Free Field Trip

My kids like to go grocery shopping because the store down the street has penny pony rides. Conveniently, they happen to have three mechanical horses by the checkout. The kids love to remind us to bring pennies if we’re going to the pony store. Last weekend (labor day weekend), though, the pony store was particularly interesting.

Some representative fire rescue men were setting up their trucks at the entrance, about to collect donations for muscular dystrophy in their boots.

My girls are not huge fire truck enthusiasts like some kids I know, but they are curious and interested, so we stopped to have a look. They see these things on the road fairly often, and I’ve talked to them about what they do. I know they must have wondered what they’re like on the inside. One of the back doors of the fire rescue vehicle (basically a red ambulance) was open, so I encouraged them to have a look, “but don’t touch”. Then, the man who was trying to put up the banner for their cause came around the corner and asked if they wanted to see inside.

All in all, they got to wander around inside the rescue vehicle, check out the inside of the fire truck, and even hold a fire hose. And all of the gentlemen were very friendly. One of them even told me if we ever wanted to stop by the station, someone would probably be able to give the kids a look around.

I had thought about taking them to the station some time as a field trip. A few people have suggested that, if they’re not busy, rescue teams will usually show a kid around and answer questions without a second thought. That seems to be the truth.

And once the kids were done taking turns with the fire hose, they got a call and had to load up and leave, lights, sirens and all. It was quite exciting.

Of course, we donated. Because we care, and because these men were admirable to a t.

What a nice day that was.