Reflection: ROMO FOMO Was Real

A few years ago, one of our campers coined the phrase “ROMO FOMO” to describe the feeling of missing out on Rocky Mountain National Park week. And after this year’s experience, we can confirm—it’s real.

This summer, amidst flight delays and frantic arrivals, something beautiful unfolded: 18 campers came together, 12 of them brand new to STEAM in the PARK. What started as a group of strangers quickly became a family. And while we explored lakes and summits, tied flies, and searched for moose, the real magic was in the quiet kindness, the helping hands, the stories shared over cookstoves and campfires.

There is something undeniably peaceful about this place. The way the alpine breeze carries your thoughts a little further. The way the pines stand still while your heart gets stirred. And the way the ROMO rangers showed up—not just to teach, but to be with us. You could feel the camaraderie in every hike, every lesson, every firefly circle.

Each camper brought their own story—and some were heavier than others. One camper, in the early morning hours before departure, sent a message that reminded us why we do this work. She shared the weight she’s carried across six years of teaching—through pandemics, personal heartbreak, health scares, and healing. And then she said this:
"But I got here. I got here and none of that mattered. I was here. I was loved on. I was seen for who I was. I was validated. I was cheered on… SitP has allowed me to move past some of the yucky stuff I was still holding on to so tightly… I felt seen. I felt validated. I felt invigorated. I felt inspired."

This is STEAM in the PARK.
It’s not just about science and public lands. It’s about stories. It’s about showing up when life has tried to keep you down. It’s about finding your people under the stars and realizing that you don’t have to carry it all alone.

Rocky Mountain, you’ve once again lived up to the hype. And to all of our ROMO campers, thank you for being exactly who you are. We’ll never forget this week. And we know now—missing it really is something to fear. #ROMOFOMO forever.

#STEAMinthePARK #FireflyFamily #YouBelongHere