European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 8, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A boat bearing american German and czech pupils on a Field trip travels on the main Danube canal. Multiple lessons american German and czech pupils learn about Birds rocks and one another by Ron Jensen. Nurnberg Bureau Ocks Birds castles and Friendship were the keys to a Field trip for nearly 400 Grade schooners recently. V and of course education. Most of the students were americans from the Graneri Wuhr elementary school but several came from the German school in Barna and the Grade school in Tkachov the czech Republic both partner schools with Crafe Wohr. The pupils along with 150 adult supervisors took a 12-bus Convoy to the bavarian state Falcon station in Rosenburg Castle above the town of Ziedenburg. The students then invaded a Crystal museum in the town which houses the world s largest Mountain Crystal. This Lovely Stone weighs 7.8 tons and was found in 1981 in Western Arkansas. Following that the children boarded a ship for a 10-mile ride to Selheim on the main Danube canal in the heart of the Alt Muhl River Valley. The canal connects the main River and the Danube. Quot it s a lot of work but it s Worth it Quot said Elfriede Kean the Host nation teacher at Crafe Wohr and the moving Force behind the trip. Prior to the Field trip last week the children studied what they would see including Birds of prey castles and various Stone formations such As geodes and crystals. Kean kept the trip s destination a secret for a Long time realizing clues on the school s intercom system. Quot it has to do with Birds that Are endangered she said As one clue. Another was Quot what is a lock in a River Quot since the boat ride included passing through a canal lock. There were five clues in All and Kean said they accomplished her goal. Quot i had the kids so interested they were dying to go a she said. That made it easy to get the necessary Parent chaperones. Quot you get the kids interested and the parents come automatically Quot said Kean who has been organizing such trips for 1.3 years at Crafe Wohr. When the Day for the trip arrived the group had Good Fortune on its Side. A morning  to reveal Blue skies and warm Sunshine. Quot there s a saying in Germany when Angels go on a trip the Sun is shining Quot said Kean. Quot so you know what we  at the Falcon station the travellers saw Falcons eagles and vultures respond to a handler s wishes. Falcons would soar into the Clear sky and make a beeline return to the Trainer s gloved hand. At one Point in the show there were several Birds flying from handler to handler their wings sometimes brushing the squealing children. Quot they were neat Quot said Matthew Essig 7, a second grader. A. A. A a. A. Quot they almost hit me Quot said Tomas Rodriquez 7, also a second grader. The Day suited Chris Essig just Fine. Quot disguise education with a Little laughter and excitement Quot said Essig Matthew s father and a trip chaperone. Quot it s a great program Quot Tammi stocks another Parent chaperone agreed. Quot it s exciting to see them get excited about something they learn in   friendships May have been made among the 45 germans 42 czechs and american pupils during the Long Day of fun and learning. Quot they Ike it and they like the partnership program Quot said Rudi Kunz a teacher from Barnaul a town near the czech Border. He said the schools pupils get together about three times a year. Libuse Vav Rykova the czech teacher said her students shared the bus with some americans and spent the ride teaching each other How to say Quot Good morning Quot and other Short phrases in their two languages. Her students she said like to have Contact with the american students. The Field trip and its result were perhaps Best summed up by Kean. She said Quot this teaches them More than any Book we  a swooping Eagle makes spectators Duck As it Heads from one handler to another at the bavarian state Falcon station. At left Drivers children and chaperones Milt around their buses during the Stop at Rosenburg Castle. Students touring a museum in Ziedenburg reach out and touch the world s largest Mountain Crystal. Host nation teacher Elfriede Kean makes sure All Are aboard for the canal cruise. A amps photos by Ken George