I’ve been lucky enough to have gone on four Alaska Geographic teacher expeditions. My teenaged kids have gone on two teen expeditions. Besides coming back from our trips thankful for a shower, all three of us would tell you the trips were fantastic fun and the highlight of our summer. Of my teenagers, one backpacked to Lost Lake and the other explored Culross Passage by kayak.
Denali National Park was the location for my first three trips. While staying at the Teklanika field camp and exploring that gorgeous Park, I learned about Project Learning Tree and lessons to pass on to my students. I also learned naturalist skills, journaling, and got a better understanding of climate change and the alpine tundra in the park. On my trip this summer I traveled to a far-off corner of Prince William Sound in the Nellie-Juan wilderness area. While camping on a spit and trying to enjoy the liquid sunshine coming down sideways, I learned about the heritage of Alaska Natives in the Sound, the history of the Forest Service there, glaciers, the Exxon Valdez disaster & climate change on the Sound. As someone who learns best by doing, these courses were my preferred way to learn.
Every course instructor has had a passion that was contagious. Every instructor shared ideas & loved what they did. After each course I’d return to the classroom with some wild idea of how I’d inspire my students to appreciate the natural world. From those ideas I’ve started a school garden, had students keep a nature journal on our weekly nature walks, organized a yearly outdoor learning day for the whole school, & taken overnight trips with my class to Denali National Park. I’ve gotten a small fire under my rear on each AKGeo trip to expose my students to the wonders of the outdoors. I am thankful for the learning, the adventures, and the great people I’ve gotten to meet. Each trip has been a reminder of why I love Alaska, why I teach, and how to make this world a bit better.