Can you say ROAD TRIP! On August 8th the HIKE SCHOLARS traveled to Mankato to be Matt's VIP Guests at Vikings Training Camp.

With three SCHOLARS in Mexico for the summer, one at camp and one sick our road trip consisted of eight SCHOLARS and five parents. The SCHOLARS were transported in style from West Saint Paul to Mankato in a luxury coach from Total Luxury Limousine.

The trip was kicked off by awarding the five HIKE SCHOLARS who had perfect school attendance for the entire 2006/2007 school year with $25 Best Buy Gift Cards.

To pass time we played a rendition of hot potato with toys, books or game. Each SCHOLAR was allowed to play with one of the items for ten minutes. At the end of the time period, they had to find a buddy to trade with.

After just over two hours of driving and multiple bathroom stops, we arrived in Mankato. The SCHOLARS were greeted by Vikings' Director of Community Relations - Brad Madson. Brad gave us all our VIP field passes and escorted us out on to the practice fields to watch the morning's practice and light scrimmage.

At the end of the scrimmage, the SCHOLARS were greeted by Matt and his teammates. The SCHOLARS met more players/coaches and received more autographs than they could count.

Matt spent nearly twenty minutes talking with the SCHOLARS about how their summer was going and all that lay ahead for the upcoming school year. Matt had to join the team for lunch and we needed to eat ourselves so we departed. The SCHOLARS were treated to an unbelievable lunch from the team from Famous Dave's Mankato location.

Just after 3:00pm we returned to West Saint Paul and our road trip came to an end. A special thanks to the Minnesota Vikings, Brad Madson, Coach Childress, Total Luxury Limousine and Famous Dave's. Without you, our road trip wouldn't have been possible.