By Logan Schlossberg
Staff Writer
It might not be the most educational field trip at Mira Costa, but many would say the Friendship Circle Club’s annual Disneyland field trip is easily the most memorable. Once a year, the FC members spend a whole day with special needs kids and invite volunteers to visit the happiest place on earth.
On March 10, the Costa volunteers got the opportunity to experience a day they said they’ll never forget and introduce special needs kids to a day filled with excitement and fun. With souvenirs and churros galore, the Friendship Circle Club was easily the happiest group at the theme park.
“The Disneyland field trip is one of the days these kids look forward to the most. From the moment we get on the bus to the moment we get back home, the whole club is full of excitement,” said FC member sophomore Maggie Kells.
The Friendship Circle meets in room 114 every Tuesday and Thursday at lunch. According to its mission statement; the Friendship Circle organization “provides assistance and support to the families of children with special needs.” Friendship Circle Club is a minor branch off of the entire organization.
“The Friendship Circle Club is a great way to meet new people and build friendships with kids on campus. Room 114 is never empty during lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays,” said senior FC club President Jay Muller.
The volunteers chosen to attend the Disneyland field trip are considered the most dedicated by the club officers. These volunteers spend large amounts of their time in room 114 and around the school campus with the friends they’ve made through the club.
“For a while now, all the kids have been talking about the field trip non-stop. When I go to Friendship Circle at lunch, Disneyland seems to be the main topic of conversation, and it’s really great to see how excited they get,” said FC club member junior Michelle Bath.
The field trip started out when the kids, volunteers and teachers boarded buses to Disneyland. Everyone sported his or her club T-shirt, with the Friendship Circle logo on it, for the big event. The T-shirt kept everyone together as a group and served as a show of support for such a big organization.
“We really stand out with our bright orange T-shirts. I think a lot people take a second look when they see such a big group pass by and a lot of the time people will stop to ask what our club is all about,” said FC club member sophomore Emily Rogers.
The club split up into two groups when it arrived at the theme park, and each group had an adult or teacher chaperone. Every special needs student was paired with one or two volunteers and traveled through the park.
“Having a specific partner the entire trip really helps build stronger friendships within the club. No one gets excluded and everyone gets to have one close friend for the whole day,” said FC club member freshman Carly Muller.
After an hour or two at Disneyland, the entire Friendship Circle Club met at Pizza Port in Tomorrowland for a bite to eat. While everyone enjoyed his or her lunch and rested his or her feet, the club geared up for an all-time favorite ride: Space Mountain.
The kids were hard to catch up with when they ran to the line for Space Mountain. The members of the club were willing to do anything to try and make the time pass. Some were dancing and others were taking pictures, and it was obvious how excited they all were. After only a 25-minute wait and much interesting conversation, the FC club was ready to blast off.
“When the ride is over, everyone comes out laughing and smiling,” said FC club member junior Shane Sisson.
After hours of fun and excitement, the club gathered once more at the front of the park to head home. Everyone was bursting with laugher while telling each other about their favorite part of the day on the tram ride back to the bus.
When it was time to leave the happiest place on earth, the FC club members were all smiles.
“It’s a great feeling to see how excited the kids get,” said Sisson.
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