Sound Waves
In 2005, two boys around the same age as my son at the time and from a town we had lived in just a decade before, died while on a school outing. The search for them was on the news for days. I was captivated. Being in Indiana at the time, I wasn't part of the local conversations, but i just didn't (and still don't) understand the lack of accountability by the trip's leader. For years after this happened, this man led dozens of school expeditions as though nothing had happened.
Over the next few years in a quest to do something - anything - I learned a lot about the outdoor recreation industry. It doesn't like rules and regulations. It is full of free spirits and nature lovers and individualists. I respect and appreciate people with these philosophies about life; I was of the Libertarian persuasion for years. Until I realized. We need rules in this country. We just do. Especially when they save lives. And especially when they involve children. Had there been the most basic of regulations around equipment and licensing qualifications, two boys with overwhelming potential might have survived this trip leader's lack of preparation and deadly decisions.
In 2011, I was lucky enough to see my son graduate from college, but I'm ashamed to say that it was also the last time I worked on this for Clay and Sean. Too many years have passed. I vow to work on this again.
In August 2007, a 63-year-old school bus driver in a suburb of Indianapolis left a 5-year-old child on the bus. The little girl slept for five hours before walking into school. She never expressed any fear and was fine. The driver was charged with Neglect of a Dependent, which is a Class D Felony. She was fired. Her license was revoked ending her long career. She was ordered to serve 100 days in jail (she was able to serve house arrest because she was the sole caretaker of her ailing parents) and was put on probation for an additional 445 days. She was also ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation and has to pay all fines and court costs.
In February 2005, an English teacher at Darlington School, a private school in Rome, Georgia, led an outdoor excursion during which he changed the course to one that required the kids to be in the ocean in kayaks and canoes. The only communication device was his personal cell phone, the water temperature was 58 degrees, numerous severe weather warnings had been issued, and he got not one parent’s permission. His decision killed two boys, Clay McKemie and Sean Wilkinson. Darlington’s attorneys showed up at the Florida church where families were awaiting word on the boys. Prosecutors decided not to prosecute.....
