Amelia participated in the summer band camp through the school this summer. That means she went to band camp each morning for two weeks and ended the whole camp by performing in the Grand Old 4th of July parade in Pasco. The school district bused, fed the kids breakfast and lunch, and provided instruments the entire time. Amelia really enjoyed herself and even asked if she could move her Camp Ghormley time to July so she could go to band camp the entire time. (We couldn't change it but she only missed 4 days.)
Now the parade took her by surprise. She came home the first day saying, "Did you know the parade is 2 miles long?" I told her I did, but I didn't want that to discourage her from trying. :)
Because Amelia plays percussion we weren't sure what instrument she was going to be given. She started with cymbals but since she was gone four days and she was worried about carrying the cymbals for 2 miles she switched to maracas. She did a great job in the parade, but it was long, hot and exhausting. It ended up being 2.7 miles. Not sure if she will be in a parade again but it was a good experience for her.