Sometimes you need to take the “Can Dos” on a field trip thought Miss Sue, the recreation center director.

The “Can Dos” were bored, bored, bored! It was the first day of winter recess; it was too cold to play outside. The snow and ice piles behind the recreation center were taller than them and were blocking them from riding their sleds down the best hill for sledding in all of “Can Do” Street. The ice skating rink was covered with snow and off limits.

They were tired of playing games in the recreation center gym. Even Annie was tired of shooting baskets! They had been having play dates with each other since Thursday, and they were starting to squabble with one another.

Miss Sue was running out of ideas on how to keep them busy. When she saw Grandpa Dooley in the music room, she went in and asked for his advice. “The Can Dos” are feeling all cooped up. They are not interested in any more board games, or playing basketball or volleyball in the gym tomorrow. How about a field trip, but where to go in winter?”

“Hmmm,” said Grandpa Dooley. “How much money do we have in the budget for a field trip?” Miss Sue answered,  “We canceled a trip because of the weather so far. We can afford a field trip. What do you have in mind?” Grandpa smiled, “Just leave it to me,” he said. “You call the parents and get their permission for the trip. Tell them we have a field trip planned for tomorrow, and it’s a surprise. Ask them to hide their Can Do’s bathing suit and a towel in his or her bag”.

The next day dawned cold and clear. It was perfect weather for a field trip. When the “Can Dos” arrived at the rec center they were told to keep their coats and hats on and line up outside for a surprise field trip. Hector wanted to know where they were going. Kathy called out, “What are we going to do?”

When the bus pulled out, and the rec center faded from view, Grandpa Dooley announced their destination. They were spending the day at the Boy Scout Camp in the next town. Some of their parents would meet the bus there to help with the day’s activities.

The “Can Dos” looked at each other and then exploded with questions. The first question Grandpa Dooley heard, over all the yelling, was from Hector. “What’s so good about going on a field trip where we have to be indoors at the Boy Scout Camp?”

Grandpa chuckled. How does a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the woods, followed by swimming in a heated pool, followed by lunch around the fireplace with storytelling sound to you?”

First there was silence and looks of amazement, and then the “Can Dos” broke out with a roar of cheering about the field trip.