was a “bummer” when we didn’t get to go horseback riding the first times and when it rained so much.
7. A “pleasant surprise” was meeting Brant Littlejohn.
8. If you could go back to a site on this trip THIS summer and show it to your family, where would it be and why? Evan’s Plunge because it was REALLY fun!
9. What did you pack or bring that you did not need at all? My Northface – I used my hoodie instead.
10. What did you NOT bring, but wish you had? A fan and a heater.
11. What about this trip would you? Not go to Crazy Horse.
12. What part of this trip should NEVER change? The adults – I like having them along.

Eric D:
1. Most interesting of the sites we visited: Mt. Rushmore. It was very interesting how they carved the faces and how much they look like the real person. Also I learned a lot about the monument in the little museum.
2. Least interesting site we visited: Crazy Horse Monument - Because it is just a copy of Mt. Rushmore but for Indians.
3. The thing about this trip I’ll never forget: Seeing two moose.
4. Everyday I looked forward to: Getting my passport book stamped and learning about the monuments.
5. I got tired of seeing so many deer.
6. It was a “bummer” when I fell off my horse while horseback riding.
7. A “pleasant surprise” was when Ms. Littlejohn’s son, daughter-in-law, and grandson came and met us on our way to Badlands National Park.
8. If you could go back to a site on this trip THIS summer and show it to your family, where would it be and why? Yellowstone National Park because it is so beautiful and there are so many landmarks and wildlife.
9. What did you pack or bring that you did not need at all? My reading book.
10. What did you NOT bring, but wish you had? Nothing.
11. What about this trip would you change? Stop going to Cabela’s because it wasn’t necessary.
12. What part of this trip should NEVER change? Swimming in Evans Plunge and going to Mt. Rushmore.

Emily G:
1. Most interesting of the sites we visited was Mt. Rushmore because it was pretty amazing and it was a good experience.
2. Least interesting site we visited was Crazy Horse because I don’t think there was really a point to it – I didn’t really get it.
3. The thing about this trip I’ll never forget was all the people that I met.
4. Everyday I looked forward to food!
5. I got tired of not being able to go horseback riding and putting up the tent.
6. It was a “bummer” when we didn’t get to make ice cream ever!
7. A “pleasant surprise” was meeting Brant Littlejohn.
8. If you could go back to a site on this trip THIS summer and show it to your family, where would it be and why? Evan’s Plunge because my mom would scream and my dad would do a cannonball!
9. What did you pack or bring that you did not need at all? Nothing, cause I pretty much used everything.
10. What did you NOT bring, but wish you had? More money, a flashlight, and a heater and a fan – and a swimsuit!
11. What about this trip would you change? Skip going to Crazy Horse, wish we would have gone swimming more.
12. What part of this trip should NEVER change? One, that Ms. Littlejohn leads it, another, that we get to do most of the work because we’re independent, so we can learn for the future.

Rachel D:
1. Most interesting or educational of the sites we visited was the mammoth site because they told us a lot of facts and I was very interested.
2. Least interesting site we visited was Crazy Horse because I wasn’t impressed with the progress.
3. The thing about this trip I’ll never forget was Devil’s Tower because it was great! It was very large.
4. Everyday I looked forward to sleeping.
5. I got tired of waking up in the mornings, setting up my tent.
6. It was a “bummer” when it rained every day.
7. A “pleasant surprise” was meeting Brant Littlejohn.
8. If you could go back to a site on this trip THIS summer and show it to your family, where would it be and why? It would be Evan’s Plunge because my whole entire family would enjoy it. Even my parents.
9. What did you pack or bring that you did not need at all ? A rain poncho.
10. What did you NOT bring, but wish you had? More clothes, a fan, and a heater.
11. What about this trip would you? Stay only at a place that has showers, and not a pot hole toilet.
12. What part of this trip should NEVER change? Having Ms. Littlejohn run this trip and doing the trip yearly.

Rashaad D:
1. Most interesting or educational of the sites we visited was probably Old Faithful because I’d never seen one (a geyser) before and I got to find out how they worked.
2. Least interesting site we visited was probably the Mammoth Site because I was kind of bored there – I wasn’t really interested in that. We got to do a lot of better stuff.
3. The thing about this trip I’ll never forget was probably the horse back riding because it was a first for me and I did well.
4. Everyday I looked forward to was going to sleep at night because I was tired!
5. I got tired of putting up the tents and taking them back down.
6. It was a “bummer” when the first two horseback rides got cancelled, when my sleeping bag got wet.
7. A “pleasant surprise” was Evan’s Plunge (where Steven and I did better than others on the rings.)
8. If you could go back to a site on this trip THIS summer and show it to your family, where would it be and why? The horseback riding because I want them to experience it with me! It was the prettiest ride.
9. What did you pack or bring that you did not need at all ? My poncho and I only got my fan out twice.
10. What did you NOT bring, but wish you had? More money!
11. What about this trip would you change? Not go to the mammoth site.
12. What part of this trip should NEVER change? The camping!

Scott B:
1. Most interesting or educational of the sites we visited: Mammoth site because somebody actually explained stuff to us
2. Least interesting site we visited: Crazy horse because it was only a head
3. The thing about this trip I’ll never forget: Mount Rushmore
4. Everyday I looked forward to seeing new things
5. I got tired of Eric and Ben singing
6. It was a “bummer” when Steve McNair died.
7. A “pleasant surprise” was when I found my phone after I lost it.
8. If you could go back to a site on this trip THIS summer and show it to your family, where would it be and why? Yellowstone because it was awesome
9. What did you pack or bring that you did not need at all ? Sunscreen
10. What did you NOT bring, but wish you had? Better camera
11. What about this trip would you change? The amount of people (less) and items (people brought too much stuff)
12. What part of this trip should NEVER change? Yellowstone

Sean A:
1. Most interesting or educational of the sites we visited: The Badlands. No question. Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Monument show a lot of pictures about the place before you get there, but you could see the Badlands in hundreds of pictures before you get there, and still be amazed at the site. It is the only place so amazing that I forgot to breath. It was amazing. The Badlands of South Dakota are truly amazing. Truly awesome. Truly a site to see.
2. Least interesting site we visited was….. Probably Crazy Horse, because it was a little monotonous – the museum was amazing, but the actual monument was a little boring because you see what it is going to be but when you get down to it you only see the head and some marks where the horse is going to be. I think it is going to be really cool when it is finished, but my least favorite.
3. The thing about this trip I’ll never forget – this whole trip, because everything here is completely new and I’ve met a lot of new people, never gone camping for this long. I have never gone this far north, never dreamed of seeing Mt. Rushmore, didn’t know Crazy Horse existed. Seeing the mammoth site was cool and Evan’s Plunge was really cool too.
4. Everyday I looked forward to whatever we were going to do that day – I was excited by anything and everything we did on this trip.
5. I got tired of sitting in the car with Steven and Rashaad and listening to Daniel’s complaining.
6. It was a “bummer” when didn’t get to go horseback riding the first time and when Uncle Tom’s trail was closed.
7. A “pleasant surprise” was meeting Jeff and Mary Littlejohn and Brant.
8. If you could go back to a site on this trip THIS summer and show it to your family, where would it be and why? The mammoth site and Evan’s Plunge. Evan’s Plunge was unlike anything I’d ever seen before and had never thought of a rock bottom. It was amazing to see all the mammoths.
9. What did you pack or bring that you did not need at all? All the winter clothes.
10. What did you NOT bring, but wish you had? A travel chess set.
11. What about this trip would you change? I would not go to that really bad campsite – Wilson State Park – because the tall grass itched and there were all sorts of spiders, and the bathrooms had more cockroaches in the toilet than there were in the trees.
12. What part of this trip should NEVER change? Seeing the sites and going to Custer State Park – the best campsite we went to.

Steven F:
1. Most interesting site we visited was the Mammoth Site because you got to learn how they got there and why they were all male.
2. Least interesting site we visited was Crazy Horse because it wasn’t finished.
3. The thing about this trip I’ll never forget is the places we went.
4. Everyday I looked forward to seeing something new.
5. I got tired of the car rides, the temperature (hot and cold), unloading and loading the van, and cleaning.
6. It was a “bummer” when it was always raining and the road construction.
7. A “pleasant surprise” was seeing some of the wild animals
8. If you could go back to a site on this trip THIS summer and show it to your family, where would it be and why? Mt. Rushmore because my family’s never been there before and it was neat.
9. What did you pack or bring that you did not need at all? An extra jacket – I had two.
10. What did you NOT bring, but wish you had? A pillow and a fan.
11. What about this trip would you? How short it is – it should be longer so we could see even more places.
12. What part of this trip should NEVER change? All the places we went

Will G:
1. Most interesting or educational of the sites we visited: The geysers because there were so many so close together
2. Least interesting site we visited: Corn palace, I just thought it was boring
3. The thing about this trip I’ll never forget was my Switchblade Comb (souvenir)
4. Everyday I looked forward to: Going to the next place, seeing stuff
5. I got tired of: Setting up the tent, Putting it up, setting stuff up in general
6. It was a “bummer” when: We had to leave places so fast and didn’t get time to stay, and not climbing more of the Badlands
7. A “pleasant surprise” was: Getting to climb more at the needles after not doing tons at the Badlands
8. If you could go back to a site on this trip THIS summer and show it to your family, where would it be and why? The Needles, because the climbing was so fun, some of the views were amazing, and there was so much and it was awesome. Might not be what people expect as one of my favorite places, but it was awesome
9. What did you pack or bring that you did not need at all ?
Poncho, 2 swim trunks(not just 1), extra clothes
10. What did you NOT bring, but wish you had?
More to entertain for the car, Sharpies, stuff like that
11. What about this trip would you change? More time at stops like Wall Drug and Badlands and Needles, etc…
12. What part of this trip should NEVER change?
The places we go to.

Will W:
1. Most interesting or educational of the sites we visited: Devil’s Tower. It was interesting to read all the theories behind how it was formed.
2. Least interesting site we visited: The Badlands. The view was awesome, but when we started to climb around, it started storming, so we had to leave early.
3. The thing about this trip I’ll never forget: Seeing a Grizzly Bear ten feet away.
4. Everyday I looked forward to: Whatever we had planned for that day.
5. I got tired of: 10 Hour Car rides.
6. It was a “bummer” when: Our Horseback riding got cancelled twice.
7. A “pleasant surprise” was: Catching a lot of fish.
8. If you could go back to a site on this trip THIS summer and show it to your family, where would it be and why? Yellowstone, because they so many different things.
9. What did you pack or bring that you did not need at all ?A poncho
10. What did you NOT bring, but wish you had? A laser pointer
11. What about this trip would you change? Stay at campsites that all had nice restrooms.
12. What part of this trip should NEVER change? The sites we visit.