Veronica and Zach
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Hi, this is Veronica. This morning we got up and checked out of our hotel nice and early and headed for Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures. We saw lots of different animals there, from crocs to cassowaries. We hopped in a boat, equipped with metal grid and glass windows for protection against the croc’s massive jaws. Every once in a while, Andrew, our guide, would hang a chicken head out the front of the boat and the crocs would jump and claw for it. Which made for great shots. The boat was a frenzy of camera clicks and kids running from one side of the boat to the other trying to get a killer shot. I think I got a couple good ones. After the (life-threatening) boat ride, we went on a walk around the park with a guide to see the rest of the animals. When we started our walk we were greeted by a little swamp wallaby…
Video courtesy Tourism Australia
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Photo From the Plane
The Great Barrier Reef from the air, approaching Cairns
Benjamin and Elisabeth
Hi, I’m Benjamin. As soon as we all got up this morning, we boarded a bus to go to breakfast. We went to the Rainforest Habitat wildlife park, where we got to hold some pretty cool rain forest animals, like the carpet python, tree frog, parakeet, and crocodile. We learned a little bit about each of the animals too. For example we learned that the python could grow to be several feet long. The one I held was about four feet long.
Afterward we ate breakfast with the birds. The birds were flying around, swiping our food and drinking our juice, and sitting on our heads and shoulders. One even peed on my shoulder! It was all great–even the pee.
Adam’s, Grace’s, and Casey’s Blogs
The plane was delayed!!! 
Hi, I’m Adam DeSerio. It was great getting to meet the other kids at LAX in an awesome Private lounge! We had free food, and received a gift bag containing Aussie leather hats, and an Australian dictionary. Everything was going great till one of the hosts told us that our plane had been delayed till 2:30 a.m., and originally we were going to leave at 11:20 p.m. Most of us slept right there in the airport. When we finally got on the plane at 1:30 we were notified that we ONLY had 13 hours till we would land in Brisbane! It is really funny because the leather hats were made in Australia, were shipped to Los Angeles, then were taken back Down Under, and will eventually end up back in Los Angeles! Ha, ha–it’s great!
Welcome to the HOEC Blog
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.
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July 6
Today we will fly to Montana and meet each other in person for the first time!
July 7
In the morning, we will float down the Missouri River to learn about geology and history. In the afternoon, we will visit the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail to learn about the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Afterward, we will visit the fish hatchery at Giant Springs State Park. This park is home to the Roe River, one of the shortest rivers in the world!
July 8
Today we will visit the First People’s Buffalo Jump to learn how Native Americans stampeded buffalo over the cliff. We will also take a guided hike at the Pine Butte Guest Ranch.
July 9
Today we will visit a real dinosaur dig at the Two Medicine Dinosaur Center! The team will learn about fossil recognition and excavation procedures.
July 10
In the morning, we will take a boat tour of scenic St. Mary Lake in Glacier National Park to learn about the history and geology of the area. We will spend the rest of the day hiking the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park.
July 11
Today we will visit the Lodgepole Gallery & Tipi Village to learn the dances, drumming, games, and crafts of the Blackfeet Tribe.
July 12
Today we will take a tour of Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road in Red Jammer buses. We will take a hike on the west side of the park in the afternoon.
July 13
We will have a full day of hiking in Glacier National Park today.
July 14
We will spend the day at the Whitefish Mountain resort, where we will ride a gondola up the mountain and then hiking back down, as well as riding the Alpine Slide!
July 15
Today we will say goodbye and fly back home.
