junior program summer site : conversations : first session



	Billy from the Virgin Islands (7/07) Billy is entering the sixth grade and it's his second year at the Junior Program. He caught our eye when he shouted "39 vollies!" at his Tennis workshop. You are most likely to find Billy in an athletic facility, but not an ice rink, because, as he says, "I'm from the Virgin Islands!" What did you do yesterday? Yesterday, I went to the Carnival Night. I dunked Shane the first time, and that was fun. He got mad but it was fun. [laughs] Then I tried to make Scott laugh [at the "Make Scott Laugh" booth], but that didn’t work at all. I also played some of the arcade games. I got a little bit of cotton candy and I went on the bounce house. Sounds like fun! Tell me about your courses. I have Explo Isles which is really fun, and Lego Engineering which is so awesome because we can make things move just out of Legos, it’s so cool. Why did you choose these two in particular? Well Lego Engineering because I’m not really good at Legos and because I like engineering and stuff like that. And I chose Explo Isles because I live on an island and I wanted to see if they were right or wrong. And so far they’re pretty accurate. And what about your workshops? My workshops are Tennis and Basketball for Boys. I like them. And I play both of them at home. What’s been your favorite activity so far? Kickball. That’s my favorite sport in St. Thomas, too. And I’m really good at it, too. So I take it you love sports? Yeah. Baseball’s my favorite. How did you find out about Explo all the way from St. Thomas? Well, the son of a family friend came here about two years ago. And because we’re really great friends with them, my mom heard about Explo. So we went on the website and I said “Oh, that looks pretty cool.” I saw a photo of the giant beach ball that they have at the final party on the last day, which looked really cool. At the final party, they also have a giant parachute that all the students go in and then all the staff go in. There were also photos of a lot of friends. And making new friends is the best part about Explo! What are your other favorite parts about Explo? How “Exploman” came to save Tim and now there’s a Darth Vader dude. [Explo likes to incorporate characters into its everyday life.] What would you teach if you were an instructor here? For a class, I would teach Zap, electronic engineering, because I’m interested in engineering. For the workshop, Baseball for Boys or girls, I don’t really care. And the activity that I would lead, Bombardment, which is like a dodge ball game but with a jail that you can only get out of if you catch the ball. Do you have any advice for people considering coming to Explo? Make new friends! What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in the past week and a half? Again, to make new friends. And also that people are respectful of one another here, so pay attention to that. What are 5 words that best describe Explo? Awesome, “beast,” fun, the best place in the world, and playful. More Conversations > First Session \| Second Session