November 28th, 2011 signified the first day of the new BJCA EMT Academy. To kickstart the beginning of the course the EMT Academy students were taken to El Yunque Rainforest for a day of physical fitness, observing natures beauty of the only tropical rainforest operated by the U.S. Forest Service, and getting to know their new team members. Without hesitation they chose to hike to the highest peak of the Rainforest-3,496 feet! Some had never been hiking, most had never seen a waterfall, and none had ever physically challenged themselves in such a way as this. With their sack lunches and ponchos in tow, they began their day and summited the peak in 1.5 hours. These members started their day as classmates-and ended, soaking wet and exhausted, as teammates.