Hello, fellow nature lovers! This week, as we celebrate the magnificent beauty of our national parks, I want to share a deeply personal story about how these sacred spaces have not only changed but literally saved my life. When I was younger, the hustle and bustle of everyday life often seemed overwhelming. It was during these times that my family found sanctuary in the breathtaking expanse of the Great Smoky Mountains. Camping there wasn't just a getaway—it was our chance to breathe, to be together, and to connect without the distractions of our busy lives. In those mountains, amidst the whispering forests and misty peaks, I met my husband. The Smokies held a special place in our hearts, so naturally, it became a tradition to bring our daughters there for summer vacations. It was our special place, a backdrop to our family's happiest moments and milestones. Years later, in a decision that would redefine our lives, my husband and I chose to leave our "real jobs" behind. Inspired by our profound experiences in the parks, we embarked on a mission to bring the wonders of these natural sanctuaries to students and educators across the country. We wanted to share the healing power of nature, the thrill of discovery, and the calm that comes from simply being present in the wilderness. Being fully immersed in nature gives you pause, a rare moment to reflect on your purpose and to confront the essential questions of your existence. It’s in the quiet majesty of a national park that many find their path, or at least, a chance to tread gently on a path of renewal and introspection. It’s a place where your spirit can truly refresh and where you can rediscover the quiet joy of being alive. These experiences have taught me that being in nature doesn’t just change you—it transforms you for the better. In the words of Mary Berry, “The earth is what we all have in common.” Our national parks are a testament to this shared heritage, a reminder of our collective responsibility to cherish and protect these wonders. Our national parks are not just America's Best Idea—they are vital to our continued existence, serving as sanctuaries for every soul seeking peace and perspective. As we celebrate #NationalParkWeek, let's pledge to support, visit, and advocate for these incredible places. Let’s ensure that future generations can also stand atop mountains, gaze across vast forests, and find themselves transformed by the beauty of the natural world. Join me in celebrating the power of our national parks. Here's to finding ourselves, losing ourselves, and saving ourselves in the wild.
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Today, we shine a spotlight on Pullman National Historical Park, a site of rich history and vibrant community spirit. It has been an incredible journey with Pullman, both in our work and within classrooms across the nation.
🏫 Educational Impact: We've connected numerous classrooms to the powerful narratives that Pullman has to offer—both those widely celebrated and those previously untold. Through our partnership with the fantastic Ranger Alex, Ranger Ve'Amber and the dedicated PULL team, we've been able to integrate these stories directly into educational curriculums, enriching students' understanding of our shared history. 👩🏫 Teacher Engagement: Our initiatives have brought over 20 educators to Pullman, where they've not only learned about the park's significant past but also developed engaging content to take back to their students. This hands-on experience has empowered teachers to bring history to life in their classrooms. 🌟 Community Resilience and Sustainability: At the heart of Pullman's story is the incredible resilience of its community. These tales of strength and perseverance continue to inspire all who visit and learn about the park. It's a testament to the enduring spirit of the people who have shaped, and continue to shape, this historic area. Inspired by this, we are encouraging students to create sustainable communities in their own neighborhoods, modeled on the enduring legacy of Pullman. We're proud to work alongside the National Park Service and grateful for the opportunities to learn from and contribute to Pullman National Historical Park. Let's keep celebrating the stories that connect us and build futures rooted in resilience and sustainability! #NationalParkWeek #PullmanPark #HistoryLivesHere https://www.expeditionsineducation.org/pullman-national-monument.html Day 3: Today, let's discover the amazing Voyageurs National Park in Northern Minnesota. This park is special because of its connected water paths, many animals, and interesting tales.
Voyageurs National Park is a habitat for various creatures like loons and wolves, showing how important it is to have a variety of life and how we are linked to nature. By teaming up with Voyageurs Conservancy, the park provides learning sessions about its past and natural world, motivating guests to help with conservation work. During the evenings, the park's dim skies reveal an incredible sight of the stars, reminding us why it's essential to preserve natural darkness for animals and our health. Let's use the inspiration from Voyageurs' dark skies to highlight the effects of light pollution on nighttime animals and people's well-being. Through creative thinking, we can come up with ways to lessen light pollution in our neighborhoods, leading to a sustainable future. Together, let's admire the marvels of Voyageurs National Park and promise to protect its treasures for the next generations. Join us in safeguarding this exceptional place and encouraging others to do the same. https://www.expeditionsineducation.org/voyageurs-national-park.html Today, we're honoring the profound legacy of the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail. On this historic path, courage echoed louder than footsteps, as thousands marched for civil rights.
The Edmund Pettus Bridge stands as a symbol of resilience. On Bloody Sunday, brave souls faced brutality for the right to vote. Their unwavering spirit ignited a movement that reshaped our nation's history. Reverend Richard Boone's unwavering dedication to justice echoes through time. His widow, Mary Boone, continues his legacy, sharing his story of hope and perseverance. Together, they inspire us to stand up for what's right. Students, you can be a part of this powerful narrative! Contribute to a town mural and let your creativity tell the tale of courage, unity, and change. Your brushstrokes can ignite conversations and honor those who paved the way for a brighter future. Let's walk this trail together, remembering the past, honoring the present, and shaping a better tomorrow. Today marks the start of National Park Week, where we honor the beauty of nature. Let's embark on a journey through Indiana Dunes National Park in Indiana, by the shores of Lake Michigan.
Rangers Kip and Kim warmly greeted us, sharing their deep love for these natural wonders. They told stories of the park's history and stunning landscapes, inspiring us to protect these treasures for the future. They even introduced me to one of their favorite residents. Indiana Dunes isn't just a park—it represents the diversity of our nation. From sandy beaches to lush forests, its scenery reflects the colorful fabric of our country. It shows us that nature is welcoming to all. Let's take action together! As caretakers of our planet, we can make a positive impact. Students, picture a world where clean water is a reality for everyone. Join us in addressing this challenge by brainstorming wearable technology ideas to check water quality, starting with Lake Michigan. Your inventions could help our local environment and be used worldwide to ensure clean water access. Together, let's discover, learn, and inspire change. Join the cause to safeguard our natural wonders and build a better future for all. #NationalParkWeek #IndianaDunes #ProtectOurPlanet Indiana Dunes National Park This week marks the beginning of National Parks Week! As a team at Expeditions in Education, we are thrilled to commemorate the splendor and variety of the park sites in our nation. Throughout the past six years, we have extensively explored and showcased 162 distinct national park locations throughout the country, each presenting its own awe-inspiring vistas and invaluable insights. National parks transcend mere scenic beauty; they serve as dynamic outdoor classrooms that bring learning to life for students across the board. Every park narrates a unique tale, ranging from geological marvels to historical landmarks, offering an immersive educational experience unparalleled by any other. In the upcoming 8 days, we are excited to guide you through some of our most remarkable adventures. Today, our journey commences with the renowned Tidal Basin located within the National Mall and Memorial Parks. Come along as we delve into this scenic location, renowned for its cherry blossoms and rich historical background, and explore why it serves as an ideal launchpad for both education and inspiration. Keep an eye out for daily highlights, and let's ensure that this National Parks Week becomes an unforgettable one! 🌳 #NationalParksWeek #ExploreLearnInspire #ExpeditionsInEducation 🌳 This weekend was our final "Don't Lose Your Fire" retreat of the school year at Jimmy Carter National Historical Park. You better believe we didn't lose it, in fact we are more on fire than ever. Rangers, staff, volunteers, and people of Plains always show up to represent some of the best human beings. We have been working with JICA for the past three years, developing new content and introducing a whole new generation of students to the humanity of Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter. We hosted 10 educators from around the country this weekend to connect, collaborate, and create content for their butterfly gardens, museums, and boyhood farms. We would like to thank the Friends of Jimmy Carter and the park for hosting us and allowing us to remember and learn from the Carter legacy. We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.- Jimmy Carter During the school year 2023-2024, Crossing America embarked on an ambitious mission to actively involve students nationwide in the beauty of our national parks. By visiting schools and hosting LiveStreams, we directly interacted with over 100,000 students, while hundreds of thousands more engaged with our recorded events. Our collaboration with national parks, schools, communities, and park rangers was exceptionally outstanding. Together, we exceeded our expectations tenfold in terms of both participation numbers and partnerships. This remarkable project was made achievable thanks to the generous support of the National Park Foundation, to whom we express eternal gratitude. Throughout the year, we observed each participating school developing a stronger commitment to becoming guardians of our national parks. By nurturing a sense of gratitude and recognizing the value of these natural treasures, we left a lasting impact on the upcoming generation. Looking ahead to the school year 2024-2025, we are filled with eager anticipation and enthusiasm for the continuous expansion of our program and the deepening of our partnerships with schools, communities, and national parks. Together, we will persist in inspiring and enlightening future generations about the importance of safeguarding and treasuring our national parks for the years ahead. March 15, 1989-March 15, 2024: Today marks a day for reflecting on the path we didn't choose. This could have been the moment I made my retirement official, entering a phase of relaxation and leaving a legacy. However, fate guided us in a completely different direction. A few years ago, we took a risk by stepping away from the security of our careers, diving into an uncertain yet thrilling venture. It's fascinating how retirement, once a distant dream, has now become less important. But I have no regrets. Steve and I are leading a meaningful life, where financial retirement pales in comparison to the satisfaction we get from our daily work. I've realized that true wealth isn't just about money, but about having a common goal and enthusiasm, exploring different places, and collaborating with your closest companion. The idea of retirement now feels almost unfamiliar to us. Our days are filled with activities that don't feel like work, surrounded by a community that values more than just material success. As a result of this journey, we have redefined what it means to be 'wealthy.' We measure wealth not by the money in a retirement account, but by the moments of joy, love, and contentment that come from living a purpose-driven life. What shapes our unconventional approach to retirement? It's built on relationships and the simple joy of being actively involved in each other's lives. We hope that our story can inspire those considering following their passions instead of conforming to the usual path. The road less traveled may not lead to a typical retirement, but it can guide you towards a life filled with love, purpose, and the certainty that those we've touched will always have a place for us. And if we ever need a place to stay down the road, there's always the kids. 🤣 If you're interested in learning more about our work, feel free to explore our website! Day 1: This week, we're happy to be partnering with San Juan National Historic Site to facilitate the onboarding of 8 American Conservation Experience (ACE) interns from Puerto Rico! 🇵🇷 These talented interns bring a diverse range of experiences, from archaeology to wildlife biology to special education and beyond. During their time with us, interns will participate in project-based learning activities designed by Expeditions, focusing on sustainability and environmental protection in Puerto Rico. Today they've been hard at work designing sustainable structures to withstand environmental threats and crafting a plan to protect the endangered Puerto Rican Harlequin Butterfly. 🦋 But the excitement doesn't stop there! Tomorrow, we'll be bringing their passions to life as they design workshops, table talks, demonstrations, and presentations for special castle tours tailored for those with special needs, as well as wellness experiences for all visitors. They'll also delve into wildlife classes dealing with invasive species and explore connections to the indigenous peoples of Puerto Rico through immersive experiences. We're beyond thrilled to be here nurturing these young interns and helping them discover their passion and purpose at San Juan National Historic Site. Stay tuned for updates throughout the week! A thank you to Rangers Carlos and Kina for bringing us here to beautiful San Juan. hashtag#WherePassionMeetsPurpose Shoutout to our amazing American Conservation Experience interns at San Juan National Historic Site. (A special thanks to the Friends of San Juan National Historic Site for hosting us this week!) From crafting engaging activities for students to heartwarming moments like saving a cat together, they are truly off to a great start. Today, they shared stories, created some amazing activities for kids, sang a beautiful Spanish song, and made us laugh. ACE is knocking it out of the park with these exceptional interns here in Puerto Rico! Day 3: What a day at Friends of San Juan National Historic Site! With Rangers Kina, Joaquin, Jose, and Kassandra as our guides, we dove deep into the fortifications, history, and rich culture of this remarkable place. From the towering walls to the stories of resilience etched in every stone, we learned about the strength of the Puerto Rican people—a testament to their enduring spirit through storms and challenges. Excited to start creating content to share this incredible heritage with the world. And what a treat it was to be serenaded by the Washington Brass Quintet from DC! Huge thanks to the Friends of San Juan National Historic Site for making this unforgettable experience possible. Feeling grateful to work with national park sites across the country! Day 5: A heartfelt thank you to San Juan National Historic Site and the Friends of San Juan National Historic Site from educators across the country for the opportunity to collaborate on content creation at your park. 📚💡 We were able to create 30+ activities for the park to share. We are eagerly anticipating our next trip to this special place! Who's next? Well we are heading to Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area on February 29-March 3 and Jimmy Carter National Historical Park on April 8-11. Looking to book some new national park sites for next school year! |