Summer Camp 2025: Going Underground, Russell Square & The British Museum... Part 3!

Good Morning, London! Those cars were ordered earlier than necessary but Leo came up with a cunning contingency. Timings for the rest of the day were to the mark, the class was bang on the mark, my itinerary would workout fine. Russell Square and the British Museum would be the program, this plan ensured families had ample free time. Was I ready? Of course, I was ready, L!

Cars had been ordered, I couldn't gauge how long it would take two of my three families to reach the school from their hotel on that first morning? I did what I could and picked those parents and kids up, it was a little earlier than it needed to be but we live and we must learn. Those kids had the best morning having a second breakfast, getting their juice and biscuits for their lives. I did have a little bit of extra breakfast because why not? I had a lovely time running around the garden with three boys who had been staying in the nearby Southgate Hotel, the fourth family were on their way, their boy would be on time for class and that was alright. Thew weather was gorgeous and our fourth family arrived before class started, we had our schedule on course. Ziggy, Leo and Hyosun from the team at St. Joseph's kept the children and parents busy during the morning. All families were reunited, the morning class had concluded, it was almost time for us to head into town. The adrenaline had been going since 6 that morning, as I was high on life! 

Gathered and ready, I had my families follow in line and they were ready for the excursions planned. We headed to Oakwood London Underground Station, only an eight minute walk from St. Joseph's Foundation UK, the boys followed behind me like they were following the leader, it was very cute! I had all sorts of thoughts going through my head, what was I actually doing? Sure, I was grand guiding my way around cities such as Shanghai, New York City and Jakarta to name a few but with a paying group of families? I had confidence in myself, I got everyone on the Tube and the whole process excited the boys very much! One family had three generations travelling, I ensured the grandparents had their seats secured for the journey down to Russell Square. No, we couldn't have a private transfer because those London streets were not designed for coaches waiting on the corner! The Tube would be our daily mode of transport whilst I showed them London! The Piccadilly Line guided us right! OK! 

Stepping down onto that Tube platform at Russell Square made me feel sick, had I lost my mind? I put one foot in front of the other and tapped out of the station with my Oyster card. I carolled the children and parents as we walked along those London streets, I was living an absolute dream when I think about it one year later. The parents followed my lead, one family warmed my heart because they said they had trusted me to 'follow your lead'. I wanted to do my best for every family, there was an extra anchor for the family that had a child who would follow me from K2 to K3, my plan needed to be slick! The parents had some free time within Russell Square, our free tickets were flexible enough but I wanted to ensure the families also had their own time after our one planned activity. We had heard much about the squirrels at Regent's Park, they were something of a summer sensation for the kids! The Piccadilly Line didn't have any works going on but the summer temperatures weren't kind, it was getting hotter! Oh, LDN! 

Russell Square was busy, it was alive with the vibes of summertime with people doing the most! I corralled my group with kindness, I explained that our tickets for the British Museum started from 14:00 till 15:00. The family with two boys decided to take a breather because their kids were chasing the birds and they seemed like they wanted to take in the environment. Beyond my control, one family vacated to the nearest McDonalds because the square didn't provide toilets. When in doubt, look for the those Golden Arches! The third family saw mom flying solo once again, she offered me a coffee but to be honest I was fuelled by life at the moment, caffeine was not needed, respectfully. We agreed that we would all meet back in the centre of Russell Square before a certain time. It was easiest for us to stick together before the activity, whatever families wanted to do after was their own rightful choice. How was I feeling? You know, I was in my element guiding my own curated tour of London! Gradually, my fear had subsided a little! Yes!

Montague Street was serving Georgian period features, it was like the right part of London to show the family who had never been to England before! The other two families had both travelled to England before with educational stints in the previous decade. It felt like I had studied that part of the route intensively and for what reasons? I had no issues because I had done my homework and knew every single twist and turn along that boujee London street. It was an education to keep my pace slow enough but to not dawdle at the same time. I got the feeling that the Tube journey had been a surprise to some but each family had taken this trip for their children to enjoy and remember the English classes. Montague Street had been bossed, the end was in sight for that portion of the day. I just needed to get us into the museum as a party of eleven or so. I trusted in my own ability and knew that independently leading was not a bad thing because I was able to create my own tour culture! Looking back, I loved being the leader!

Time was absolutely on our side, I wanted to keep the day manageable for the children and the accompanying parents. The culture in China doesn't involve much walking, people can get cars from point to point in city that don't have the limitations like London does. Walking from the school, through Russell Square and down Montague Street to the British Museum was already something of a shock. London is not a city that can be experienced on a coach, I knew that starting off in a one attraction fashion for the first day would allow families to make their own evening plans and have enough free time. Shopping? I knew that the families wanted to buy gifts, to be honest they could buy things in souvenir shops after the program, in the evening or at the airport on the way back to China. We had a very limited time and needed to fulfil the plan, each to their own would be the theme because as one person, I had a lot to manage first of all. Anyhow, it was time to navigate around the British Museum and I had never been there before! 

There's nothing British about this museum but it has been a fascinating place for Chinese tourists to visit evermore. This museum for me as a British person is the biggest crime scene, harbouring stolen treasures and artefacts from British expeditions far and wide. The groups in my care were looking forward to see treasures acquired from China, it was a moment of apprehension because I didn't want those parts to put people in their feelings. I was high alert, I gave everyone their tickets as we made our way through the long security check, I was told my school themed flag could not be raised inside because it bore an organisation! I was hardly trying to indoctrinate those fellow museum-goers with ideals of a Ningbo based kindergarten? No, how ridiculous of such a notion! We weaved through the crowds, marvelling at the many different ruins from around the world, I loved the Egyptian relics. There was something to see from around the world, it was shocking really! All was going well, no bumps in the road. Let's move! 

Stepping into the light, the moment of realisation that I was at the British Museum was only when we were in the 'Queen Elizabeth II Great Court'. The visit to the museum was about three quarters done at that point. One of the families decided to tap out, the acting solo parent arranged to meet her husband, it had been a lot for her solo parenting. The family with my then current student were able to see the relics from several times period of China's past, the mother wasn't impressed with that loot! That family graciously dipped out of the group secondly as they had some shopping to do. I accompanied my flight family and we went for fish and chips, it was a nice touch to eat something more British since I was back in London! Myself and the flying family made our way back to the Piccadilly Line not long after our meal, Oakwood I needed! I had bossed my first proper day on the clock in London, it had been a great day with things to learn from. Class, Russell Sqaure and the British Museum had been bossed! I was a tour guide! 

British Museum, Done! 

Desperately Seeking Adventure