Welcome to the HOEC Blog

Posted by 2008 Kids Expedition Team in Hands-On Explorer on July 7, 2008

Welcome to the Hands-On Explorer Challenge trip blog! The departure
date for the Kids Expedition team is around the corner, on July 16.
That’s when 15 kids and two teachers, all winners of the contest,
fly to Australia. During their 13-day expedition to Queensland and
Tasmania, they’ll snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef, get up close and
personal with koalas, learn about Aboriginal peoples and their culture,
talk with Aussie cowboys, meet Tasmanian students and plant trees for
their joint project to save the Tasmanian devil, and more.


Right
now team members are busy planning for the trip, figuring out what
to pack, reading up on the places they’ll visit, and participating in a
variety of fund-raising activities to earn money toward helping save
the endangered Tasmanian devil.

Please return to this site often to read
expedition reports from the kids as they explore the exciting culture
and natural history of Australia.

Tags: ,
Categories: Australia

Comments

  1. afoswim12
    July 11, 2008, 12:45 pm

    Hey it’s Abbie,

    I can’t believe we are actually going to Australia in less than FIVE days!!! I’m not sleeping well either. Every time I plop my head down, it gets filled with exciting and unforgetable adventures that lie ahead for us!

    I can’t wait to meet you guys!!

    -Abbie

  2. criccia
    July 13, 2008, 11:46 am

    molto carino il sito :)

  3. Strawberry
    July 14, 2008, 12:04 pm

    Who’s going to Australia, anyway? It has no travel appeal to me or any one I know. But hey, if you want to go to Australia, go to Australia.
    Peace out,
    Strawberry Shortcake

  4. TXMama
    July 15, 2008, 2:45 pm

    Congratulations and Bon Voyage to the 2008 Explorer Team. You are in for the trip of a lifetime!!! I am a parent from the Africa trip and believe me, you will never forget the next few weeks!

    TXMama

  5. Hava
    July 15, 2008, 5:48 pm

    Hey Abbie! This is Kat, I’m not sleeping either! I am just so darn excited! Can’t wait to meet you guys, you sound like awesome peeps!

    Kangaroos are my homies.

    -Kat

  6. jggirl
    July 15, 2008, 6:25 pm

    Hi everyone … it’s Meghan. I went to South Africa last summer w/ NGS-Kids and it was one of the best experiences of my entire life. I saw and did things that I will never forget, and I made lots of new friends. Have a great trip (wow 13 days), and take a lot of pictures with that new, awesome camera you got. I wish I could join you!!!

  7. cbortles
    July 15, 2008, 6:35 pm

    Best wishes for a wonderful adventure, 2008 team! I am looking forward to reading your blog and learning of your adventures. I am proud of the adventure you are undertaking as kids concerned about our planet.

    -C.Bortleson

  8. simpson
    July 15, 2008, 9:55 pm

    Hi Everyone,
    This is Caitlin. I was on the team when we went to S. Africa last year. You are going to have so much fun like I did I bet. Everyone from National Geographic is so nice. You must all be excited. Is Mike H. on this trip? If he is call him Chum and tell him Chumette #2 says Hi. Is Annie your photographer? She takes really good pictures. If she is say hi for me and say hi to Dana, Melina, Sara and Catherine too (if they are there). If you get to see a platypus that’s awesome. Have a great time!
    From, Caitlin

  9. 4ever4thgrade
    July 15, 2008, 10:14 pm

    While I especially want to wish Savannah and Kelly a BON VOYAGE, I wish the best to all of you adventurers. This is an opportunity of a lifetime and I am thrilled each of you has grabbed it and are moving forward. I look forward to hearing about the ups and downs of travel; the excitement of discovery; the perils of friendship, in short, ALL OF IT!

    BON CHANCE!
    Ingrid

  10. Amazinggrace
    July 15, 2008, 11:43 pm

    Hey, everybody!

    It’s Grace. I am so excited! I can’t sleep. I can’t believe that tomorrow we will have our flight to Australia, and we’ll finally meet everybody! Can’t wait to see you,

    ~Grace

  11. Gobbldygook
    July 16, 2008, 11:53 am

    Elisabeth–

    You’ve probably left for your flight to California, but I had to write something. I hope you have an AMAZING trip, and enjoy everything! Have fun with everybody! (you lucky gal!!) Make sure to take lots of pictures, okay?

    Love ya,

    Luci

  12. elisabeth
    July 16, 2008, 1:48 pm

    Hey Luci!

    I am at the airport! We fly to Chicago, then LA.
    I will take LOTS of pictures!

    I will be thinking of you!
    Elisabeth

  13. auntpeg
    July 16, 2008, 2:19 pm

    Hello Misha:

    I am so excited for you and all the kids. Everyone at my work is following your trip. Have a great time.

    Aunt Peg

  14. Maya Papaya
    July 16, 2008, 3:00 pm

    Hi everyone!

    It’s Maya from the 2008 expedition! I can’t wait to see you all soon! I am so excited! Congrats to all of you!

    Your fellow explorer,

    Maya

  15. CousinPeter
    July 16, 2008, 3:23 pm

    Hi Adam & Susan!
    As I write this, you’re probably at the LA airport and meeting all your new friends. By the time you read this, you’ll be on the other side of the planet!! Get some sleep so you’re ready for your big adventure!
    Love, Peter :)

  16. SheRussell
    July 16, 2008, 4:20 pm

    Hello Misha!
    Have a fabulous time in Autstralia. I’m excited to see hear about the adventures you experience along the way on this blog. Tell your mom hello for me, and don’t get into any boxing matches with those kangaroos! –Sheila

  17. Grumgrum
    July 16, 2008, 4:39 pm

    Hey Adam…

    We are with you in spirit.
    Have a glorious trip and marvel
    at all of God’s creation.

  18. Colorado Cousin
    July 16, 2008, 5:47 pm

    Hey Slug-Kisser Maya – have a wonderful trip – we’re thinking about you!
    Bridget, Creed and Conor

  19. kklabrador
    July 16, 2008, 8:22 pm

    Hey Everyone,
    I bet you guys are so excited to go to Australia!
    I have ALWAYS wanted to go there! I hope you update the blog often and send lots of pictures! And by the way, do you guys know where the 2009 expedition is to? Haha, you don’t have to tell me, I’m just curious.
    Once again, I hope you guys have an amazing time, I bet it will be the experience of a lifetime!

  20. Mrs. D
    July 16, 2008, 9:04 pm

    Hey, Mr. S
    Hope you are having the time of your life!

  21. corvettelover
    July 16, 2008, 9:47 pm

    Hi Missy,
    I miss you already! And so do your pets! I’m wishing you and dad all the best on your adventure. I know you’ll have a great time and take LOTS of pictures. I can’t wait to see them cause I know they’ll be great! Have a great trip.
    Love Mom
    P.S. You better not purposely miss your return flight home… LOL

  22. Grannie Annie
    July 17, 2008, 3:36 pm

    How exciting we are for you, Savanna, and your team! PaPa and I will eagerly wait for each daily blog of your adventures. Hello to Kelly, too! We’ll take special care of Roxy and Ruby.

    Grannie Annie

  23. corvettelover
    July 17, 2008, 4:47 pm

    Hi Missy
    It’s MomMom. Missing you already… it’s too quiet here without you, even the animals miss you (I have to keep the bedroom door shut because of them…) Hope you have a good, safe trip. I can’t wait to hear from you as often as possible.
    Love, MomMom

  24. Belle
    July 17, 2008, 5:43 pm

    Hey Casey. I am being good, sorta . I have learned to howl and have only chewed one of Moms good chairs. Wow, squirrels are neat!! Love, Belle
    PS, the whole gang says hi–kiss a Taz for me

  25. pdourian1
    July 17, 2008, 7:59 pm

    Hey Adam and Susan! It was such a thrill to see you at the airport last night with your fellow explorers! Thank you for including me and mom in the festivities. We miss you already. Have a fantastic time! I can’t wait to see all the pitures, and hear all the stories.
    Love you, Paige

  26. swampee
    July 17, 2008, 11:03 pm

    Hi Dan and Mara
    Kiki, Tucker, Kola and Katie miss you, but not as much as me. I know you are having the best time. I am well and enjoyed a wonderful rain early this morning. The relatives will be with me tomorrow night and we will blog at you some more.
    Love Mom

  27. Bensmom
    July 17, 2008, 11:23 pm

    Hi Guys! We are anxiously awaiting the first reports from down under! Hope you were able to sleep on the plane!! Lots of love from PA!

    bensmom

  28. Uncle Dan
    July 18, 2008, 9:41 am

    Hey Maya Papaya! (and Meg too!)
    Have a great time Down Under! Take lots of pics and watch out for all of those snakes!! Say hello to Crocodile Dundee!!

  29. harleycat
    July 18, 2008, 11:59 am

    Hi!

    I have entered the Hands-On Explorer contests since the first one! (no luck) But you guys sound like a fantastic group to go and I am glad you all won!

    Have an AWESOME trip!
    It will be a trip of a lifetime!

    Good Luck!!! =) :D

  30. NOMIE
    July 20, 2008, 11:56 am

    Hey, Mr.S :
    I hear you’re having a great time–even scuba diving,too!! That’s fantastic! We’re all living vicariously, so enjoy, enjoy, enjoy . . . and take care.
    Love, nomie

  31. critter creek girl
    July 21, 2008, 12:20 pm

    Hi,
    My name’s Maria. I went to South Africa last year with NG. It was so much fun, I can’t believe it was real! This Saturday I am going to Australia with my family. Maybe I’ll see you in the airport. If Mike Hauthaues is on the trip tell him chumette #3 said hi.
    Maria

  32. Natrain
    January 28, 2010, 9:56 pm

    Hey Is going to see that

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