The sound of car doors closing echo throughout the parking lot as students leave for their fall break. Some may go home and play games with their friends. A few might sleep for a majority of the weekend. But not ITS. In just a couple hours, they are going to Vala’s Pumpkin Patch. 

For many years now, ITS has gone to Vala’s as a group to have fun and get to know each other better. This year, members met at campfire 32, enjoying snacks and going off with friends to enjoy all the exciting things Vala’s offers. 

“When I went to where the campfire was and there was the big group, at first it was kind of nerve wracking because I didn’t really know a lot of them, but it was a really warm and welcoming environment,” junior Jenna Mclain, first time ITS member said. “[ITS] went to take a group photo, and I kind of stood off to the side because it was my first time, and I was like, ‘I probably shouldn’t be in it,’ but they all like pulled me over and were like, ‘get in here!,’ and I was like, ‘Oh, ok,’ so they were very welcoming.” 

The officers of ITS did a great job of including new members and making sure they had fun. Older members had a lot of fun as well. Vala’s offers many different rides and attractions, and a lot of the members, new and old, had a great time.

“We went on the hayrack ride and kind of explored. We had our own campfire with a bunch of hotdogs, we had marshmallows, and just a bunch of different treats. We just kinda walked around and explored and had fun,” Junior Alice Gifford, long time ITS member said. 

The ITS trip to Vala’s is a great way for new members to meet people, and get to know their officers and other troupe members. 

“We do it early in the year just so the troupe can kind of get to know each other and so we can all bond and become close as a troupe and get to know each other,” Gifford said. “We went on a hayrack ride, we got to pick pumpkins and stuff, and we took photos. We all just kind of hung out and it was super fun.”

The trip to Vala’s is often one of some members’ favorite things the troupe does throughout the year. It is a night of fun and a great bonding experience for the troupe as a whole.

“It was really fun, there were a lot of people there. It was a good environment, and a good vibe overall,” Gifford said. 

But, all good things must come to an end. Vala’s was closing soon, and people began shuffling back to their cars. Food was packed up, and friends said goodbye. The night of fun was over. 

“I was kind of sad that it was over. I didn’t want to leave,” Mclain said. 

And next year, it will happen all over again. All the fun, all the hotdogs and marshmallows, and new members that will have fun just like this year’s new members, thanks to the help of existing members and the officers that make ITS such a warm and welcoming environment.