Horrible weather stranded a group of Bermuda High School students and their chaperones in Philadelphia for a few days.

Twenty-four girls and four chaperones were due to fly home Saturday morning after a weeklong ski trip in Vermont. However hurricane force winds which have plagued Bermuda over the past week saw their flight cancelled. The group learnt at the airport check-in that the earliest they could return to Bermuda was today.

Teacher Sarah Wheddon said the girls had made the best of their time. "We have been stranded here since Saturday after our US Airways flight was cancelled due to Bermuda's high winds. Several students have been homesick but we are trying to make the best of the situation. We have been sightseeing in the historical district which we all enjoyed. On Sunday, we saw the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall."

Mrs. Wheddon said the group was on their annual year seven and eight ski trip at Smugglers Notch in Vermont.

"We had gotten the girls up at 4 a.m. to catch the early flight from Burlington which left on time. We arrived at Philadelphia with plenty of time but heard from friends and family in Bermuda that the weather was bad.

"Two chaperones waited in line for two hours only to be told by a US Airways rep that the earliest flight we could get on was Tuesday."

Mrs. Wheddon said they were given a cheap rate at a hotel but it was very far from the airport. "The group leader, Mark Thorpe negotiated an amazing group deal at the airport Marriott. US Airways told us that they did not provide food vouchers or hotel vouchers.

She added: "One chaperone, Bob Simpson, lost his luggage and has since found out that it's in Cancun [Mexico]. He was not provided with any with any form of compensation, not even basic toiletries. He still has not received his bag."

Mrs. Wheddon said the girls coped with the situation well.

"We have had compliments from everywhere we've been about their positive spirits and impeccable manners. The chaperones have had to fund the extra days' meals, accommodation, travel and activities from their own funds with parents paying them back when we return. "We have maintained structure with regular lights out to make sure the girls remain rested and healthy."

The group is hoping to fly home today.