intermediate program summer site : conversations : first session



	dan from connecticut (7/14) Dan is entering ninth grade and it's his third year at Explo. As a residential student from Connecticut, he's more than excited to be back for another summer of Exploration. He's a huge music fan and can dance "the Robot" perfectly. And -- after two weeks at Explo -- knows a thing or two about hip-hop dance too! So how’s being back at Explo? It’s been good. I like the courses I’m taking; “I Object!" and “Say Yes to Improv”. I like improv because I get to have fun . . . but in “I Object”, I get to learn something I like, and I get to feel adult-like. Is law something you’ve already taken classes on at school or is this something new? This is something new. Like, I kind of always liked the idea of being the big lawyer who came up and owned a witness and proves a case to a jury. So you guys are having your trials this week, right? What will your role be in the mock trial? Yeah, I’m in the prosecution...I’m interviewing a witness, Sean Hitchcock, who is the owner of the lake where the murder happened. And how is “Say Yes to Imporov”? So much fun. Cora [the teacher] is so fun and we get to have fun, and you don’t have to care what anyone thinks. It’s a safe environment. You don’t have to feel like “I’m being judged,” you know? Would you say that is Explo-wide or just a trait of that class? I think it’s at Explo generally, but especially in that class. Like, onstage we were doing some weird dances in the show, so I obviously have to feel comfortable. So it sounds like you like your teachers? Sounds like you like Cora a lot? Yeah she’s awesome. Phil, who teaches “I Object” is really cool, too. He teaches us, but in a fun way. He’s aware that we're kids and that we really want to learn, but that we also really want to get to that mock trial . . . us yelling in the courtroom and stuff. So what mini-courses are you taking? [Lets out large sigh and laughs.] My dad signed me up for “Hip Hop You Don’t Stop” . . . so at first, you know, I was kind of in the back of the crowd with my head down, like, “everyone-should-know-I-do-not-want-to-be-here”. Before we even started, I was like “ If everyone could listen up: my dad signed me up for this mini-course . . .” and then she [the teacher] was, like, “Oh, so you’re not gonna do it?” and I was, like, “No, I’m gonna do it” . . . so I gave it a try, and I ended up telling all my guy friends who play sports and everything about it . . . and I say, “Yeah, it’s really cool” . . . because, like, I’m doing dance moves . . . of course it’s kind of awkward . . . I’m moving my hips and my butt . . . but, again, it’s that safe thing. It’s cool to be able to have creativity. To dance what you want . . . dance what you feel. And it's good to try something new! [Laughs.] Yeah. I’m not much of a dancer. And then I have the basketball mini-course, which is basketball. My brother loves to play with me because he loves jumping up and denying me. What other hobbies do you have? I like playing pickup football and baseball with my friends. I like reading interesting books . . . books with twists and stuff like that. Hanging out with my bro. Are you really close with your brother? Really close. I love him, but he wants to trip me whenever he gets the chance. My brother makes fun of me because I listen to old music. I like the 80’s. I like Billy Joel. I guess one of my hobbies is listening to old music and then finding out as much as I can about it. So, you did the basketball weekend sports clinic today? Yes, I did. Five hours. I thought it was going to be a work out and then have time to play . . . but it was really a workout. It was interesting, because [the instructors] were all women, and I wasn’t accustomed to having a women coach coaching me. I learned so much. I learned where to play myself on defense, so I’m not just standing there. I learned different plays. I learned how to move my body better. I feel like I have more agility. I just feel better about myself in basketball, agility wise. What have you thought of the food? The food I’ve seen has improved much from last year. The food is less fast-foody. It’s more exotic, not like ratatouille, but like lasagna and different kind of things. I also like the options . . . like we have the freedom of having a salad or cereal or pasta . . . whatever they’re serving. What have you liked about Explo this year?? Joe (the program’s MC) is always a high-spirited guy . . . and I like this film festival thing. I like the big twists. I’m so sad that there’s only one week left. I mean, the options, the courses. It’s like school but you have all this freedom and you get to choose your subjects. What’s your favorite thing about Explo? I feel like my friends aren’t here to judge me or something. I’m a football player, you know, [and at home] you get that, like, “You’re a jock” thing. And here, I’m just here . . . I’m an average Joe. There are so many options. I get to, like, do silent reading, sign language, all these options. I’m, like, “Yes, I get to be free!” If I wanted to wear all pink, I could wear all pink without being called a girly-man. So much freedom, so much fun. What do you miss most about Explo when you’re not here? You should ask my dad. Oh, I miss Explo so much all the time. I miss my friends, I miss curb-ball, four square. Like, Joe up there [the Program MC], the twists. Oh, I miss everything. I miss the staff. I miss the fun. I always just think about it at home. I love the options. I remember the first day being, like, “I don’t know that kid, I don’t know that kid . . .” and by the end you’re, like, “I know that kid!” I’m just gonna miss this place a lot. Again, when I’m here, I’m, like, “football tryouts, what?” . . . weight-lifting and everything. It’s just like schoolwork: gone. You just feel free here, no stress or anything. How is this year different form last year? Last year, honestly, I enjoyed it a little bit better. I knew more people. Higher spirits. Like Joe (the program’s MC) is always a high-spirited guy and I like this Patty film festival thing. I like the twists. I’m so sad that there’s only one week left. I mean, the options, the courses. It’s like school but you have all this freedom and you get to choose your subjects. If Explo had a Mascot what would it be? Oh . . . that’s tough . . . something orange. Not a Kangaroo. Something weird. Not a possum . . . that’s just boring. Like . . . the orange monkey. Something that’s crazy and is not normal . . . but that is realistic. Or even a unicorn. An orange unicorn . . . that would be amazing. more conversations > first session \| second session