They by far were the most immature group we have had in the five years. On the two hour ride down to the college they talked about each other, slapped one another in the back of the head and I had to tell them over and over to calm down. When we got to the school, they chased each other, wrestled on the grass and had a difficult time listening to our tour guide. LeRoi Simmons (the other adult who went on the trip) and I became so frustrated with them after a number of verbal scoldings we grumbled that we would not take this group on another trip this year. Rev Simmons and I complain to one another through out most of the trip.

Then I had encounter that help change my perspective on the entire trip. As I walked through the social hall on my way to the dorms I saw a familiar set of eyes peering at me under a hooded jacket. I had on a winter hat that covered most of my face and I could see the person trying to get a good look at me. When we got closer I realized that it was a pair of eyes that I have seen many times before and watch those eyes grow up from the time they were eight years old. It was Ramon from our neighborhood. Ramon had played on our basketball teams since he was little. I have coached and mentored him, his older bother and his older cousin. We hugged each other and slapped five for several minutes. Ramon was in his first year at Morgan State and on his way to class. He told me he applied late and just got in and didn’t have a lot of time to tell everyone that he was going to school. I told him that it was cool and that I was proud he is in college. After Ramon went on to class I remembered how bad Ramon was when he was growing up. He talked about everybody’s mother, sister, girlfriend and more. He caused so much trouble that on a few occasions I had to suspend him from the team. Ramon went on many trips and tours with us and I watched him mature and become a responsible young man over the years.

The encounter with Ramon reminded me of why we take these trips. Most of the boys we work with don’t have their father actively involved in their lives and have never been outside of Philly. So we are simply doing what their fathers haven’t done for one reason or another. Our guy’s untapped potential is so great that all they need are positive experiences and support to see the opportunities before them. If Ramon can make it, then surely this group of young men can. Each one of them thanked us when we dropped them off and were already looking forward to the next trip. So we decided that we would take them on more trips but first we need to spend more time with them.