Well it is now after midnight in Atlanta and everyone is in their hotel rooms and quiet. The day was a great start to what will be a fantastic journey. Everyone is excited for what’s to come, but tired right now.

Today was spent getting to know each other and what they are about to experience.

Everyone arriving today made it to Atlanta on time and we began exactly at 4 PM, all according to plan. They got started right away meeting each other (even without our prompting – probably a first!) and based on first impressions they are a great, fun and friendly group!

After a brief orientation and overview, the staff ran a few icebreaker games to help the teens get to know each other a little better. From there we headed out for some good pizza and salad, to fill our stomachs before heading back to watch a movie called “The Journey”. It was made by a young Jewish man who after college decided to journey across America interviewing powerful people (CEOs, politicians, entertainers, etc.) about the advice they would give the younger generation for a successful life. It is a great way to really get at the theme of the trip. After the movie ended, the group received a surprise visit from Eric Saperstein, the man whose journey the documentary is about. He led a discussion with the kids about what it means to go on a journey. Then we headed to the hotel to rest up for a big day around Atlanta tomorrow.