Tonight I’m sitting here in Yosemite, thinking about how this was our very last “first day” of STEAM in the PARK for 2025. What a place to close the circle.

The NatureBridge campus here is stunning—tucked into the forest, wrapped in quiet beauty. It’s still in stage one of development, so things are just beginning to take shape. Soon there will be more buildings and spaces, but for now it felt kind of magical to all pile into one big cabin together for the night. It was a little crowded, a little chaotic, but full of laughter and togetherness—the way camp should feel.

Then came the storm. By 3:00 in the afternoon the power blinked out, and it stayed out until 9:00. Six hours of darkness, thunder, and rain echoing across the valley. We leaned on lanterns and flashlights, but mostly on each other. When the lights finally came back on, we realized we hadn’t really missed them—we already had everything we needed.

The best part of the evening was sharing our campfire with 13 high school students from Stockton who are part of a program called WildLink. It’s designed to connect young people—many visiting Yosemite for the first time—to this park and to the idea that they, too, are stewards of these lands. Around the fire, stories and laughter passed easily between us, a reminder that the parks belong to everyone, and that connections like this matter.

And tomorrow… well, tomorrow we get to spend the day with none other than Shelton Johnson. I can’t think of a better way to honor this last camp than by learning from someone who has given his life to telling Yosemite’s story.

Here’s to the storm, the stories, the cabin, the firelight—and to all the “first days” that led us here.

Five days in Sitka reminded us of something easy to forget in today’s world: hope still lives where people choose to see one another fully.

In a country that often feels divided and weighed down by hate, we found ourselves standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Sitka—community members who welcomed us not as outsiders, but as neighbors. Together we learned, listened, and shared. Their generosity of spirit and openness gave us more than just experiences; they gave us hope.

If we only look at the world through the narrow lens of our own experiences, our vision will always be blurry and incomplete. But when we step into someone else’s story, when we allow ourselves to see through their eyes, something changes. Clarity comes. And with it, the kind of 20/20 vision that can only be built from compassion, curiosity, and connection.

Sitka showed us what it looks like when differences don’t divide but instead enrich. And we leave carrying the reminder that hope grows stronger every time we choose to see each other clearly. Our campers will forever be changed because of this experience.

Our final full day was bursting with curiosity, adventure, and community.

The morning opened with incredible ambassador-led sessions—sound mapping that tuned our ears to the landscape, “Nature’s Engineers” that revealed how animals build and adapt, and a thoughtful reflection that helped us pause and look back on all we’ve learned this week.

After lunch, campers dove into a whirlwind of experiences—snorkeling in clear waters, kayaking across the waves, dancing, whale watching, hiking forest trails, and even shopping for treasures to remember this place by.

This evening we slowed down, weaving camp bracelets as symbols of our shared journey and peering through pocket microscopes to discover the tiny world beneath our feet. We ended the night in the glow of a campfire—s’mores in hand, firefly ceremony lighting the dark, and gratitude filling the air.
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One more morning together—hearts full, spirits grounded, and stories ready to carry home.

Our second day in Sitka was packed with adventure and meaning. We began at the Fortress of the Bear, a remarkable rescue and education center dedicated to giving orphaned cubs a second chance at life.

Their mission is rooted in conservation, education, and compassion—turning heartbreaking beginnings into hopeful futures.
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Campers met the resident bears and got to know their names and stories: Lucky and Toby, two brown bears with very different personalities; Chaik, the curious black bear who always seems to be watching; and the playful siblings Smokey and Bandit, whose antics kept everyone smiling. Each bear’s story reminded us that wild animals need wild places—and that humans have a responsibility to help protect them.

From there, we traveled to Sitka National Historical Park, where towering totems line the forest trail. Ranger Liz welcomed us with warmth and knowledge, and she swore us in as official Junior Rangers. Right hands raised, campers made the pledge to protect and respect our national parks.

Afterwards, they set out on a scavenger hunt—spotting animals, studying carvings, and piecing together history along the trail. The prize? Stickers. And if you know teachers, you know how seriously we take our sticker collections.

The evening gave us time to slow down and create. Paintbrushes in hand, we practiced our painting skills, inspired by the stories and scenery around us. As the day faded, we came together to watch Out There: A National Parks Story, reflecting on the beauty of these places and the people who protect them.
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Tomorrow, our journey continues at the Sitka Sound Science Center, where we’ll dive into the wonders of marine science and the rich ecosystems of Alaska’s waters. Curiosity is buzzing, and we can’t wait to discover what’s next.​

What a start to our second-to-last camp of the summer! Every single camper made it to Sitka within 45 minutes of the planned arrival time—a small miracle when planes, ferries, and island weather are in the mix. It felt like the universe was cheering us on as we gathered together for this adventure.

In Sitka, walking is the way to travel. Though it holds the title of the largest city in the world by land area (4,815 square miles), there are only about 14 miles of paved road. That means our feet—and maybe a pair of sturdy shoes—are the best transportation we’ve got. Everywhere you turn here, it feels like the mountains tumble straight into the sea, and the rainforest breathes with life.

We are calling the historic Sheldon Jackson Campus our home this week, the same grounds where the Sitka Fine Arts Camp welcomes artists from around the world each summer. The place hums with history and creativity, and it’s the perfect backdrop for our time together.

Already today, wildlife has made its presence known. Bald eagles swooped overhead as if to welcome us. Sea otters bobbed in the harbor, cracking open shellfish with ease. We’ve spotted deer, ravens, and even caught glimpses of salmon running through the streams. On our wish list for the week? Bears, sea lions, and maybe—if luck smiles on us—the shimmering curtain of the Northern Lights. With tonight’s forecast calling for clear skies, we’re keeping our hopes high.

This is just the beginning. Tomorrow, we dive into the world of bears and step foot in our national park site here in Sitka. Adventure, science, and stories are waiting for us in every corner of this island.

Sitka, we’re ready.